Community Chat

[SharkE]

Guess it's legit. I got email today saying now as yet another security measure protecting your SS information you need to either give them your email or mobile phone #.

Since they sent you the email they got that information already. LOL

I never know what to believe any more.

[Shanus]

@SharkE. I'm always doubtful when anyone asks for additional info. Today's society w/ hacking and fake phone calls trying to get info just weirds me out!!! 

[hoosieroriginal]

@SharkE - be very careful - this could be a scam to get info - I've never received  any email from SS - ever!

[SharkE]

When they did that the last time it was legit, but, remember it didn't go over because lots of folks didn't even have cellphones, etc.  Some didn't have text enabled types of phones including myself.

Now, guess they just want your email for the oldy folks like me. I won't do anything, because they have the email, so, that's that.

Just wondered if anybody else got this same email. Course, I can always Google it and check it out too.

[tansy]

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@hoosieroriginal wrote:

@SharkE - be very careful - this could be a scam to get info - I've never received  any email from SS - ever!

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I've never had an email from SS either.  Any communication comes by snail mail.

[beckyb1012]

I got an email once years ago from Paypal saying I needed to change my login info. ect.  I noticed their address had one character difference than all the other emails I had ever received from them.  Called customer service on a landline and it was not them.  Still happens from time to time and sure enough there is just one slight little difference.  I do nothing and even just used a minute ago for an eBay purchase and have never been compromised.

[Pliqueajour]

@SharkE is correct, it's legit.

Social Security does send email by the way they've been doing it for a while.

http://time.com/money/4771314/social-security-website-two-factor-authentication-2/

5/9/17

Social Security's Website Is About to Make a Big Security Upgrade

US Social Security Administration headquarters, Washington, DC

If you have an online Social Security account, you will soon need to take an additional step to access your personal information.

In a move aimed at boosting protection for online users, the Social Security Administration as of June 10 will require two-factor authentication on its website.

That means in order to log into or register for a “my Social Security” account, you will need to not only use (or create) a username and password but also enter a code you receive by text message or email.

“Using two ways to identify you when you log on will help better protect your account from unauthorized use and potential identity fraud,” the agency says on its website.

The effort to beef up cybersecurity for Social Security accounts follows a similar move last year, which riled up some seniors and was quickly abandoned.

In that case, the security code was to be sent only by text message, and advocates for older Americans expressed concern that seniors who didn’t have texting capability or reliable cell service would be locked out.

(Users have already been able to sign up for two-factor authentication voluntarily, but the change makes it mandatory for all site users.)

The added email option makes the new change an improvement over last year’s effort, says Mary Johnson, a Social Security and Medicare policy consultant with the Senior Citizens League.

Current retirees can use online Social Security accounts to check their benefit and payment information, and to start or change direct-deposit arrangements.

Yet the website can be even more useful to people in their working years, by providing Social Security statements showing a user's earnings history and projected benefits.

That statement can be a key resource in deciding when to start benefits—and because of budgetary pressures, the agency now mails those statements to far fewer people than it used to.

[I am still oxox]

The info abut the changes are on my SS sign in page

[KingstonsMom]

I got the same email yeterday too.

[SaRina]

I've never received an email from SS, but even if I did, I would never ever respond via that email or by clicking on a link they provided.... even if it is legit.. If it's something that needs to be addressed, go to the SS website.