From Emergency Message EM-20006:
Beginning February 29, 2020, SSA will be offering enhanced registration/identity-proofing methods to a limited number of specially selected potential customers. Emails will be sent to this limited group of ‘customers,’ inviting them to go online and create a my Social Security account.I don't understand. A limited number of people would have the opportunity to go to the trouble of uploading personal information. What's in it for them? Why would they do it?
We plan to release methodically this enhanced functionality. The first phase will include Social Security employees, friends, and family. The enhanced registration process through electronic access (eAccess) will introduce the verification of state issued identification documents (driver’s licenses, learner’s permits, state identification cards) and verification of digital addresses (email address and cell phone numbers). All accounts created through the link provided in the invitation email will be Extra Security accounts; therefore, financial verification may also be required online.
Beginning February 29, my Social Security will allow this limited group of customers to: · Take a photo of:
· Manually type the ID information (name, date of birth, ID#, issue state) plus financial evidence (Credit card number, W-2/Self-Employment information, direct deposit amount), or
· the front of the state issued Identity Document (ID – driver’s license, learner’s permit, or state identification card)
· the back of the state issued ID
· his or her face (selfie), or
· Answer Out-of-Wallet quiz questions plus financial evidence. In the first phase of this rollout, any customers receiving an error message during registration will be directed to send an email to the following address: mysocialsecurity.registration.support@ssa.gov
If any representatives from the FOs or on the N8NN receive any inquiries about the new registration process, send an internal email to: ^mySocialSecurity Registration Support
NOTE: Assist current my Social Security account holders and customers who register via the original registration path with the current policies in place.
Direct all program-related and technical questions to your Regional Office (RO) support staff or Program Service Center (PSC) Operations Analysis (OA) staff. RO support staff or PSC OA staff may refer questions, concerns or problems to their Central Office contacts.
POMS will be updated later due to several system releases in the upcoming months. POMS will be published with all-inclusive information from each of the releases planned. We will continue issuing EMs to assure everyone has the necessary information before these publications.
I'm guessing a pilot program to reduce online fraud including claim filing. Maybe will improve authentication of identity?
ReplyDeleteHmm, in the private sector it is pretty normal for individuals to opt in to beta programs for no compensation, just basically to see what is going on. That's what this appears to be.
ReplyDeleteMight work. I don't really see the harm in it, and it sounds like maybe there will be greater security in the long-term. I think the part that is confusing is there's no announcement that once information is uploaded, then anyone attempting to use the individual's identity will be expected to possess additional information, which enhances security. But those measures are not announced yet.
On a related note, has SSA discussed two-factor authentication at all? It's becoming a pretty standard technique and is relatively simple to implement.
The point is that you get to become a more relevant participant in the Unitary Executive than you would otherwise be if you remanined passive. You truly get to feel the strength of this progressive and modern 21st century political ideal. This creates a strong parasocial emotional connection to the Presidency. Experiencing such an emotional connection should increase your immune system, which will be helpful in fighting off the coronavirus.
ReplyDeleteFor some people, it probably really feels like you are in Trump Tower or in Mar-a-Lago itself.
I think what they are trying to do in the long run is make the MySSA set up easier. I am not sure if the numbers of online registration failures is available, I didn't take the time to search for it. I assist between 200 and 250 people a year in setting up both the MyMedicare and MySSA accounts. The MyMedicare is pretty straightforward and easy. The MySSA setup can be very difficult at times, as some of the required security questions are very difficult to manage. (questions on old bank accounts, mortgages, addresses and even phone numbers) Some of the people I assist are disabled, the remainder are approaching retirement. If they are poor historians or have a cognitive condition registration is very complicated.
ReplyDeleteAs the population ages and we move into the end of the Baby Boom we are seeing people that are a little more comfortable with computers and getting through these types of processes. Moving forward and easier system of verification of identity will be needed. Real ID has its own problems and can prove difficult for those who have had name changes due to marriage/divorce or other issues.
Hopefully this is a step to a future that is easier and more secure making doing some of the mundane business with SSA easier by offering an online option.
Love the guesses posted here.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pilot test of a way to enroll people online with MySSA with increased security via stronger identity authentication. These are all indicators of an attempt to improve security, deter fraud by strengthening the online identity proofing done to set up a MySSA account. Such accounts may indeed then be allowed to do things online other accounts cannot do. Anyone filed their 2019 taxes using an online provider? Notice the need to provide a drivers license number to be able to do so? Same kind of thing. Clearly financial questions (like from Equifax) are out of wallet, and the ID information (especially if the DL is Real ID certified) are all set up to stop folks from setting up accounts on other people's SSNs. And subsequentially step up the kind of activity permitted by those customers as well.