New security measures withdrawn from Social Security Website.
The Social Security Administration recently shut down new security measures on its Website after learning they were less than user friendly, according to the ABC News article “Social Security Rolls Back Security Measures on Website.”
The requirement Social Security chose is a common one for many banks and other financial institutions. In addition to entering a username and password, website users are also required to enter a one-time code to access their accounts. The codes are sent to users via a text message on a phone previously verified to be the account holder’s. The codes normally expire after a short time.
While this has proven to be a good security measure, it is easy to see how it might not work well for everyone who wants to access their Social Security account online. People who do not have cell phones or who have trouble reading text messages would obviously have difficulty.
Social Security website users who still wish to have the extra layer of security may opt-in to the option for now. No announcement has been made if the requirement will come back in the future or if the Social Security Administration will try a different security option.
Reference: ABC News (Aug. 23, 2016) “Social Security Rolls Back Security Measures on Website.”
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