We all know the person who gets a phone call from their distraught mother-in-law once a week because her phone has stopped working (the battery died) or her computer password won’t work (the caps lock was on). And if that person is you, those phone calls might become even more frequent starting next month.
As part of President Donald Trump’s effort to rid our government of fraud and waste, the Social Security Administration is cracking down on identification verification measures that some worry could adversely affect the elderly and those with disabilities. Beginning March 31, those receiving social security benefits will no longer be allowed to verify their identity over the phone to make changes to their banking information or make claims.
The agency will now require individuals to verify their identity through a two-factor authentication system on the “mySocial Security” online service. For those unable to navigate the web-based system, an in-person trip to an agency field office will be required…