The Social Security Administration is preparing to require callers to go through online identity proofing requirements before they can complete certain transactions like changing their address with the agency over the phone.
The restrictions could push many needing assistance into SSA’s field offices as it expands the identity checks it put in place on direct deposit changes made over the phone in the spring.
SSA is now planning to require people to go online to get a one-time code if they want to request a claims status, change their address, get tax statements or get a benefit verification letter via SSA’s phone lines, according to agency documents posted on July 18. SSA wants to install the new checks, which it says are necessary to address fraud, by August 18.
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