You can't create a mySocialSecurity on-line account if your credit is frozen. (separate, husband)
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Well . . . this is interesting. Why does the Social Security Administration need access to my credit bureau account information?
Since they no longer send yearly account statements of earning and potential benefits based on year of retirement, and that I just turned 62 and can receive benefits if I so chose to do so, I tried to sign up for the new on-line mySocialSecurity system.
After filling out all of my very personal information, I checked the "accept terms" box and hit the next button. It came back saying that they cannot create an account for my social security number with a "contact us" hyperlink. I telephoned the supplied 800 number and after going through all the "press 1 for english" and other options, I was told that the wait time would be approximately 17 minutes.
Fifty-two minutes later, a helpful gentleman comes on line and asks how he can help. After again giving him my very personal information, he tells me to wait and goes away for a couple of minutes. He comes back on and says that since I have my Experian credit account frozen, I cannot create a mySocialSecurity account.
I'll either need to un-freeze that account or go into a local Social Security Administration office. I'm not about to un-freeze my account, (frozen for identity theft prevention purposes), and am doubtful how helpful a local office would be.
For those of you desiring to create a mySocialSecurity account and have frozen your credit . . . you're out of luck, it seems.
We froze the online SSA. Had too many problems with it trying to sign off. [I worry more over them than the Credit Bureaus! I have no problem just going to an SSA office.] Make an appt!
Originally Posted by volosong So . . . I went into my local SS office yesterday. After waiting for two and a half hours, I was finally able to see someone. Yeah! That's why I didn't want to have to go into a office. The waiting line was just like going into the DMV. When my number was finally called, a very nice lady helped me and complimented me on using the web to try and get this done, and understood completely why I wasn't able to complete my application.
I asked why the SS office needed to access my credit accounts and she said that they use the personal information contained in the credit account to verify who I am. Stuff like what city you were born in, mother's maiden name, current residence, etc. For identity theft purposes. I told her that this was the exact reason I have my credit frozen . . . to guard against identity theft.
She set me up with the mySocialSecurity account, but could not complete the process. The sheet she gave me has a one-time access code to complete the on-line application. Good enough! I just hope I never have to go into an office again. It's been a long, long time since I've had to wait for hours to get service of one type or another.
One thing that greatly surprised me is the demographics of the others in the waiting room. I had expected a lot of older folks, just like me - only "older". Instead, the overwhelming majority were young!!! I asked my service lady about this and she said it was mostly "disabled" people...or people claiming a disability. She said that just because they come in and claim a disability doesn't necessarily mean that they will get any money. It's nice to know that they are on the lookout for fraud.
On the ID I took in... I took my passport, drivers license, government issued ID, and school faculty ID. She just glanced briefly at the passport and the employer IDs. She took most of the information and spent the most time with the drivers license.
Thanks for doing the legwork and all the info - I'm in the same boat as you. Frozen credit and not allowed to sign up online
When I tried it about a year ago -after I got the "contact us" hyperlink, I just gave up since I have a few years to go until 66. But maybe I'll make an appointment now that I retired early and have the time
Update - never made an appointment, but happened to be driving by the local SS office today, so pulled in. Almost gave up when I saw the packed waiting room, but no one was in line to get the next number.
So ... my number was timestamped at 2:24 PM.
They locked the doors at 3 PM so no one else could come in (listed hours are 9 AM to 3 PM)
They called my number, I gave them my passport and driver's license, and wow ... I was getting in my truck at 3:20. Less than an hour. And now I never need to go back
(And the SS people get goofy/funny after the doors are locked, LOL! Kept me entertained for the last 15 minutes.)
So . . . I went into my local SS office yesterday. After waiting for two and a half hours, I was finally able to see someone. Yeah! That's why I didn't want to have to go into a office. The waiting line was just like going into the DMV. When my number was finally called, a very nice lady helped me and complimented me on using the web to try and get this done, and understood completely why I wasn't able to complete my application.
I asked why the SS office needed to access my credit accounts and she said that they use the personal information contained in the credit account to verify who I am. Stuff like what city you were born in, mother's maiden name, current residence, etc. For identity theft purposes. I told her that this was the exact reason I have my credit frozen . . . to guard against identity theft.
She set me up with the mySocialSecurity account, but could not complete the process. The sheet she gave me has a one-time access code to complete the on-line application. Good enough! I just hope I never have to go into an office again. It's been a long, long time since I've had to wait for hours to get service of one type or another.
One thing that greatly surprised me is the demographics of the others in the waiting room. I had expected a lot of older folks, just like me - only "older". Instead, the overwhelming majority were young!!! I asked my service lady about this and she said it was mostly "disabled" people...or people claiming a disability. She said that just because they come in and claim a disability doesn't necessarily mean that they will get any money. It's nice to know that they are on the lookout for fraud.
On the ID I took in... I took my passport, drivers license, government issued ID, and school faculty ID. She just glanced briefly at the passport and the employer IDs. She took most of the information and spent the most time with the drivers license.
- - - - -
She did print out a statement showing how much I'd get, a monthly figure by year between now and when I'm 66 and then monthly thereafter until I'm 70. WOW! It sure pays to wait. I'm going to have to re-think everything. Waiting until 70 would actually provide me with an income that will make things a lot easier.
You can schedule an appointment. Bh did and was seen within 10 minutes of the scheduled time.
However all the information given him by the ss worker was bogus. He was 100% wrong.
Called to make another appt elsewhere and was given one 4 months out.
The phone responder told us the first appt person was incorrect. STILL waiting for answers.
A credit freeze does not prevent companies/entities from looking at your credit report, it only prevents opening new credit accounts. There is no reason why social security would need full access to your credit report since they are not granting credit. Typical government stupidity.
They can only do a soft hit. I tried to up my line of credit with my chase card and they couldn't access my credit report. For social Security, I only unfroze one credit report.
While I agree with Volosong that it is inconvenient, I recognize the necessity to use some type of verification process; although using a credit agency is a bit "iffy" IMHO. Unfreezing your credit report temporarily to apply is not the end of the world as you can refreeze it right away. I had to go in to the SSA office because I didn't want to pay the $3.00 to unfreeze / freeze my report at the time. THANKS to the writer, I know it is Experian, which is the best of the three to work with. Although Experian will grant a "single-use PIN without a fee; I'm not sure if it will work for the SSA. I'm thinking not, but for convenience, $3.00 isn't bad, at least for me.
If you live in a large city, don't go to the biggest office. A neighbor told me about one in my area that was off the beaten path and she never had to wait longer than ten to fifteen minutes as opposed to the main one downtown where everyone went. But if you do want to go to the main office because it's more convenient, make an appointment. They encourage you to do so. I did that and I just waited about ten minutes and sailed ahead of all the walk-ins.
I'm not sure if it is this way everywhere but in Sacramento you can't pick and choose which office to go to, you go to the one closest to your home, if you go to a different one they will redirect you to the right one.
I'm sure sorry the OP had to wait so long to get his business transacted at the SS office. However, my personal experience has been more favorable. Two or three times over the past several years I have walked in to the local SS office without an appointment. Never did I wait for more than 30 minutes to be served. I think a lot can depend on which office it is as well as the day of the week and the time of day. But I agree with making an appointment - why take the chance that you will have the long wait times?
Never had to wait more than around 45 minutes myself.
I'm not sure if it is this way everywhere but in Sacramento you can't pick and choose which office to go to, you go to the one closest to your home, if you go to a different one they will redirect you to the right one.
Not the case in NJ at all. Crazy. What if you want to go to the office after work? That's stupid but waht can you expect from the gubmint?
You can schedule an appointment. Bh did and was seen within 10 minutes of the scheduled time.
However all the information given him by the ss worker was bogus. He was 100% wrong.
Called to make another appt elsewhere and was given one 4 months out.
The phone responder told us the first appt person was incorrect. STILL waiting for answers.
That sounds familiar. I've been given wrong information by those ignorant bozos more than a handful of times. I was once actually told, "I'm not responsible for what someone else told you."
Typical government. Not responsible for anything except tossing money into the sewer.
how to quickly set up a my account for a son just turned 18 disabled with autism sence birth. also need surviver benefits as his dad passed away. the system keeps saying electickly locked and wont let me set up account
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