You can't create a mySocialSecurity on-line account if your credit is frozen. (social security, state)
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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.
SSA uses data from the credit bureau; to prevent Identity theft. The question to verify who you are come from the EDI interfaces SSA has to the Credit Bureau's If you have your credit locked, they can't access the data. So they can't create an account online, You need to go in person with 2 or 3 ID's to prove who you are.
So the Social Security representative told you that you could accomplish your goal by going into a SS office, but for some reason you just know that won't work. Really? Without even making the effort? As the previous poster said, you will need to provide some tangible ID in order to establish the account. This will have to be done in person. At the SS office. Why are you so sure it won't work?
Go into the office. They will help you and are willing to do so. Sorry for the problems with SS online. I have never frozen my Experion or other acct, so I believe you must have more problems than I that are very worrisome.
I'll go in. It will mean that I'll have to take off work to do so. My passport, drivers license, and work IDs from NASA and my teaching job should be enough to verify my identity.
I froze my credit because my wife was a victim of identity theft and it was a real mess to get it cleaned up. Her credit affected my credit, so it was worth the years of effort it took to rectify the situation. Today, nothing goes into the trash with my name on it, unless it is shredded first.
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.
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
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?
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Going to a Soc. Sec. office in person
