The Social Security Administration (SSA) has rolled out “enhanced technology” to detect suspicious activity in telephone claims or banking changes. The new technology will strengthen identification verification, preventing fraud.
The SSA had initially planned to roll out new identity proofing policies in March, but pushback from beneficiaries and advocates delayed it. The policies have gone through two changes so far. So, what are these ID proofing policy changes, and how will they affect you?
Fraudulent Phone Callers Stole Benefits
Previously, Social Security recipients could call the toll-free number to change their direct deposit bank information. But there’s a problem with using the phone. According to the SSA, approximately 40 percent of direct deposit fraud was due to someone calling the SSA to change banking information. And although SSA employees asked questions to verify identity, many thieves successfully stole people’s funds by diverting the benefits to other bank accounts or even Visa cards.
The SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) estimates that $33.5 million in benefits for 20,878 beneficiaries was misdirected from January 2013 to May 2018.
ID Proofing Policies Originally Delayed
On March 18, 2025, the SSA announced that beginning March 31, 2025, people would no longer be able to verify their identity over the phone. And if the beneficiary could not properly verify their identity through SSA’s “my Social Security” online service, they would need to visit a field office. According to the SSA, this new policy affected 73,229,000 people who received Social Security benefits.
Lee Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security, said in a March 18 press release, “For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity. Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service”.
But, there were complaints from recipients, congress, and advocates such as the AARP that there wasn’t an opportunity for the public to weigh in on the change.
On March 26, the SSA postponed the new ID proofing policy to April 14 to give a longer transitionary time. At that point, due to complaints, the policy was once more changed.
Hellbound and Down 