[Boomer]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

A simple Internet search, on "Transition Your Social Security Account Today, will provide you with several explanations as to the fact this is a scam.

Originally Posted by Boomer

I just did that and 3 different hits said it is legit. One was the damned omnipresent AI that popped up its explanation immediately. I always go beyond AI though. The other two were a television station somewhere, and then a. relatively professionally done YouTube video that explained it.

Supposedly this transition is needed for those who created online accounts before September of 2021. I don't know for sure when I did that, but do remember the reason was due to issues with mail delivery when mail was being stolen from drop off mailboxes in my home city. (Postal carriers had been robbed of keys and all the keys fit all the mailboxes.)

If this is legit, it could have been better announced. With SS cuts in staff it is now more impossible than ever to get through by phone call.

I wish I could just switch back to mail-only now and take my chances. I will log on the old way and see if that is an option. The only time I use it is for my form at tax time.

Btw, the YouTube video says this has caused a whole lot of confusion. Of course it has, especially for those of us on SS who are highly vigilant about scams -- or should be.

It's a fine mess they've got us in now,, huh.

Boomer

First of all, earnest though they may be, most of this thread’s posts were the standard advice to never click on an unknown email link. Of course, I would never click on anything that makes me wary. I know 3 people who were scammed, and I never would have guessed it could have happened to any of them.

Bogie, my response to your “look it up” post (both quoted above) shows I found things that look legit saying the email is legit, so which is correct? In your post, you wrote there are “several explanations as to the FACT that this is a SCAM.” ……

But. But. But. I found several explanations that said it is not a scam.

I asked TOTV because I was hoping to find info here from those who had received this email, too. (And, btw, retiredguy123 is right in his post saying SS does send emails. Maybe it is just to those with online accounts. But emails SS does certainly send.)

So? Which answer is right, according to the almighty internet, in this fact-free society where we all now live?

Oh well, I don’t have time to click around and d _ _ _ around with this right now.

Boomer

[retiredguy123]

I log in to my ssa account by going to ssa.gov, enter my email address, and then my login.gov password. If you don't have a login.gov password, you can create on by going to:

secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email

Note that the login.gov password is a universal Government password that can be used for other Government websites, not just ssa. Apparently, some Government agencies are moving toward a more universal password system.

[manaboutown]

Upon checking my email files I found several old emails from SSA, including, on May 9, the "Transition...Today" one cited by the OP. It was legit.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I log in to my ssa account by going to ssa.gov, enter my email address, and then my login.gov password. If you don't have a login.gov password, you can create on by going to:

secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email

Note that the login.gov password is a universal Government password that can be used for other Government websites, not just ssa. Apparently, some Government agencies are moving toward a more universal password system.

So I have heard, retiredguy123. That universal Government password, suddenly needed, certainly will make things easier — but for whom or what?

When my imagination takes a leap, in some situations, song lyrics pop into my head.

For this universal password situation, for some reason, I am hearing Sting’s 1983 lyrics…….

“Every breath you take,
Every move you make,
Every bond you break,
Every step you take,
I’ll be watchin’ you.”

(shudder)

Boomer

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Boomer

So I have heard, retiredguy123. That universal Government password, suddenly needed, certainly will make things easier — but for whom or what?

When my imagination takes a leap, in some situations, song lyrics pop into my head.

For this universal password situation, for some reason, I am hearing Sting’s 1983 lyrics…….

“Every breath you take,
Every move you make,
Every bond you break,
Every step you take,
I’ll be watchin’ you.”

(shudder)

Boomer

The concept is "good", but it won't work. I would compare it to the mandated electronic medical records, which also doesn't work.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Boomer

First of all, earnest though they may be, most of this thread’s posts were the standard advice to never click on an unknown email link. Of course, I would never click on anything that makes me wary. I know 3 people who were scammed, and I never would have guessed it could have happened to any of them.

Bogie, my response to your “look it up” post (both quoted above) shows I found things that look legit saying the email is legit, so which is correct? In your post, you wrote there are “several explanations as to the FACT that this is a SCAM.” ……

But. But. But. I found several explanations that said it is not a scam.

I asked TOTV because I was hoping to find info here from those who had received this email, too. (And, btw, retiredguy123 is right in his post saying SS does send emails. Maybe it is just to those with online accounts. But emails SS does certainly send.)

So? Which answer is right, according to the almighty internet, in this fact-free society where we all now live?

Oh well, I don’t have time to click around and d _ _ _ around with this right now.

Boomer

Nor do I.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Boomer

First of all, earnest though they may be, most of this thread’s posts were the standard advice to never click on an unknown email link. Of course, I would never click on anything that makes me wary. I know 3 people who were scammed, and I never would have guessed it could have happened to any of them.

...

I asked TOTV because I was hoping to find info here from those who had received this email, too. (And, btw, retiredguy123 is right in his post saying SS does send emails. Maybe it is just to those with online accounts. But emails SS does certainly send.)

...

Then, with all due respect, why ask the question in the first place? If a hundred ToTV users reported receiving a legitimate email, would you then choose to click a link like that? That is exactly what scammers hope for.

The standard advice to not click an email link and go directly to an organization's known website is the best advice.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Boomer

So I have heard, retiredguy123. That universal Government password, suddenly needed, certainly will make things easier — but for whom or what?

When my imagination takes a leap, in some situations, song lyrics pop into my head.

For this universal password situation, for some reason, I am hearing Sting’s 1983 lyrics…….

“Every breath you take,
Every move you make,
Every bond you break,
Every step you take,
I’ll be watchin’ you.”

(shudder)

Boomer

Oh, for heavens sake. Some people have so much drama in their lives that it must be difficult for those people to manage anything.

Back to the SS question, call the office or go in person if you're not comfortable with the answers provided here. That's the nice part about being retired, there is time for the details in life. Another point to consider is that I have always had a long wait to speak with a SS representative when calling in to the office. I simply put the phone on speaker and continued reading, working on a current project or whatever until they respond. Hope you are able to harness the solution to your question.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

Upon checking my email files I found several old emails from SSA, including, on May 9, the "Transition...Today" one cited by the OP. It was legit.

OP Boomer here, manaboutown. While mannerly me must thank you for the validation, I must confess that I was hoping it was a scam. I was not about to do anything that could possibly screw up my SS but looks like choice is once again off the table.

I do not watch much so-called news lately because I value my sanity. But how could this one happen without widespread announcement through various media to tell us it was coming.

Boomer

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I log in to my ssa account by going to ssa.gov, enter my email address, and then my login.gov password. If you don't have a login.gov password, you can create on by going to:

secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email

Note that the login.gov password is a universal Government password that can be used for other Government websites, not just ssa. Apparently, some Government agencies are moving toward a more universal password system.

Small distinction: This is not a universal password that will work on many sites, this is an authentication system that can service multiple websites. Sort of like multiple sites accessing a Microsoft authenticator on your mobile device, you don't use the same password on multiple sites, you use one password on one service that multiple sites then trust.

Though for any that want to believe Big Brother is watching, it is certainly conceivable that login.gov could track which client sites requested authorization for you. How useful it would be for someone to know which Govt websites you looked at is anyone's guess.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Boomer

OP Boomer here, manaboutown. While mannerly me must thank you for the validation, I must confess that I was hoping it was a scam. I was not about to do anything that could possibly screw up my SS but looks like choice is once again off the table.

I do not watch much so-called news lately because I value my sanity. But how could this one happen without widespread announcement through various media to tell us it was coming.

Boomer

I watch the real news lately because I value my sanity. How is one to catch this "widespread announcement" if one isn't tuned in?

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Though for any that want to believe Big Brother is watching, it is certainly conceivable that login.gov could track which client sites requested authorization for you. How useful it would be for someone to know which Govt websites you looked at is anyone's guess.

I would guess that Apple, Google, Facebook, etc. know far more about any of us than a Govt website.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by Aces4

Oh, for heavens sake. Some people have so much drama in their lives that it must be difficult for those people to manage anything.

Back to the SS question, call the office or go in person if you're not comfortable with the answers provided here. That's the nice part about being retired, there is time for the details in life. Another point to consider is that I have always had a long wait to speak with a SS representative when calling in to the office. I simply put the phone on speaker and continued reading, working on a current project or whatever until they respond. Hope you are able to harness the solution to your question.

Oh my, yanked a chain? Rattled a cage? Who? Me? My allusions annoy? Got attention though, didn’t it? (Btw, that is allusions not illusions or delusions.)

I manage quite well, thank you. In fact, looks like I managed to get some direction, narrowing down my answer, by just checking this thread from time to time. Even though it was not the answer I wanted, it’s here now. So much easier than hanging around my phone all day.

Drama? HaHaHa. Not for me. I never invite drama into my real life. But in the drama that is often TOTV, certain characters never miss a cue, especially those who enter from stage right. Thanks for playing the predictable part.

And scene!

Boomer

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by Boomer

OP Boomer here, manaboutown. While mannerly me must thank you for the validation, I must confess that I was hoping it was a scam. I was not about to do anything that could possibly screw up my SS but looks like choice is once again off the table.

I do not watch much so-called news lately because I value my sanity. But how could this one happen without widespread announcement through various media to tell us it was coming.

Boomer

Glad I could help. Thank you for the thank you, Boomer.

Well, I have to limit my news watching time as well as so much of the news is so good if I spent more time watching it I would be stuck in an overjoyed state of constant elation and forget to eat, sleep and tend to my business which is doing great!

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

Well, I have to limit my news watching time as well as so much of the news is so good if I spent more time watching it I would be stuck in an overjoyed state of constant elation and forget to eat, sleep and tend to my business which is doing great!

Sarcasm noted.

Everything is not about money though.

At such an age, so what’s next……..

“Money is like manure. You have to spread it around to have it do any good.” The person who said that was not talking about tax brackets. He was talking about philanthropy. Philanthropy is a choice that speaks volumes about who someone really is. I believe we are all hardwired when it comes to handling money, but that hardwiring runs the gamut. There’s a lot being said about and by Bill Gates lately. . .But I digress. Imagine that.

Btw, there is a new book you might find interesting. The title is Marketcrafters: The 100 Year Struggle to Shape the American Economy by Chris Hughes, an economist. I saw the author interviewed on “The Daily Show” a couple of weeks ago. I sometimes get my “news” from Stewart.

Boomer