Social Security address change and scam

DEC-1982

Full time employment: Posting here.
Joined
May 7, 2015
Messages
678
Location
Atlanta suburbs
I searched the early retirement site and couldn't find out easily what I wanted. If the answer is already there, please point me there

Situation: don't have online account for SS or login.gov (special situation)
Not started SS

SS sends me a letter every February to my address.

Issue: what if somebody somehow changes my address in SS

I asked Mr Google a question and Mr Gemini (AI) said
Yes, if you change your address with Social Security, you will typically receive a confirmation letter at your new address verifying the address update; this is to ensure you are getting important notices and documents related to your benefits at the correct location.


But if a scammer somehow changed the address I wouldn't know about it. No letter to my current address. When I don't get the SS letter next February I would chase it down to find out why. But many months would have passed by then.

Any suggestions for reducing my risk, other than creating my online account or starting SS immediately?
 
I wouldn't start SS just to feel more secure about a scam. I did all of mine with an on line account and never considered the address change problem. I would assume the scam is being overblown in the media and your chances of being a victim is very small. I don't know if the post office has a no forwarding designation on your address but you might ask.
 
We just changed our address online and SSB mailed the confirmation letters to both our new and old addresses in additional to online email confirmation, which is pretty much the same for most major investment firms like Vanguard, Fidelity etc.
 
We just changed our address online and SSB mailed the confirmation letters to both our new and old addresses in additional to online email confirmation, which is pretty much the same for most major investment firms like Vanguard, Fidelity etc.
Exactly my experience.
 
xlf11 and Alan, thanks for clarifying that. As long as I get a letter about any changes, I am good. Big relief !!! Thanks.

Stupid Google was not giving the full information
 
The website Krebs on Security advises “planting your flag” on government websites which means creating accounts on Medicare, SS and IRS. This prevents scammers from creating on-line accounts in your name,
 
The website Krebs on Security advises “planting your flag” on government websites which means creating accounts on Medicare, SS and IRS. This prevents scammers from creating on-line accounts in your name,
Yes, I did this long ago.

You can’t create a Medicare account though until you are eligible to start Medicare and you do that through your SS online account.
 
xlf11 and Alan, thanks for clarifying that. As long as I get a letter about any changes, I am good. Big relief !!! Thanks.

Stupid Google was not giving the full information
I never trust the AI answers, and I verify any answers that Google gives are from reputable sources. I think it's a disservice that Google lists the AI answer first
 
Just one more thing about SSB address change: if you are on Medicare, you don't need to change it again as SSB will automatically change your Medicare address, which may in turn trigger your Special Enrollment Period for moving out of service area.
 
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