The Social Security Administration will now require beneficiaries to prove their identity when claiming benefits or changing their direct deposit information to crack down on fraud, a change that could affect millions of recipients and applicants.
Beginning on March 31, beneficiaries will no longer be able to verify their identity on the phone. They will either need to register for a “My Social Security” account online or visit a Social Security office. The change will apply to both new applicants and existing recipients who are looking to change their direct deposit information.
The pressure to tighten fraud controls comes as billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is working to shrink the size of the federal government and seeks to root out fraud and waste. President Donald Trump and Musk have narrowed their focus on what they allege are improper…
