SOCIAL SECURITY GOES ONLINE WILL IT PUT YOU AT RISK FOR IDENTITY THEFT?
The Social Security Administration found a way to save $11 million every year. (Not bad, right?) The solution was simple: mail fewer Social Security statements. Everything is going electronic, and it made financial sense for the SSA to follow suit. The SSA will still mail paper statements, but only to people 60 or older who haven’t created an account online and aren’t yet receiving benefits. If that doesn’t apply to you, you’ll need to create a my Social Security account at www.SSA.gov/myaccount. When the SSA made this decision, they understood there would be some resistance from people who are averse to technology. The good news is, not only is the process quite easy, but it’ll actually offer you additional helpful features. You can only create a my Social Security account using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You cannot create or use an account on behalf of another person, even if you have that person’s written permission.
• Get a benefit verification letter.
• Change your address and phone number.
• Set up direct deposit of your benefit payment.
To create your account, you’ll need a one-time access code that can be sent to your email or cellphone. It’ll also ask you for other personal information such as your address, date of birth, and, of course, Social Security number. As with any online service, there are risks. Phishing emails encouraging you to create a my Social Security account are circulating on the internet. Phishing is the practice of using email to trick you into revealing personal information, clicking on a malicious link, or opening a malicious attachment. If you are not certain that an email you received came from Social Security, DO NOT respond to the email or click on any links contained in the email message. Instead, navigate directly to the Social Security website, www.socialsecurity. gov/, and click on the my Social Security icon. If someone is using your personal information to open accounts, file tax returns, or make purchases, give us a call. We can help you report and recover from identity theft. For more consumer information regarding identity theft visit IdentityTheft.gov. WATERMELON SALAD WITH FETA AND MINT
Once the account is set up, you’ll find it can be very useful to you. Among the new features are the ability to:
• Access, save, and print your Social Security statement any time.
• See estimates of the retirement benefits you may get.
Ingredients
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1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ pound feta cheese, crumbled (2 cups) • 1¼ cups pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped (optional) • 1 small sweet onion, cut into ½-inch dice • 1 cup coarsely chopped mint leaves
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon Tabasco
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
PET OF THE MONTH
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1 (8-pound) seedless watermelon, scooped into balls with a melon baller or cut into 1 ½-inch chunks (10 cups), chilled
Directions
Charlie joined Lauren’s family as a rescue when the previous owner deployed to Afghanistan. He is a good mix of his breeds — as strong as a pit bull, as energetic as a Lab, and as smart as a border collie!
1. In a large bowl, whisk the oil, lemon juice, salt, Tabasco, and pepper.
2. Add the watermelon, feta, olives, and onion. Toss gently. Garnish with mint and serve.
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