Advertiser Disclosure

Credit Report Freeze Will Prevent You from Registering for Medicare Online

ElitePersonalFinance

Last Update: September 8, 2021 • Financial News •

To combat identity theft and increase security protocols, consumers often use credit freezes to keep outsiders from accessing their credit reports. When you contact one of the three major U.S. credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax – you can instruct it to ‘freeze’ your credit information, which it’s legally required to do within one business day. Making the process even more accessible, a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) mandate passed into federal law on September 21, 2018 – allows credit report freezes and unfreezes to be requested free of charge.

While the practice is advantageous from a security perspective, unintended consequences can occur.

The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) allows you to manage your benefits online via their online portal. This includes retirement, disability, and survivor’s benefits. However, the SSA requires you to create a My Social Security account to sign up for Medicare online. The downside of this arrangement is the SSA needs access to your credit report. And anyone with a freeze or fraud alert is ineligible.

Per the SSA website:

“You cannot create my Social Security account online if you have a security freeze, fraud alert, or both on your credit report. You first must ask our Identity Services Provider to remove the freeze or alert.”

Now, the ‘Identity Services Provider’ it’s talking about is Equifax. The SSA uses Equifax technology to protect its data and prevent fraudulent access to my Social Security user’s personal information.

So if You Find Affected by This New Policy, What are Your Options?

‘Unfreeze’ your credit report

If you contact Equifax directly, you can ‘unfreeze’ your credit report, which will allow you to sign up for my Social Security. You can do this through the Equifax website by registering for a myEquifax account and updating your personal settings. As a second option, you can contact the company automated telephone service at 1-800-349-9960 and request them to ‘unfreeze’ your report. You have to give your 10-digit PIN when the freeze was originally put in place. As a third option, you can also fill out the Equifax Freeze Request Form and send it to Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348.

Create my Social Security account in person at your local Social Security office

If you head to an SSA location, you can create a “My Social Security” account in person without being required to remove the credit freeze. Just make sure you bring documents that confirm your identity, age, and your place of birth. You also have to answer security questions. If you choose this option, the SSA recommends to call ahead of time and make an appointment to avoid a long wait period.

Am I Eligible to Apply for Medicare Online?

Online Medicare enrollment is right for you if:

You are at least 64 years and 9 months old.
You want to sign up for Medicare and currently have no Medicare coverage.
You do not want to receive other Social Security benefits at this time, and you are not currently receiving Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits.

Also note, the SSA recommends signing up for Medicare at least three months before turning 65, even if you’re not yet ready to receive other retirement benefits.

Why Should I Apply for Medicare Online?

Using the online portal has plenty of benefits, like faster processing and the ability to amend your application.

Other benefits include:

Saving time and money by not having to make in-person visits to your local Social Security office.
Having the ability to start and stop the application without fear of losing any information.
Having the ability to edit or correct the application before submitting it.
Electronic submission ensures faster processing.
After completing the process, you receive a receipt for your online application and print the document for your records.
You receive a confirmation number after the application is complete, enabling you to check your application’s status anytime.

What Happens After I Submit My Online Application?

Once the SSA receives your final application, the administration will review the documents and contact you if they need any additional information. If not, the application is processed, and the SSA eventually mails you a decision letter. All in all, it takes most applicants three weeks to receive their Medicare card after applying.

0 Shares

MEET THE AUTHOR

ElitePersonalFinance

Recommended Articles

Debt

Banks Make Hard Line With PPP Loans

EPF December 4, 2021

Debt

Credit Cards That Can Help You Earn a Free Vacation

EPF December 1, 2021

Debt

Deadline Nears for Final Monthly Child Tax Credit

EPF November 30, 2021

AS SEEN ON