Social Security System (SSS) President and CEO Michael G. Regino today urged members, pensioners, and employers of the state-pension fund to secure their login credentials on the My.SSS portal and other personal information to protect their accounts from fraudulent transactions.
Regino issued the reminder following several complaints from SSS members that their accounts with the My.SSS were being subjected to fraudulent transactions perpetuated by scammers and other unscrupulous persons.
One of the reasons why such fraudulent transactions occur, SSS insiders noted, was the tendency of some members to share their login credentials with unauthorized persons. These login information, Regino noted, should be kept confidential by accountholders to protect themselves from scammers.
Regino likened the SSS login credentials to the Personal Identification Number (PIN) that bank depositors use to access their accounts at the Automated Teller Machines (ATM). An ATM card PIN is a multi-digit number required at bank ATMs for carrying out transactions and is initially provided by the banks. This PIN can be reset or changed to a new PIN by the card owner but is kept as a strictly confidential information by the user.
“We have asked our stakeholders not to share their usernames, passwords, and other login details on their My.SSS accounts to unauthorized individuals. Giving your username and password to another person is like sharing your ATM PIN,” Regino said. “Anyone with this information could use your My.SSS account to avail of monetary benefits without your authorization.”
The SSS chief cited a case wherein a member sought the assistance of another person while trying to create and access his My.SSS account on the Internet. It turned out that the person from whom the SSS member sought for help is a fixer and scammer who later drew a salary loan from the account without his knowledge.
Regino also advised members not to entertain unofficial online groups in various platforms, like Facebook, that allegedly offer easier access to SSS online accounts and provided technical assistance for a fee to loan-seekers.
“We do not recognize these unofficial online groups, even those found on Facebook. We consider them illegal, and they cannot facilitate SSS transactions on behalf of our members,” Regino said.
He added that online transactions and services offered by the SSS portals are free, except when a member is requesting for a replacement of the Unified Multi-purpose ID Card (UMID), which carries a minimal fee.
Regino said members may visit the E-center in local branches and they will be assisted by SSS employees in their online transactions. “All our branches have an E-center containing several computers connected to the Internet. We have employees stationed there who are ready to help our members in creating and accessing their My.SSS account as well as guide them navigating and using the online portal for their transactions.”
Regino said the SSS management also regularly update its online facilities, such as the My.SSS Portal and SSS Mobile App, to better serve its members. In 2021, the Mobile App was redesigned to make it more user-friendly and easier for members to navigate and conduct their online transactions through mobile phone facilities.
He also reminded members, pensioners, and employers that they cannot be held accountable for fraudulent transactions once a member connives with a fixer.
Under Republic Act No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, and Republic Act 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018, make it illegal for members to engage the services of fixers.
SSS works closely with law enforcement agencies to curb the illegal activities of fixers. “We are determined to file charges against them who are taking advantage of our members and employers,” Regino concluded.
They may report these fixers or scammers to the Special Investigation Department (SID) through e-mail at [email protected] or at (02) 8924-7370.