How To Protect Yourself When Logging Into Government Websites
With identity theft on the rise, more and more government agencies require identity verification when accessing their websites. Using both a password and another secure method, such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), is a safeguard to make it difficult for others to access your information. The most common third-party Credential Service Providers are LOGIN.GOV and ID.me. We recommend our clients consider using one of the methods below, or another secure option, as we believe this will become mandatory very soon in the help to fight identity theft. For those of you who use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), you may have noticed MFA became mandatory effective October 19, 2023.
What is LOGIN.GOV?
LOGIN.GOV is a secure and private way for the public to access participating government programs such as federal benefits, services, and applications. With a LOGIN.GOV account, you can sign into multiple government websites with the same password. Some of the participants are the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of Personnel Management (USAJOBS), and Small Business Administration (SBA). When you try to sign in or create an online account with these agencies, you will be prompted to sign in or create an account with LOGIN.GOV before you can access your account with that agency. When creating an account, you will need a personal email address and a cellphone or computer that allows the download and installation of an authentication app.
For additional information about LOGIN.gov, visit:
https://www.login.gov/what-is-login/
https://www.login.gov/create-an-account/
To create a LOGIN.GOV account, please click on the participating government program:
https://www.va.gov/resources/should-i-create-a-logingov-or-idme-account-to-sign-in-to-vagov/
https://blog.ssa.gov/my-social-security-what-to-know-about-signing-up-or-signing-in/
https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/account/login-gov/
What is ID.me?
ID.me “Provides secure digital identity verification to government agencies and healthcare providers to make sure you are you – and not someone pretending to be you.” This identity verification method is also used by many of the same government agencies including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Social Security Administration (SSA), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to name a few. When trying to sign into a government agency account, ID.me may be another identity verification option. Once you create an account and complete Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), you will then verify your identity with Self-Service (most common) or Video call with an Agent. Both verification options will take at least 10 minutes to complete.
For additional information about ID.me, visit the links below:
https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/articles/8214940302999-Internal-Revenue-Service-and-ID-me
https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/articles/202673924-Creating-your-ID-me-account