thedrifter
09-08-07, 09:06 AM
TSP stops using SSNs to identify participants
By Stephen Losey - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Sep 8, 2007 8:14:09 EDT
In an effort to boost data security, the Thrift Savings Plan will stop using Social Security numbers to identify its 3.8 million participants as of Oct. 1.
No longer will TSP use Social Security numbers to identify enrollees for administrative purposes in their internal computers, for paper monthly statements sent out to enrollees or as user names when enrollees log into their online accounts.
Instead, TSP users will be identified with randomly generated account numbers, the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board said in a Sept. 7 Federal Register notice.
TSP users will also have to start using passwords that day to access their accounts online instead of Personal Identification Numbers, the board said.
Users will receive their account numbers in September, the board said in an Aug. 16 posting on the TSP Web site. Users can create their own passwords or use a password generated by TSP’s computer.
But users should still hang on to their PINs if they want to use ThriftLine, TSP’s automated telephone service. Passwords won’t work when calling ThriftLine, the board said.
The board first announced its intention to stop using Social Security numbers in June 2006. TSP administrators were concerned that data breaches could put participants at risk of identity theft.
www.tsp.gov/
Ellie
By Stephen Losey - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Sep 8, 2007 8:14:09 EDT
In an effort to boost data security, the Thrift Savings Plan will stop using Social Security numbers to identify its 3.8 million participants as of Oct. 1.
No longer will TSP use Social Security numbers to identify enrollees for administrative purposes in their internal computers, for paper monthly statements sent out to enrollees or as user names when enrollees log into their online accounts.
Instead, TSP users will be identified with randomly generated account numbers, the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board said in a Sept. 7 Federal Register notice.
TSP users will also have to start using passwords that day to access their accounts online instead of Personal Identification Numbers, the board said.
Users will receive their account numbers in September, the board said in an Aug. 16 posting on the TSP Web site. Users can create their own passwords or use a password generated by TSP’s computer.
But users should still hang on to their PINs if they want to use ThriftLine, TSP’s automated telephone service. Passwords won’t work when calling ThriftLine, the board said.
The board first announced its intention to stop using Social Security numbers in June 2006. TSP administrators were concerned that data breaches could put participants at risk of identity theft.
www.tsp.gov/
Ellie