New social security fraud rule requires office vist

(CNN)– The wait at your local social security office could get longer due to efforts to combat fraud.

Tuesday, March 18, the Social Security Administration announced a change for people looking to file benefit applications who cannot prove their identities online.

They must now visit a field office to complete the claim in person.

Another revision bars beneficiaries from changing their bank account information over the phone.

The new anti-fraud rule comes at a time when the agency is aiming to cut around 7,000 employees from its workforce and close some offices.