ID.me

Already had an ID Me acct. Tried to use it to sign in to view my SSA notice mentioned in an official email (I had done so successfully in the past). After entering username & info, I was informed further information was required to confirm my identity. Ok; kind of like signing up for direct deposit; front & back of drivers license then a biometric video face scan(?). After this, I got an "unsuccessful" reply with options (seek help, redo). I just went back, tried again using username/pw combo; got right in. Checked the statement. New this time was a multi paragraph list of conditions and cautions including one paragraph saying no responsibility for any use of my personal information whether for official purposes or any other reason. I probably should have stopped when I read that but I didn't.
I'm pretty used to online sign-in routines. This one was pretty bad. I feel sorry for folks who are less computer savvy having to navigate this system. Do better.

I applied to ID. Me on Sunday afternoon, and after completing all the online information was given an estimated time of 15 minutes to connect with an agent. This was updated to 21 minutes, and counted down from there. The agent explained everything thoroughly and initiated a Zoom call on my cellphone to go through the verification process. Uploading the documents to the site was very easy. To be honest, I was happily surprised at how smoothly and well thought-out the whole process is.

My desktop computer is 10 years old and I just haven't gotten to a place to trade it in for a new one. I had already set up an account because I was or am having issues with being able to research my training papers and the like. After 3 times of being like a nurse giving a flu shot, I kept trying to get into the system and each time it gave me an ERROR 90, that had something to do with a 3rd processor or initialization from one site to another. I'm just not sure anymore could be done, but I did try calling their help number, but of course they were closed. I will just have to wait until the week starts up.

Personally found ID. ME difficult to find my way through the software — I cannot say it is user friendly. Rather, I see the software as a necessary evil given all the fraud and on-line abuse that is so prevalent. At age 80 years of age, some of my difficulty may be due to my own cockpit error and inability to click on the correct area to move forward in the application. I would find myself puzzled saying, "what makes it GO from here?" Given my goal to verify that I am not one of the fraudulent Social Security users, even after jumping through the hoops to find myself logged onto the SSA web sight, there was no apparent button to push that confirmed that I was in-fact verified….

If you don't have "Zoom" downloaded, you'll need to do that. ID. Me doesn't tell you that ahead of time, so after and hour of waiting, you get an impatient agent, who condescendingly tells you to "Ask and friend or neighbor to help you with your technology" and then hangs up. You have to download, and learn how to navigate Zoom before you call back. If you've never used it, there's a learning curve, which you have to battle the agent for more time whilst figuring it out, otherwise, another hang up and more time wasted...

Had already been confirmed as a valid public safety worker a couple of years ago but hadn't used the service in a while. Clicked on a offer and was prompted to validate my status. The form was simple and easy to fill out with very specific groups to choose from. I located my particular field, uploaded a current certificate from a nationally recognized association that our agency uses for annual and bi-annual training and received approval from ID. Me within minutes.

Here is what I wrote in response to their survey:
I go through all your BS and then I can't log in with my credentials. You make it VERY confusing as to what my username should be and then a password. How about using industry standards for your nomenclature and procedures. So I wound up snail mailing my document to the IRS because my time is valuable and I wasted more than 30 minutes screwing around on your sucky system. And NO, I do not feel at all secure about my information being in your hands especially when you say it is my obligation to watch out for fraud. How did you ever get the contract for the crap you developed if your not responsible for the integrity of it. I would write my congressmen but they are the fools who let you do this worthless stuff.

There were numerous steps to the verification process to access some tax forms. I was doing all this on my i iPhone. I don't have access to my computer, my hands shake, and I don't understand how to return to my open browser. Which was the final command. I had a spasm right then too and there were no second chances to fix anything. No arrows along the way. That means no feedback as you enter information. I never did get through. Very frustrating process for an oldster.