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Safeguarding the security and privacy of our participants' retirement plan accounts and personal information has always been a top priority at Mutual of America. In this hi-tech age, the fraudulent use of Social Security numbers has increasingly become a major source of privacy concern in the U.S. That's why the Company is instituting a new policy to further protect our customers.
Beginning later this year, participants will no longer use their Social Security number in combination with their Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access account information online or by phone.
In its place, Mutual of America will automatically assign each participant a unique nine-digit Customer Identification Number (Customer ID). The Customer ID, along with the PIN, will provide participants with secure, direct access to their account information through the 'My Account' section of our Web site, as well as through our toll-free Call Center (1-800-468-3785).
"Mutual of America has always been focused on security," says Robert Giaquinto, Executive Vice President. "These days, with the concerns that Americans have about privacy, and to broaden our already highly secured systems, we decided to introduce the Customer ID."
Adds Howard Rubin, Senior Vice President of Software Development, "Since the Customer ID will be a randomly generated number, it will have absolutely no connection to the participant's Social Security number."
Participants who are not eDocuments subscribers will receive their wallet sized Customer ID card in the mail prior to this change and should keep this new number in a handy place for future reference. eDocuments subscribers will be notified by e-mail.
Added Flexibility with User ID
Mutual of America recognizes the importance of flexibility along with security—and how vital it is for our participants to gain instant access to their account information at any time of the day. That's why, in addition to the Customer ID, they can also create an easy-to-remember User ID to access their account. In fact, this option is already available in the My Account section of mutualofamerica.com through the 'Create/Change Your User ID' link.
"We made it very simple for participants to create a User ID," says Rubin. "In fact, it takes just seconds to do."
Of course, whether participants use their Customer ID or User ID as their primary method for identification, they have even more protection thanks to the PIN that they will continue to enter along with their Customer ID or User ID.
Our Commitment to Security
Mutual of America seeks to ensure the privacy and protection of its customers' personal and account information. The Company has had long-standing policies and safeguards in place designed to restrict the use of Social Security numbers. These include eliminating or limiting the use to the last four digits of a participant's Social Security number on communications such as financial statements and other documents sent through the mail.
If you have questions regarding the new Customer ID policy, or your account in general, please contact your local Regional Office.