Cambridge seniors should seriously consider arranging for the direct electronic deposit for their Social Security checks (and other pension checks) in their bank accounts. The Cambridge City Council recently passed a resolution to encourage this practice.

Cambridge may not have the level of mail theft on "check day" that has recently been reported in other cities in the United States, but no senior citizen should have to endure the delay and hassle that occurs when a check is lost or stolen. As you can see from the "advertisement" McGruff, the crime dog is promoting direct deposit for the Social Security Administration.

Stan Vassallo, the manager of the Davis Square Social Security Adminstration office says that it can take from 5 to 10 days to obtain a replacement check when yours is lost or stolen. He also says that if the "check day" falls on a Saturday or Sunday you lose a day or two before you can cash the check sent to you through the mail. The direct deposit payments are placed directly in your bank account late Friday night. The funds are available to those seniors on Saturday morning rather than on Monday!

There are two simple ways to set up the direct electronic deposit of your social security check. You can call the Social Secuirty Administration at 1-800-SSA-1213 (1-800-772-1213) and authorize it. The other option would be to visit your own bank and they will arrange the change for you. Your monthly bank statement will clearly indicate that the direct deposit was received and credited to your account.

The Consumers' Council and the Council on Aging want to join the City Council's call to Cambridge seniors to use direct deposits for their own security and convenience!

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