The Social Security System (SSS) warned on Monday, Dec. 13, its members applying for a Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card not to transact with online fixers "to avoid any inconvenience."

"The SSS is the only authorized institution that accepts applications and issues UMID Cards for its members working in the private sector," SSS President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio said in a statement.
"The biometrics data capturing, which is an important process in the issuance of UMID Cards, is currently done only through our branches. We are reminding our members to refrain from transacting with fixers to avoid any inconvenience," Ignacio stressed.
SSS also reminded its members to set an appointment first with their preferred branch using the Appointment System is the My.SSS Member Portal to minimize their risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Qualified to apply for the SSS-issued UMID Cards are members with at least one posted contribution.
UMID Cards are free of charge for first-time applicants, but those who lost their UMID Cards or need to update them will have to pay a P200 replacement fee at the SSS branch.
Meanwhile, members who applied for an SS Number online starting Dec. 10, 2020, will no longer fill out a UMID Card Application form and just need to set an appointment with their preferred SSS branch for biometric data capture and present their printed SS Number application and transaction number slip.
The state-run insurance agency also advised its members of delays in the production and availability of UMID Cards "until further notice."