Your Social Security number is one of the most sensitive pieces of personal information you have. Too bad yours (and mine and every other American’s) was probably leaked and sold on the Dark Web.
Before you panic, there are some steps you can take right now to protect yourself and your identity.
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Is it really that important?
It sure is. Your Social Security number is the key to the castle. It is the unique identifier that connects your financial, government and personal records.
With your SSN, criminals can open credit card accounts, apply for loans, hijack your tax refunds, use your government benefits, or even apply for jobs.
There is an easy step you can take.
In this photo illustration, a Social Security card sits next to U.S. Treasury checks on October 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
To protect your Social Security number, use the government’s free service. Self-lock feature. This tool prevents your SSN from being used for unauthorized employment verifications. You will need a Electronic verification account to do this online.
You can also request a block by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. Expect to wait on hold for a long time.
Stay proactive
The Social Security Administration also provides online access to your earnings and benefit history through its my social security account. It’s free to use and you can get an account even if you don’t receive benefits.
I recommend that you check this once a year to make sure nothing is happening. Check the reported income and confirm that everything lines up with your actual work and benefits history.
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Please note that if you created a Social Security username more than 3 years ago, you will need to create a Login.gov account or use an ID.me account.
Registration flags
How do you know if your SSN is in the hands of someone else? Let me count the ways…
Unexpected bills or bills: Receiving bills or statements for accounts you never opened is one of the most obvious signs that someone is using your Social Security number. Thieves can use your SSN to open credit card accounts, apply for loans, or even set up utilities in your name.
If this happens, contact the company immediately and report the fraudulent activity. At this point, it is also essential to freeze credit.
A woman uses a laptop on April 3, 2019. (ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Tax forms that are not yours: If you receive tax forms like W-2 or 1099 in the mail from employers you have never worked for, it could mean that someone used your SSN to get a job. In this type of employment fraud, your identity is used by someone who would otherwise not pass employment checks. It’s a disaster and could leave you in a bind with your tax obligations.
Contact the IRS immediately if you receive any strange tax forms.
Tax return goes wrong: You file your taxes and then receive a notice that someone else has already filed using your SSN. This is a simple and surprisingly effective way for criminals to obtain refunds you are owed.
Act quickly if you receive a letter from the IRS about a duplicate filing. Go to IdentityTheft.gov to file a report. You may need to complete IRS Form 14039, the Identity Theft Affidavit, to officially report the incident.
Pro Tip: Protect your tax accounts before this happens. The IRS offers a special identity protection PIN program. You get a six-digit number that you can use to file your taxes, effectively locking your account to outsiders.
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Tips on your credit report: I bet you see a theme here. Anything you know is not you is the most important sign. This may include new accounts, lines of credit you didn’t take out, or other unexplained changes to your credit.
You can obtain a free credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus through ReportCreditReportAnnual.com. Pro tip: Stagger your reports every few months to more easily track them throughout the year.
Government Benefit Denials: If you are denied benefits like disability, Medicare, unemployment, or other government assistance, someone may already be using your SSN to fraudulently claim them.
If this happens to you, contact the agency and explain the situation. They will guide you to the next steps to restore your benefits.
This illustrative photo shows a person dressed as an Internet hacker with a binary code on a laptop screen. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Do you suspect your SSN was stolen?
Move fast. Get started with the Federal Trade Commission at Identity Theft.gov. Fill out the form there and you will get a complete plan on how to recover your identity and protect yourself in the future.
The IRS also has a place to report if you suspect someone is using your SSN: Identity theft center.
Also check with your bank, credit card providers and insurance company. Some offer free fraud and identity theft protection services that can help you keep everything under lock and key.
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