Request A Credit Freeze Or Fraud Alert
A restricts access to your credit report and helps prevent fraudsters from opening new accounts, renting apartments or applying for loans in your name. Freezing your credit will not affect your credit score, and you can unfreeze and refreeze your credit report at any time.
You’ll need to freeze and unfreeze your credit with all three credit bureaus separately .
If you think your SSN may have been stolen but don’t have any evidence of fraud occurring, you could place a fraud alert on your credit report instead of a credit freeze. Rather than restricting access to your credit report, a fraud alert asks businesses checking your credit to verify your identity before offering credit in your name.
Placing a fraud alert with one credit bureau extends the alert to all three. It has no effect on your credit score.
What Do I Do Next Ongoing Steps To Take
As weve talked about in some of my other blog posts, identity theft can be a long-term problem where follow-up instances of theft can crop up over time. However, there are a few steps you can take to minimize the damage and ensure it doesnt happen again. I cover several of those steps in detail in this blog here, yet lets take a look at a few of the top items as they relate to SSN theft:
Consider placing a fraud alert.
Look into an all-out credit freeze.
A full credit freeze is in place until you lift it and will prohibit creditors from pulling your credit report altogether. This can help stop thieves dead in their tracks since approving credit requires pulling a report. However, this applies to legitimate inquires, including any that you make, like opening a new loan or signing up for a credit card. If thats the case, youll need to take extra steps as directed by the particular institution or lender. Unlike the fraud alert, youll need to notify each of the three major credit bureaus when you want the freeze lifted.
Monitor your credit reports.
Once every 12 months, you can access a free credit report from Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Doing so will allow you to spot any future discrepancies and offer you options for correcting them.
Sign up for an identity protection service.
How Do I Tell If Someone Has Stolen My Social Security Number
Unfortunately, this type of crime can often be challenging to discover. People who steal a persons social security number can use their identity for long periods without being found out. However, there are ways that you can check whether your social security number has been compromised.
The best way to find out if someone is using your identity or has stolen your social security number is by keeping a close eye on your . Your credit report can make you aware of any unusual activity. For example, if you notice any accounts that do not belong to you, this could indicate that you are a victim of identity theft using your social security number.
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Use A Dark Web Monitoring Service
When sensitive data like Social Security Numbers are stolen, they often end up on the dark web for sale. Dark web monitoring will allow you to find and keep track of such data by scanning these secret websites.
While your personal information showing up on the dark web is definitely an indicator that you are in danger of identity theft, it does not necessarily tell you if someone has already started using your Social Security Number.
Stolen Wallets Containing Social Security Cards
If scammers steal your wallet, purse, or bag, they can gain access to your Social Security card. Even worse, they could also steal your driverâs license and credit cards â giving them everything they need to steal your identity and commit financial fraud. Try not to carry your Social Security card with you whenever possible.
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Fake Calls About Your Ssn
The FTC is getting reports about people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration who are trying to get your Social Security number and even your money. In one version of the scam, the caller says your Social Security number has been linked to a crime involving drugs or sending money out of the country illegally. He then says your Social is blocked but he might ask you for a fee to reactivate it, or to get a new number. And he will ask you to confirm your Social Security number.
In other variations, he says that somebody used your Social Security number to apply for credit cards, and you could lose your benefits. Or he might warn you that your bank account is about to be seized, that you need to withdraw your money, and that hell tell you how to keep it safe.
But all of these are scams. Heres what you need to know:
If youre worried about a call from someone who claims to be from the Social Security Administration, get off the phone. Then call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213 . If youve spotted a scam, then tell the FTC atftc.gov/complaint.
California Law Limits The Public Display Of Social Security Numbers
A California law bars organizations from publicly displaying SSNs2. The law prohibits:
- Printing SSNs on ID cards or badges
- Printing SSNs on documents mailed to customers, unless the law requires it or the document is a form or application
- Printing SSNs on postcards or any other mailer where its visible without opening an envelope
- Avoiding legal requirements by encoding or embedding SSNs in cards or documents, such as using a bar code, chip, or magnetic strip
- Requiring people to send SSNs over the Internet, unless the connection is secure or the number is encrypted
- Requiring people to use an SSN to log onto a web site, unless a password is also used
- The law applies to businesses, government, and other entities.
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Access To Medical Care
One thing you need to watch out for if someone steals your social security number is the possibility of them using it to gain access to medical care with your details. They may be able to undergo medical treatment using your identity, which will ultimately affect your personal medical records. Medical identity theft is a serious problem nowadays and has been continually growing in number of cases.
False information on your health records could lead to disastrousconsequences. For example, if you needed a blood transfusion and the wrong blood type was given, it could be life-threatening. It can also impact your ability to access your medical insurance when you need it.
If You Have Been Affected By A Data Breach
The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the integrity of the SIN program from fraud and misuse. It takes any breach of information very seriously.
If you have been affected by a data breach, contact Canadas 2 major credit bureaus to monitor your file.
- Equifax: 1-800-465-7166
- TransUnion: 1-800-663-9980
Regularly review your banking and credit card statements, especially after the credit monitoring service ends.
If you notice any suspicious activity, immediately report it to the police, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and inform Service Canada. This will help reduce the potential impact.
Service Canada does not issue a new SIN for those affected by a data breach.
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What Are Some Warning Signs Of Social Security Theft
- Suspicious accounts on your credit report. This is a clear sign that criminals have access to your most sensitive information and are using it for financial gain.
- Letters or calls from creditors or unknown companies. Donât ignore unrecognized bills in the mail. These could be signs that your SSN was stolen and used to open new accounts.
- A change-of-address notification from the post office. Criminals will change your address to reroute mail â such as replacement or new credit cards â to an address that they own or manage.
- Statements and bills for accounts you didn’t open. Any unrecognized account statement is a cause for worry. Contact the bank or credit card companyâs fraud department immediately, and ask for details about the account.
- Suspicious tax notifications. If you receive a notification that a return was already filed under your SSN, contact the IRS immediately.
- An unknown employer verified your eligibility to work. This is a sign that someone is using your SSN to work. Contact Social Security immediately about the identity theft.
- Notification that your information was compromised in a data breach. Check if your sensitive information was leaked in a recent data breach by using Auraâs free leaked password scanner.
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What To Do If You Lose Your Social Security Card
Your Social Security number is valuable to identity thieves because its linked to your identity. Learn what to do if your Social Security card is stolen or lost and how to keep your personal information safe.
Reading time: 5 minutes
Highlights:
- Your Social Security number can be valuable information for identity thieves
- Consider placing a security freeze or fraud alert on your credit reports if your Social Security card is lost
- If you know your Social Security number has been stolen, there are some additional steps you can take
Your Social Security number is a valuable piece of information to identity thieves. Its a key element of your identity and is also linked to taxes and credit information. And except in limited circumstances, it cant be changed. Thats why its so worrisome to have your card lost or stolen.
Here are some steps to take for a lost or stolen Social Security card:
1. Consider placing a fraud alert or a security freeze on your credit reports or locking them. With an initial fraud alert, potential lenders and creditors are encouraged to take additional steps to verify your identity, such as contacting you by phone, before extending new credit. A fraud alert lasts for one year and can be renewed. Fraud alerts are free. Contact one of the three nationwide credit bureaus Equifax, Experian or TransUnion to request a fraud alert, and that bureau will notify the other two.
Should I Get A New Social Security Number If I Am A Victim Of Employment
What if youâve done everything you could to resolve the problem but someone else is still using your Social Security Number? Will you be issued a new SSN? According to the Social Security Administration, they may assign you a new number if you can show evidence that someone else is using your number. You will also need to prove your identity, age, U.S. citizenship, or immigration status.
You have to be aware, however, that having a new SSN does not necessarily mean a fresh start. Some of your old accounts and transactions can still be tied with your old number and this could be used to determine your credit history. If your old number is not linked with your new number, it could also create problems for you when opening new credit accounts because of your lack of credit history.
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Check Your Credit Report
The Social Security Administration can tell you if someone is working on your SSN and the IRS can tell you if someone is filing taxes on it, but only your credit agencies can tell you if someone is using your SSN to acquire and use credit in your name.
There are three major credit reporting agencies in the United States: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. They each have slightly different methodologies and scoring programs, but they all more or less provide the same service.
You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report every 12 months . By contacting each service and requesting your report, you can immediately spot any suspicious activity on your credit accounts. Look for credit card applications, loan applications, and any debt you dont recognize.
Requesting your reports is simple:
- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 transunion.com
is a reputable service, and if you sign up for it you can keep a monthly eye on your credit score and your credit history, making it very difficult for an identity thief to put one over you in the long run.
S You May Want To Take To Protect Your Financial And Credit Information
We issued this notice without regard to age or other factors. Due to a lack of credit or other financial history, minor children, dependents, and some non-filers may not be able to use the protections below.
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Review your earnings with the Social Security AdministrationEnsure their records are correct. You can create an account on their website which can assist you if an unauthorized person used your SSN.
- Monitor your credit reports and all financial accountsReview their accounts for signs of misuse of your personal information.
- Place a one-year fraud alert on your credit accountsContact one of the following three credit bureaus listed below. That bureau must tell the other two.
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Getting A New Social Security Number Is Probably Not A Good Idea
Victims of identity theft sometimes want to change their Social Security number. The Social Security Administration very rarely allows this. In fact, there are drawbacks to changing your number. It could result in losing your credit history, your academic records, and your professional degrees. The absence of any credit history under the new SSN would make it difficult for you to get credit, rent an apartment, or open a bank account.
How To Report Identity Theft To Social Security In Three Steps
Lets say you spot something unusual on your credit report or get a notification that someone has filed a tax return on your behalf without your knowledge. These are possible signs that your identity, if not your SSN, is in jeopardy, which means its time to act right away using the steps below:
1. Report the theft to local and federal authorities.
File a police report and a Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Report. This will help in case someone uses your Social Security number to commit fraud, since it will provide a legal record of the theft. The FTC can also assist by guiding you through the identity theft recovery process as well. Their site really is an excellent resource.
2. Contact the businesses involved.
Get in touch with the fraud department at each of the businesses where you suspect theft has taken place, let them know of your situation, and follow the steps they provide. With your police and FTC reports, you will already have a couple of vital pieces of information that can help you clear your name.
3. Reach the Social Security Administration and the IRS.
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Can Someone Access My Bank Account With My Social Security Number
Yes, it is possible that someone could access your bank account with your Social Security number. Most thieves will attempt to access your account over the phone since most banks require a valid photo ID for in-person account access. However, if your bank uses your Social Security number as a piece of verification data for phone transactions, then a thief who has access to your SSN might be able to perform transactions on your bank account. If you suspect that someone has stolen your SSN, you should notify your bank to take additional identity verification steps before allowing anyone access to your account.
Can You Change Your Ssn If Its Stolen
The SSA advises against requests to change your Social Security number. However, there are exceptional circumstances in which you can get a new Social Security number.
You may be assigned a new SSN if:
- Your SSN was issued to someone else.
- Your current SSN is being used by someone to stalk, harass, or endanger your life.
- Your family members received sequential SSN numbers, which is causing confusion.
- Youâre a victim of identity theft and suffering ongoing harm â such as loan denial, refusal of medical care, and lower credit rating. Youâll need to first prove that youâve exhausted other options to solve the problem.
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What Can Someone Do With My Social Security Number
Once your personal details have been discovered, thieves can either sell your identity to others or take advantage of services in your name. They can access medical care, file fraudulent tax returns, steal benefits, commit crimes, and open accounts in your name, all with your social security number.