What Happens If Someone Steals Your Social Security Number

How Can I Protect My Identity

STOLEN Social Security Number? | This is What REALLY Happens

Protect your personal information. That helps you protect your identity. Here are some things you can do:

keep your financial records, Social Security and Medicare cards in a safe place
shred papers that have your personal or medical information
take mail out of your mailbox as soon as you can

As you do business:

only give your Social Security number if you must. Ask if you can use another kind of identification

do not give your personal information to someone who calls you or emails you

On the computer:

use passwords that are not easy to guess. Use numbers and symbols when you can

do not respond to emails or other messages that ask for personal information

do not put personal information on a computer in a public place, like the library

How Thieves Steal Ssns

There are several ways thieves can get a hold of your SSN. The most obvious is by stealing the physical Social Security card. Be sure to keep it in a secure place. This is a no-brainer.

Things get more tricky when we go online. The three most used methods for stealing Social Security Numbers are phishing, malware and data breaches.

Phishing attempts are nothing new. In their efforts to steal your identity, jack your crypto or drain your rewards account, thieves use ever-more convincing methods to trick you into sharing your personal information. They often create fake websites that resemble websites of real companies that you may use regularly. The goal is to trick you into entering your private information. Often scammers will send spoofing emails with links asking you to re-enter your login information or even your SSN.

Malware falls more under the traditional hacker category. Thieves who use this method to steal personal information, including Social Security numbers, infect your computer or mobile devices with software. That software can record your keystrokes, and if you type in your social security number at some point, that will be recorded. Other types of malware steal information from files on your device.

Data breaches are a major threat to consumers because its difficult to manage your data, including Social Security Number, once submitted to a website or service and stored on their servers.

What To Do If Your Social Security Number Is Stolen: Key Steps For Identity Protection

Your Social Security number is one of the most important and personal pieces of information you have. One of these unique nine-digit numbers is given to every American at birth or at the time they obtain U.S. citizenship. Its a vital detail that can help you keep track of your earnings, open new lines of credit and use as identification, among many other activities.

Because its so personal and tied specifically to you, however, your Social Security number isnt something you want just anyone getting access to. After obtaining it, someone could use it to impersonate you, steal your identity or enter into financial transactions that create unnecessary hardship for you.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts at keeping your Social Security number safe, it might end up in the wrong hands. If you suspect your SSN has been stolen, its vital to take the right steps to protect yourself. The following tips can help you get back on track if youre dealing with a stolen number or similar identity-theft situation.

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Contact The Fraud Department Of Source

If youve been a victim of identity theft, notify the company youve been frauded on and follow their guidance on changing all login and password information. Although, it may be necessary to request a new social security number from the Social Security Administration even though it isnt as easy as it sounds. You first have to follow these steps:

You will need to provide evidence that your social security number has been used for committing identity theft
Prove that you suffered harm because of such activities occurring without notification or consent on your part
Show proof of having done everything possible in order to catch the thief.

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Act Fast And Protect Yourself From Future Fraud

Â» Scam Calls Pretend to be Social Security Administration

There are a lot of ways for someone to get your Social Security number.

Lets face it: your Social Security number is probably out there somewhere. This federal identification number is used for so many purposesfrom tax forms to credit apps to student information formsthat it exists in myriad places. And while organizations that ask for personally identifying information, including your Social Security number , do have an obligation to keep it as secure as possible, mistakes and cyberattacks happen. Sometimes, the person who gives up your SSN to a scammer is you.

Find out what to do if youre a victim of identity fraud, and learn about Social Security number fraud and how to avoid it in the future.

What happens if you accidentally give someone your Social Security number?

No matter how or why it happened, if you give your SSN to someone you suspect might be a scammeror think that your SSN has been stolen for any other reasontake action quickly. You could become a victim of identity theft. First, check your credit reports to ensure nothing is amiss right now with your accounts. If you find anything, consider working with professionals such as Lexington Law to address errors on your report.

How do I check to see if someone is using my Social Security number?

Can my Social Security number be suspended?

How To Prevent Social Security Theft

Leave your Social Security card at home. Itâs unsafe to carry your Social Security card around unless you need it for an application. Security experts advise that you memorize your SSN and store IDs in a password-protected digital wallet to prevent fraud.

Shred documents. Discarded documents and mail attract identity thieves. Shred all documents containing your personal identifying information before throwing them away.

Keep personal information safe. Never share your SSN with someone you donât know â especially in phone calls, emails, or text messages. If a company requests your SSN, ask why they need it and how theyâll protect your information.

Use multi-factor authentication . Cybercriminals can use software tohack passwordsin minutes . Two-factor authentication maximizes your account security and ensures that youâre the only one with access to your account. For added security, use an authenticator app for receiving your 2FA codes.

Secure your children’s SSNs. Social Security theft doesnât just happen to adults. One in 50 children were victims of identity theft in 2021 . Aura offers Family Identity Theft Protection that monitors your childrenâs SSNs and protects them from identity theft.

Learn how to recognize phishing. Scammers often use phishing attacks to get you to unknowingly give up your SSN. Learn how to recognize a phishing emailand avoid social engineering tactics that scammers use to trick victims.

Hereâs what you get with Aura:

Measures You Can Take To Prevent Identity Theft

Identity theft happens when a person illegally uses your personal information to commit fraud. Someone illegally using your SSN and assuming your identity can cause a lot of problems. But there are several things you should do to prevent identity theft:

Do not routinely carry your SSN.
Never say your SSN aloud in public.
Beware of phishing scams trying to trick you into revealing personal information.
Create a personal account to help you keep track of your records and identify any suspicious activity.
Consider adding these blocks to your account with us:
The eServices block This prevents anyone, including you, from seeing or changing your personal information on the internet. Once we add the block, you or your representative will need to contact your local office to request removal of the block.
The Direct Deposit Fraud Prevention block This prevents anyone, including you, from enrolling in direct deposit or changing your address or direct deposit information through or a financial institution . Once we add the block, you or your representative will need to contact your local office to request removal of the block. You will need to do the same to make any future changes to direct deposit or contact information.

Visit to get information regarding extra security.

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Look Into A Credit Freeze To Stop Them From Opening An Account

Its also helpful to request a credit freeze. Doing so prevents criminals from using your SSN to apply for loans, create new financial accounts, get benefits, etc. This process will not affect your credit score, thankfully.

If you have a reason to believe that your SSN has been stolen but currently have no pieces of evidence to back you up, you can also request a fraud alert. This ensures that businesses take additional identity verification steps before agreeing to transactions.

Data Breaches That Expose Sensitive Information

Did Someone Steal Your Social Security Number to File Taxes? Here’s What to Do

A data breach is a cyberattack in which hackers steal sensitive information from companies and services. In the past few years, billions of pieces of sensitive information have been stolen by hackers and sold on the Dark Web.

For example, in August 2021, cybercriminals stole the Social Security numbers and other personal data from nearly 50 million T-Mobile customers . Major data breaches have also occurred at , , , and Equifax.

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What If My Social Security Number Is Stolen

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We use our Social Security number frequently to verify our identity when starting a new job, opening accounts, visiting doctors offices, filing tax returns, receiving government benefits and services, and more. What if the unthinkable happens and your SSN is stolen? Would you know what to do?

Having your SSN stolen is something you never want to experience, but unfortunately, it does happen, and its happening more frequently because of the digital world we live in. If your SSN is stolen, you are at risk of becoming a victim of identity theft and fraud, which can cause major damage to your credit and even your finances. Below is some helpful information should your SSN be stolen and how to minimize the risk of this happening to you.

Review Your Social Security Earnings Records

On rare occasions, multiple people may accidentally use the same SSN when filing paperwork. Review your earnings posted on your Social Security statement and contact the Social Security Administration if you notice any inconsistencies.

You can report fraud to the SSA by calling their toll-free line at 1-877-438-4338 or online at ftc.gov/idtheft.

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Request For Identity Verification From The Irs

When the IRS stops a suspicious tax return filing, they may send a letter called “Letter 5071C” asking that you verify your identity. It will include a couple ways to verify it: via a phone number or through the IRS’s Identity Verification Service, .

This online service is the quickest method and will ask you multiple-choice questions to verify whether or not the tax return flagged for further identity verification was filed by you or someone else. The IRS only sends such notices by mail. The IRS will not request that you verify your identity by contacting you by phone or through email. If you receive such calls or emails, they are likely a scam.

If you can’t confirm your identity using the IRS’ online Identity Verification Service, you can call the IRS at the phone number included in the letter.

When confirming your identity, you will need:

Your name, date of birth and contact information

Social security number or individual taxpayer identification number

Your prior year tax return along with supporting documents such as W-2s, 1099s, and Schedules A and C if you filed them

Additional Tips To Protect Your Ssn

The best tip we can give you is to make it a habit of regularly checking your banks, credit card accounts, and other items tied to your SSN.

You need to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity, but also consider the following tips for additional protection:

Never share your SSN with anyone, even lenders and insurance providers, unless youre sure about their authenticity.
Keep your Social Security card at home.
If you no longer need a document, destroy and properly dispose of it.
Consider password-protecting your digital files.
Never post it on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit.

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Report Theft To The Federal Trade Commission

Report the theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov. Youâll receive a free recovery plan to help you deal with the consequences of SSN theft. An official FTC report is also required for disputing fraudulent accounts and filing a police report.

You can report Social Security theft in the following instances:

Someone files a fraudulent tax return or receives a tax refund in your name.
Someone files for government benefits in your name.
Your Social Security number was exposed in a data breach.

You Gave Your Social Security Number Away

If you suspect somebody has your Social Security Number — whether they stole it from a company or you gave it to them voluntarily — it’s important to set up credit monitoring. Typically your bank or the company that was breached will provide this to you for free.

You generally shouldn’t pay for credit monitoring, as high quality free products have proliferated in the marketplace particularly after the incident at Equifax. Paid credit monitoring services can be tricky to cancel, and you can typically achieve the same level of service with a free product.

Set up alerts so you know the instant anything changes with your credit score — you can usually do this through the credit monitoring program offered by your bank or credit card company, which is almost always a free service. Some of these services are free even if you’re not a customer of the bank, such as Capital One’s Credit Wise. In fact, you may want to do this anyway — monitoring your credit in this manner is good for everyone, not just victims of cybercrime.

If you provided a scammer with your Social Security Number directly, or you already think your number was used fraudulently, you will need to act more urgently. You can place a credit freeze on your account with the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Transunion and Experian.

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What To Do If Your Social Security Number Is Stolen

Stealing a Social Security number may be the worst form of identity theft

A Social Security number may be the single most important piece of government-issued identification that a resident of the United States can have.

It’s definitely the most valuable piece of ID that identity thieves can get their hands on especially when the number is combined with the rightful bearer’s name and address.

Even just by itself, a valid Social Security number can be illegally sold to people who can’t otherwise get one, such as undocumented workers or to people trying to hide their true identities.

A stolen SSN lets the thief, or the person he or she sells it to, do almost everything a legitimate SSN holder can do and more.

“You can close a credit card if it is compromised,” said Adam Dolby, senior manager of Alkami Technology. “But the problem is, you can’t close your SSN.”

If you discover your Social Security number has been stolen or otherwise misused by another person, there are several steps you’ll need to take right away.

File A Fraudulent Tax Return

New and easier way to report tax identity theft

Tax identity theft happens when fraudsters use your stolen personal information, such as your SSN, to file a tax return and claim a fraudulent refund in your name.

Unfortunately, you probably wonât realize youâve become a victim until youâre unable to file your tax return. In the meantime, you canât access your stolen tax refund â as it can take months to resolve the problem with the Internal Revenue Service and prove you were a victim of identity theft.

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Can Someone Access My Bank Account With My Social Security Number

Someone could try to access your bank account using your Social Security number, but it alone wouldnt be enough. Theyd need a lot more personal information than that to get to your finances.

Dont believe me? Try calling your bank and saying youve forgotten your password. Youll be surprised at the range of questions theyll ask you, from What is the second letter of your mothers maiden name? to When and how big was your last deposited check? and Is the number youre calling from your personal one?

Many times, youll be required to physically show up if you want to reset your bank account password. Why?

Anyone can call a bank having stolen someone elses Social Security number, but its not enough to prove your identity. Usually, a bank would not even ask for your SSN if you called them because it is not a good way to verify who you are.

Without additional information, no one could access your bank account with your Social Security number alone. In terms of bank security, you should worry about other things like a poor password, lack of two-factor authentication, and general carelessness when online banking.

Managing Your Identity: How To Protect Against Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to commit fraud or other crimes in your name. Identity thieves may go through your mail or trash to obtain your information, or attempt to access it through e-mail, text messages or phone conversations.

Many Americans have their identity stolen every day. Follow the guidelines below and help protect yourself, your good name and your good credit.

Sign up for identity theft protectionAn identity theft protection program monitors your credit reports, online debit/credit card number and Social Security number. If suspicious activity is detected, you will be notified and will receive identity recovery assistance.

Monitor your mailCall the sender if mail fails to arrive. A false change-of-address form may have been filed to divert your information to another address. Use a secure mailbox for outgoing mail.

Review bills and bank statementsCheck for fraudulent charges or suspicious activity. Report issues immediately. Consider receiving statements and bills electronically, setting up direct deposits and using online bill pay.

Check your credit reports

Use a cross-cut shredder to destroy envelopes and documents.

Be on guard with phone solicitorsNever provide personal or financial information to callers you do not know.

Password-protect your device

Use a personal firewall

Beware of “smishing” text messages containing links capable of downloading malware to your smartphone

Use caution online

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