Your Social Security number is one of the most sensitive pieces of personal information you own. Unfortunately, yours (and mine and every other American’s) may have been leaked and sold on the dark web.
Before you panic, there are some steps you can take now to protect yourself and your identity.
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Is it really that big of a deal?
That’s certainly true. Your social security number is the key to the castle. It is a unique identifier that connects financial, government, and personal records.
SSNs allow criminals to open credit card accounts, apply for loans, hijack tax refunds, access government benefits, and even apply for jobs. .
There are easy steps to follow.
In this photo illustration, a Social Security card sits alongside a check from the U.S. Treasury on October 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
To protect your Social Security number, use a government toll-free number. self lock Features. This tool prevents your SSN from being used for fraudulent employment verification. will be needed 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 be on hold for a long time.
be proactive
The Social Security Administration also provides online access to your income and benefit history. my social security account. It’s free to use, and you can get an account even if you don’t receive benefits.
We recommend checking it once a year to make sure there are no abnormalities. Check your reported income and make sure everything matches your actual work and benefits history.
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Note that if you created your Social Security username more than three years ago, you will need to create a Login.gov account or use an ID.me account.
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How do you know if your SSN is in someone else’s hands? Let’s count the ways…
Unexpected charges or accounts: Receiving a bill or statement for an account 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, take out loans, and even set utility bills in your name.
If this occurs, please contact the Company immediately to report the abuse. A credit freeze is also essential at this point.
April 3, 2019. A woman using a laptop. (ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Tax forms that aren’t yours: If you receive a W-2, 1099, or other tax form in the mail from an employer you’ve never worked with, someone may have used your SSN to find you a job. In this type of employment fraud, someone who may not be able to pass the employment screening uses your identity on your behalf. It can be confusing and result in tax liability.
Contact the IRS As soon as you receive a strange tax return.
I’m having trouble filing my tax return: When you file your taxes, you’ll receive a notification that someone else has already filed using your SSN. This is an easy and surprisingly effective way for criminals to get the refund they owe you.
If you receive a letter from the IRS regarding a duplicate return, act quickly. Visit IdentityTheft.gov to file a report. To officially report the incident, you may need to fill out IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.
Pro tip: Protect your tax account before that happens. The IRS offers a special ID protection PIN program. Get a six-digit number to use to file your taxes, effectively locking your account to outsiders.
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Tips about your credit report: I think you can see there’s a theme here. All the things you know you’re not yourself are the biggest signs. This could include new accounts, untapped lines of credit, or other unexplained changes to your credit.
Get a free credit report once a year from the three major credit bureaus. AnnualCreditReport.com. Pro tip: Stagger your reports every few months so you can more easily review them throughout the year.
Denial of benefits by the government: If you’ve been denied benefits such as disability, Medicare, unemployment, or other government assistance, someone may have already used your SSN to fraudulently claim these benefits.
If this happens, please contact your agent and explain the situation. We’ll guide you through the next steps to restore your benefits.
In this illustrated photo, a person disguised as an Internet hacker displays binary code on a laptop screen. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto, Getty Images)
Suspect your SSN was stolen?
Please move quickly. Start with the Federal Trade Commission. IdentityTheft.gov. Then fill out the form, whole plan 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 Central.
Also check with your bank, credit card company, and insurance company. Some companies offer free fraud and identity theft protection services to help you lock everything down.
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