To see if your Social Security number is being used by someone else for employment purposes, review your Social Security Statement at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount to look for suspicious activity. Finally, you’ll want to use additional scrutiny by regularly checking your bank and credit card accounts online.
Q. How can I change my SSN?
People who want to ask for a new Social Security number must:
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- Apply in person at a Social Security office;
- Complete an application;
- Provide a statement explaining the reasons for needing a new number;
- Provide current, credible, third-party evidence documenting the reasons for needing a new number; and.
Q. Can I lock my SSN?
To lock your Social Security number, visit the U.S. government’s myE-Verify website and complete the necessary steps online. In addition, Adam Funk suggests writing to the three major credit bureaus — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax — to lock your Social Security number.
Q. Can someone access your bank account with your SSN?
Thieves might have a difficult time accessing your bank account if they only knew your Social Security number. Most of the time, to either access an existing account or open up a new bank account, the bank would require additional forms of identification, such as your physical Social Security card, Real ID or passport.
Q. How do I know if my SSN is safe?
at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338) or go to: www.identitytheft.gov/ To order a copy of your Social Security Administration earnings and benefits statement, or to check whether someone has used your Social Security number to get a job or to avoid paying taxes, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/statement/.
Q. How do you deal with identity theft?
If someone steals your identity, you have the right to:
- create an FTC Identity Theft Report.
- place a one-year fraud alert on your credit report.
- place a seven-year extended fraud alert on your credit report.
- get free copies of your credit report.
- get fraudulent information removed (or “blocked”) from your credit report.
Q. How does Social Security identity theft happen?
A dishonest person who has your Social Security number can use it to get other personal information about you. Identity thieves can use your number and your good credit to apply for more credit in your name. Then, they use the credit cards and don’t pay the bills, it damages your credit.
Q. How does tax identity theft occur?
Tax identity theft occurs when someone uses your compromised information to file a tax return in your name. They fudge the numbers, enter an unrelated refund dispersal option like a prepaid debit card, and make off with your money before you ever know that anything has gone wrong. Data breaches. Stolen mail or W-2s.
