keep your Social Security number and identity safe
Dealing with Social Security fraud or identity theft? We can help.
Dealing with Social Security fraud or identity theft? We can help.
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Fraudsters can use your Social Security number to apply for loans, credit cards, and other benefits in your name. And when it’s time to repay them, they won’t, damaging your credit score. Criminals can also use stolen Social Security numbers to file a fraudulent tax refund or apply for unemployment benefits in your name, delaying any payment you’re rightfully owed.
The best way to protect your Social Security number is to be careful about sharing it. If you’re specifically asked to provide your SSN, you should ask why it’s necessary and how it will be protected.
You should also avoid saying your SSN out loud, and beware of phishing scams (emails, internet links, and phone calls) that ask you to provide it.
In addition, the Social Security Administration recommends creating a personal “My Social Security account” on its website. This will take away the risk of someone else trying to create one in your name, even if they obtain your Social Security number.
Other preventative tips include not carrying your Social Security card with you or other documents that show your SSN.
If you think your SSN has been compromised, you can also request to Block Electronic Access with the Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213.
From data breaches and unsecure sites online, to phone scams, dumpster diving, and stealing your physical mail, there are countless ways a criminal might steal your Social Security number.
Social Security fraud is a broad term with a wide variety of categories. It usually occurs when an unauthorized third-party gains access to an individual's Social Security number and exploits it for financial gain, whether that’s taking out loans, opening credit cards, or receiving other benefits in a victim’s name.
In terms of Social Security programs, it involves any false statements on claims, concealing facts or events that affect eligibility for benefits, buying and selling Social Security cards, using another person’s Social Security number to file a benefits claim, and more.
A Social Security lock is a way to protect against employment-related identity fraud. It’s done through E-Verify.gov, a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
You can learn more about how to do a Self-Lock through E-Verify.gov, the official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Our powerful technology helps detect when an identity may be at an elevated risk for theft and allows us to help you take necessary precautions, including placing fraud alerts, credit freezes, and reviewing credit reports. We go beyond credit monitoring to search for suspicious activity, looking holistically at the financial accounts you use, the social media accounts you log into, and other data sources that could be compromised by others. This allows us to alert you of fraud as soon as we detect it.