Social Security Identity Theft

Social security identity theft does not represent the typical case of identity theft, but if you are a victim, can be more damaging than the common form of identity theft, credit fraud.

If a savvy criminal obtains your social security number, he can do a number of things...

1. Get a job using your SSN

2. Use your SSN to get loans

3. Obtain new credit cards

4. Rent an apartment or car

5. Use your SSN if arrested or detained and place criminal charges in YOUR name

As you know, we share our SSN with many people and businesses. Loan officers, landlords, phone companies, gas, cable, and utility companies, and clerks at banks and doctors offices all have access to our social security number. I dont know about you but this makes me a little nervous. It doesnt take a robbery or lost wallet or purse for someone to get access to our SSN. Hundreds and maybe thousands of people already have access to it! All it takes is a shady employee to use our information to their own benefit.

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself...

1. Don't use your social security number to transact business

Sure, many businesses will ask for your SSN as a way of identifying you, but ask if they can use another means of identification. Most states used the SSN on a drivers license as another means of identification. This has changed and now social security numbers are not on licenses. If you still have your SSN on your drivers license, get it off!

Also, most businesses and doctors offices will have other numbers to identify a client. An account number or medical record number should be sufficient for their purposes. They don't need your SSN, so request they use another form of identification for you and be persistent in your request.

2. Check your social security records annually

Check your statement of personal earnings and benefits statement annually. This is a record of your earnings each year and basically an accounting statement of your income from the federal government. If you are a victim of social security identity theft and the criminal used your SSN to get a job and income, it would reflect on this statement. Similar to checking your credit report to analyze the status of your credit, this form allows you to analyze the status of your income and taxes.

3. Check your credit report

This is Identity Theft Prevention 101. Always check your credit, AT LEAST once a year to check for fradulent activity. Not only will you be able to evaluate your credit status and check for credit fraud, but if you notice any irregularities, these could be a sign of SSN identity theft.

Return to home page from social security identity theft