{"id":15137,"date":"2023-11-23T08:04:54","date_gmt":"2023-11-23T08:04:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/tech\/?p=15137"},"modified":"2023-11-23T08:07:03","modified_gmt":"2023-11-23T08:07:03","slug":"what-to-do-if-someone-has-your-social-security-number","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/tech\/cyber-security\/what-to-do-if-someone-has-your-social-security-number\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do if Someone Has Your Social Security Number: Security Tips","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

The implication of having your social security number stolen is not a very favorable one. In fact, it exposes you to a whole lot of danger\u2014kinda like having your credit card stolen. To make sure that you are on the safe side, there are things you MUST do if someone else happens to gain possession of your social security number. One of which is to report to the authorities.<\/p>

Before we go further, I’d like to enlighten you on the meaning of a Social Security Number (SSN) and how it works.<\/p>

Understanding SSN and How It Works<\/span><\/h2>

A Social Security Number is a numerical identity given to citizens and other permanent residents of the United States to track income and decide benefits.<\/p>

The purpose of the nine-digit number was to facilitate retirement and disability benefits in 1936. The SSN was first intended to be used for benefit and wage tracking. These days, it’s utilized for more things, like monitoring credit reports and identifying people for tax purposes.<\/p>

In order to get credit, create bank accounts, receive government benefits, make large purchases, and more, people in the United States are required to present their Social Security number.<\/p>

How It Works<\/span><\/h3>

Every American citizen, permanent resident, and temporary or working resident has, with very few exceptions, a Social Security number. Even residents who are unemployed can obtain an SSN because businesses and government organizations use it.<\/p>

Section 205(c)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S. Code, Chapter 7, Subsection 405) establishes the legal foundation for Social Security number assignment. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the organization that issues Social Security numbers and cards.<\/p>

Nowadays, Social Security numbers are just a series of random numbers. Before 2011, though, the numbers served a purpose. The first three numbers in those years denoted the person’s birthplace or place of residence. Originally, the next set of numerals was supposed to stand for a person’s birth month or year.<\/p>

Instead, the Social Security Administration chose to have it reflect a group number because they were worried that it could be forged. Although there have been a few instances where two people received the same Social Security number, no Social Security numbers have been used twice as of yet.<\/p>

Find out what to do if your Social Security Number has been compromised.<\/p>

What to Do If Someone Has Your Social Security Number.<\/span><\/h2>

In the United States, Social Security numbers are more than just an identification number. These figures are linked to employment and financial records across a lifetime, health insurance, tax forms, and government benefits. Your Social Security number allows you to apply for credit cards, loans, and passports, as well as government services.<\/p>

Therefore, you must take the following actions when someone else obtains your social security number:<\/p>

#1. Notify the Authorities<\/span><\/h3>

The immediate step is to notify the FTC and the police of your stolen Social Security number. To do this, visit identitytheft.gov<\/a> and click on the Get Started button. Enter the essential information regarding the type of identity theft that occurred and what your personal information was used for.<\/p>

To report identity theft to the police, go to your local station with all of the information you have regarding the theft. Bring your own identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. Also, ask for a copy of the report so you may lodge an extended fraud warning with the three major credit agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).<\/p>

Unfortunately, identifying and prosecuting identity thieves is extremely tough. However, by filing both an FTC and a police report, you will be able to prevent fraudsters from creating new financial accounts or obtaining credit lines in your name.<\/p>

#2. Raise a fraud alert or a security freeze on your credit reports.<\/span><\/h3>

Raising a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit and credit reports protects you and your finances by restricting anyone, including yourself, from creating a new credit account in your name. If your Social Security number was stolen, this is a lifesaver.<\/p>

Credit freezes and fraud alerts do not preclude you from doing anything that may necessitate a credit check. While the freeze or alerts are in effect, you will be allowed to apply for jobs, rent an apartment, and apply for insurance; you may only require further identity verification or a temporary lift on the freeze.<\/p>

Contact each of the three credit bureaus individually to place a credit freeze on your accounts: <\/p>