Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number

Someone illegally using your Social Security number and assuming your identity can cause a lot of problems.

Your number is confidential

The Social Security Administration protects your Social Security number and keeps your records confidential. We don’t give your number to anyone, except when authorized by law. You should be careful about sharing your number, even when you’re asked for it. You should ask why your number is needed, how it’ll be used, and what will happen if you refuse. The answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to give out your Social Security number.

How might someone steal your number?

Identity thieves get your personal information by:

• Stealing wallets, purses, and your mail (bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, and tax information);
• Stealing personal information you provide to an unsecured site online, from business or personnel records at work, and personal information in your home;
• Rummaging through your trash, the trash of businesses, and public trash dumps for personal data;
• Posing by phone or email as someone who legitimately needs information about you, such as employers or landlords; or
• Buying personal information from “inside” sources. For example, an identity thief may pay a store employee for information about you that appears on an application for goods, services, or credit.

Be careful with your Social Security card and number

When you start a job, make sure your employer has your correct Social Security number so your records are correct. Provide your Social Security number to your financial institution(s) for tax reporting purposes. Keep your card 3 and any other document that shows your Social Security number in a safe place. DO NOT routinely carry your card or other documents that display your number.

What if you think someone is using your number?

Sometimes more than one person uses the same Social Security number, either on purpose or by accident. If you suspect someone is using your number for work purposes, you should contact us to report the problem. We’ll review your earnings with you to ensure our records are correct. You also may review earnings posted to your record on your Social Security Statement. The Statement is available online to workers age 18 and older. To get your Statement, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount and create an account.

What if an identity thief is creating credit problems for you?

If someone has misused your Social Security number or other personal information to create credit or other problems for you, Social Security can’t resolve these problems. But there are several things you should do. Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report identity theft and get a recovery plan

IdentityTheft.gov guides you through 4 (over) each step of the recovery process. It’s a one-stop resource managed by the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency. You can also call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY 1-866-653-4261. You may want to contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An identity thief also might use your Social Security number to file a tax return to receive your refund. If you’re eligible for a refund, a thief could file a tax return before you do and get your refund. Then, when you do file, the IRS will think you already received your refund.

If your Social Security number is stolen, another person may use it to get a job. That person’s employer would report earned income to the IRS using your Social Security number. This will make it appear that you didn’t report all of your income on your tax return. If you think you may have tax issues because someone has stolen your identity, go to www.irs.gov/uac/Identity-Protection or call 1-800-908-4490.

Also, you should file an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov. The IC3 gives victims of cybercrime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations.

IC3 sends every complaint to one or more law enforcement or regulatory agencies with jurisdiction. 5 IC3’s mission is to receive, develop, and refer criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding arena of cybercrime. The IC3 serves the broader law enforcement community that combats Internet crime. This includes federal, state, local, and international agencies.

The IC3 reflects a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National White Collar Crime Center, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance. You should also monitor your credit report periodically. You can get free credit reports online at www.annualcreditreport.com.

Should you get a new Social Security number?

If you’ve done all you can to fix the problems resulting from misuse of your Social Security number, and someone is still using your number, we may assign you a new number. You can’t get a new Social Security number:

• If your Social Security card is lost or stolen, but there’s no evidence that someone is using your number;
• To avoid the consequences of filing for bankruptcy; or
• If you intend to avoid the law or your legal responsibility.

If you decide to apply for a new number, you’ll need to prove your identity, age, and U.S. citizenship or immigration status. For more information, ask for Your Social Security Number and Card (Publication Number 05-10002). You’ll also need to provide evidence you’re having ongoing problems because of the misuse.

Keep in mind that a new number probably won’t solve all your problems. This is because other governmental agencies (such as the IRS and state motor vehicle agencies) and private businesses (such as banks and credit reporting companies) will have records under your old number. Along with other personal information, credit reporting companies use the number to identify your credit record. So using a new number won’t guarantee you a fresh start.

This is especially true if your other personal information, such as your name and address, remains the same. If you receive a new Social Security number, you shouldn’t use the old number anymore. For some victims of identity theft, a new number actually creates new problems. If the old credit information isn’t associated with your new number, the absence of any credit history under your new number may make it more difficult for you to get credit.

Contacting Social Security

The most convenient way to contact us anytime, anywhere is to visit www.socialsecurity.gov. There, you can: apply for benefits; open a my Social Security account, which you can use to review your Social Security Statement, verify your earnings, print a benefit verification letter, change your direct deposit information, request a replacement Medicare card, and get a replacement SSA-1099/1042S; obtain valuable information; find publications; get answers to frequently asked questions; and much more.

If you don’t have access to the internet, we offer many automated services by telephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, if you’re deaf or hard of hearing. If you need to speak to a person, we can answer your calls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We ask for your patience during busy periods since you may experience a higher than usual rate of busy signals and longer hold times to speak to us. We look forward to serving you.

Social Security Administration Publication No. 05-10064 ICN 463270 | Unit of Issue — HD (one hundred) June 2018 (June 2017 edition may be used) Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number Produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense

Check the comment section for additional information, or share what you know or ask a question about this article, by clicking the 'View or Write Comment' button below.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.