Questionable Identity SSA: These days, keeping your Social Security number safe is more important than ever.
Someone can steal your identity if they use your Social Security number (SSN) in a dishonest way. This could cost you a lot of money and hurt your personal relationships. You can take a number of steps to stay safe, which is good news.
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Questionable Identity SSA: How to guard against theft of identities
Reducing the frequency that you share or carry your Social Security number is one of the easiest ways to lower your risk of identity theft.
Refrain from keeping your Social Security card in your wallet and use caution when disclosing your phone number. Furthermore, avoid disclosing your SSN in public.
Phishing scams pose a threat as well, wherein con artists attempt to obtain personal information from you by means of phony emails, phone calls, or websites. Always exercise caution when responding to unsolicited emails, and never click on dubious links.
Make an online account with me for Social Security to further protect your personal data. With the help of this tool, you can keep an eye on your records and spot any strange activity.
You can also help prevent unauthorized access to multiple accounts in the event that one password is compromised by changing your passwords on a regular basis and using different passwords for each account.
Strengthen your online security
Think about turning on multi-factor authentication (MFA) for your online accounts, along with using strong passwords.
MFA adds extra protection by asking for more information, like a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.
Also, be cautious of scammers pretending to be Social Security workers. If you receive a suspicious call or email saying your SSN is compromised, don’t respond. To avoid falling for scams, hang up and report the incident at Protect Yourself From Scams.
How to respond if someone steals your social security number
If you think your Social Security number has been stolen, take action right away to limit the damage. Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report the theft and create a recovery plan.
You can also call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338) for help. It’s important to file a police report, especially if the identity theft leads to financial loss. Keep a copy of the report in case problems come up later.
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Let one of the three main credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, know, and consider adding a fraud alert or credit freeze to your credit report for extra protection. This can stop thieves from opening accounts in your name.
Get free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com and regularly check them for any unusual activity.
Finally, if you think someone may try to file a tax return using your SSN, contact the IRS. The IRS has resources through Identity Theft Central and can be reached at 1-800-908-4490.
