Protecting Your Social Security Number
 From Identity Theft

Your Social Security Number Is Your Key

Originally, Social Security numbers (SSN) were given out so the government could keep track of your earned income and then pay you a retirement benefit.  But, over the years, it has become widely used as a means to identify you with many other pieces of personal information. 

A Social Security Number has become the main key to much of your personal information.  Using a SSN, an identity thief can find out about your credit history, bank accounts, charge accounts, and utility accounts.  A thief can also use the number to open new bank accounts and credit accounts or even get a driver’s license in your name.

• Don't give out your Social Security number unless it's absolutely necessary.  For instance, it may be required by federal or state governments.
• Don't print your number on your checks.
• If you have a driver's license with your SSN on it, get a new driver's license and request that it not show the number.
• Some businesses routinely include Social Security numbers on their application forms.  Ask any business why it needs your number. When customers resist, managers will usually give in to the request.
• If your health insurance provider (other than Medicare) uses your Social Security number, ask them to use a different number.
• Don't carry your Social Security card with you.
• Don't write your Social Security number on your checks.
• Don't give your Social Security number unless it is absolutely necessary, but first ask the business to use another type of identification.
• If your state uses your Social Security number for your driver's license number, ask them to use another number instead.
• If your health insurance company uses your Social Security number as your policy number, ask them to use another number.

How Does Someone Steal Your SS Number?

Identity thieves can get your SSN in many ways by:

• Stealing your wallet or purse if it has a card in it with your SSN listed.
• Stealing your mail.  Bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks and tax information all could have your number listed.
• Stealing personal information you provide to an unsecured  Internet website
• Rummaging through your trash, the trash of businesses and public trash dumps for personal data.
• Posing as someone who legitimately needs information about you, such as an employer or landlords.  They might do this by phone or E-mail.
• Purchasing personal information from “inside” sources.  For example, an identity thief might pay a store employee for information about you that appears on an application.
   

Don’t Carry Your Social Security Card With You

There are only a few times when you actually have to have your Social Security Card with you.  For example:

• When you start a job and your employer wants to see the card.
• If you are filling out an application at a financial institution. 

Once you have memorized your SSN, there is no real reason to carry your Social Security Card around with you. 
Keep your social security card and other documents that have your SSN listed on them, at home in a safe place. 

Check all other cards that you carry and to see if they list your SSN.  If any of them do, then either don't carry that card with you or contact the issuing body and see if they will issue you a card without your SSN.  Many times this can be accomplished if you just ask.

If A Business Wants Your SSN, Ask Them Questions First

Your employer and your financial institutions will require your SSN for the purpose of wage and tax reporting.  Some businesses will ask you for your SSN so they can do a credit check if you are applying for a loan, signing up for utilities, or renting an apartment.  While other businesses want a SSN as part of the information they require in order to provide services.  However, sometimes they simply want your Social Security number just for their record keeping.

There is no law that prevents them from asking for your SSN.  But if they ask for it, then ask them some questions:

• Why do they need your Social Security number?
• How will your Social Security number be used?
• How will they protect your Social Security number from being stolen?
• What will result if you don't give then your Social Security number?

Of course, if you decide not to give it to them, there is always the possibility that you will be denied services. 
If you don't think it is reasonable for you to give them your SSN, then ask them if you can use another from of identification. 
If they need it for a customer number, then ask if they can use another kind of id number in it's place.

Many State And Government Agencies Require Your SSN

There are many government agencies that require SSNs, including

• DMV (dept. of motor vehicles)
• Tax Agencies
• Welfare Offices

Check out their "disclosure form" requirements.  This form should state:

• If a SSN is required or is optional
• The legal authority of the agency is asking for it
• How they will use the number

Some states have laws that limit the use or public display of Social Security numbers, such as:

• Printing SSNs on ID cards or badges
• Printing SSNs on documents mailed to customers
• Printing SSNs on postcards or any other mailer where it is visible
• Requiring people to send SSNs over the Internet
• Requiring people to use an SSN to log onto a web site

Should You Get A New Social Security Number?

Sometimes, victims of identity theft want to change their Social Security number, thinking that will help solve their problems.. But, it is rare that the Social Security Administration will do this.  Under certain circumstances they may issue you a new  number if you have tried to resolve the problems brought on by identity theft, but the problems have not gone away.

There are drawbacks to changing your Social Security number.  There's no guarantee that a new Social Security number will resolve your identity theft problems.  This is because private businesses (such as credit reporting companies and banks) and government agencies (such as the IRS and the state motor vehicle agency) will likely keep your records listed under your old number.  This is especially true if some of your personal information, such as your name and address, remain the same. 

Thus, a new number may create new problems.

• If your old credit information is not associated with your new number, then you will lose your credit history and the absence of any credit history will make it difficult to get new credit.
• You could lose your academic records
• You could lose your professional degrees
• A new Social Security number does not ensure a new credit record,  Credit reporting companies may combine the credit records from your old Social Security number and your new one.

If you decide to apply for a new number, then you will need documentation to:

1. Prove your age
2. Prove you are a U.S. citizen or lawful immigrant
3. Prove your identity
4. Provide evidence that you still are being caused problems by the identity abuse.

If You Think Someone Is Using Your SSN

• Call the Social Security Fraud Hotline to report a SSN theft: 
  1-800-269-0271 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
• On the Internet, you can fill out a SSN Fraud Reporting Form at: https://www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/public_fraud_reporting/form.htm
• Report the fraud by Mail:
  Social Security Fraud Hotline
  P.O. Box 17768
  Baltimore, Maryland 21235
• Report the fraud by FAX: 410-597-0118
• For the deaf or hard of hearing call. TTY: 1-866-501-2101
• If you think someone may be using your SSN to be eligible for work, then check your Social Security Personal Earnings and Benefit Statement. Get a copy of your Social Security Statement (Form SSA-7005). .  This Statement is mailed automatically each year to workers age 25 and older. You also can get a Statement at any time by requesting it:
  • Call 1-800-772-1213
  • Go online at www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-7004.pdf
  • Get a Request for Social Security Statement (Form 7004) at www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-7004.html.
    

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