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Identity Theft And Your Social Security NumberSSA Publication No. 05-10064, February 2004, (Recycle prior editions) ICN 463270 [View .pdf] (En Espaņol) |
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Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. When a dishonest person has your Social Security number, the thief can use it to get other personal information about you. Most of the time identity thieves use your number and your good credit to apply for more credit in your name. Then, they use the credit cards and do not pay the bills. You do not find out that someone is using your number until you are turned down for credit, or you begin to get calls from unknown creditors demanding payment for items you never bought. Someone illegally using your Social Security number and assuming your identity can cause a lot of problems. |
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Your number is confidentialYour Social Security number and our records are confidential. We do not give your number to anyone, except when authorized by law. You should be careful about sharing your number with anyone who asks for it (even when you are provided with a benefit or service). |
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Don’t make it easy for someone to steal your numberIdentity thieves get your personal information by:
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Be careful with your Social Security card and number to prevent theftShow your card to your employer when you start a job so your records are correct. Then, put it in a safe place. DO NOT carry your card with you. |
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How can I report that someone is using my Social Security number?You should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by:
If you think someone is using your number for work
purposes, you should contact Social Security. One way to find out whether
someone is using your number in order to work is to check your Social
Security Statement. The Statement lists earnings posted
to your Social Security record. If you find an error on your Statement,
contact Social Security right away. |
(Phone numbers updated 5/25/04) | |
What if I think someone is using my number and creating credit problems for me?If someone used your Social Security number to get credit, Social Security cannot fix your credit record. To fix your credit record:
Request a copy of your credit report from each major credit bureau and check to see if it contains any entries you do not know about. If you are denied credit, you may be entitled to a free copy of your report. The major credit reporting agencies are:
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Getting a new Social Security numberIf you have done all you can to fix the problem and someone still is using your number, we may assign you a new number. We cannot guarantee that a new number will solve your problem. You cannot get a new Social Security number if:
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Contacting Social SecurityFor more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call toll-free 1-800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778). We can answer specific questions and provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. We treat all calls confidentially. We also want to make sure you receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some telephone calls. |
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