Social Security Number Protection

When Social Security numbers were created by the U.S. government, they really were intended for just one use — tracking a worker's earnings over the years, for the purpose of calculating retirement benefits. But over time, because we don't have a national ID card in the U.S., SSNs became a de facto form of national ID as well. Over time, the government, banks and other businesses began to ask for Americans' SSNs on forms and use them to tell people apart [source: Jeffries].

Unfortunately, that's made SSNs a valuable commodity for crooks, because they can use the number to impersonate someone and steal his or her identity and unlock everything from financial accounts to government benefits, and even personal medical information. [source: Bushwick]. Theft of SSNs is a major factor in identity fraud losses that reached $56 billion in 2020 [source: Javelin].

Experts suggest you take the following steps to lessen your chances of becoming a victim:

Don't carry your Social Security card, passport or birth certificate in your purse or wallet.
Don't share your SSN when it isn't necessary. For purchases and business transactions other than banking, trading stock or buying property, it isn't necessary [source: SSA].
Be wary of scammers who call and impersonate government officials and try to trick you into providing personal data such as your SSN [source: SSA].
Don't throw out documents that contain your SSN without shredding them.
Request a copy of your Social Security Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement at least every three years to make sure the information in your file is correct. (You can do this online through Social Security's My Social Security website.)
Be aware of what's on your credit report, and watch for incorrect information that indicates someone might be committing identity theft. You're entitled to obtain a free copy of your reports from each of the three major credit bureaus each year.

What If I Find Out Someone Else Is Using My SSN?

First, you should call the police and contact the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline, which is operated by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), an independent law enforcement agency that investigates violations connected with SSA programs. These violations include the following:

Misuse of an SSN
False statements on claims
Misrepresentation or concealment of facts affecting eligibility
False statements made to obtain an SSN
Crimes involving SSA employees
Conflict-of-interest and standards-of-conduct violations
Mismanagement and/or waste of funds

You will need to provide detailed information about the crime or fraud being committed against you. Investigators at the fraud hotline will review this information and determine the best course of action. If you would rather remain anonymous, you can do so, but this can make solving your problem more difficult. After your initial report, you will be contacted by an investigator for additional information.

The SSA and the OIG won't help with credit problems caused by someone misusing your Social Security number. Instead, you will need to work with credit card companies and credit reporting agencies to correct the problem and alert them that someone has been making fraudulent use of your SSN. The three major credit reporting bureaus are:

Equifax - (800) 525-6285
TransUnion - (800) 680-7289
Experian - (888) 397-3742

Social Security Fraud Hotline

If you suspect someone of committing fraud or abuse against Social Security, contact the fraud hotline at 800-269-0271 or submit a report online here [source: SSA].

Sources

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Jeffries, Adrianne. "Identity crisis: how Social Security numbers became our insecure national ID." The Verge. Sept. 26, 2012. (Jan. 3, 2021) https://www.theverge.com/2012/9/26/3384416/social-security-numbers-national-ID-identity-theft-nstic
Kagan, Julia. "Social Security Number (SSN)." Investopedia. Sept. 20, 2021. (Jan. 3, 2021) https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/ssn.asp
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How Social Security Numbers Work