How to Find Out if Someone is Using Your Social Security Number
The problem may have started innocently enough. You received a phone call from a creditor asking about a past due balance on a credit account that you weren’t familiar with, and you simply assumed they had you mixed up with somebody else. Or maybe you saw a suspicious entry about an account on a credit report - one that you know you never had opened. It takes a little while to realize that something is very, very wrong. But when you do realize it, panic sets in - because you know you’ve had your identity stolen.
It’s only 9 numbers long, but it’s probably the most important 9 numbers you’ll ever have. It’s your Social Security Number (SSN), and it’s unique to you and you alone. Every person who works has an SSN, and each one is different. They’re used for everything from opening a credit card account to employment verification to personal banking to identity verification to, well, just about anything you can think of. You have to remember, Social Security identity theft is a big business, and you want to stop the crook before more damage is done.
It’s only 9 numbers long, but it’s probably the most important 9 numbers you’ll ever have. It’s your Social Security Number (SSN), and it’s unique to you and you alone. Every person who works has an SSN, and each one is different. They’re used for everything from opening a credit card account to employment verification to personal banking to identity verification to, well, just about anything you can think of. You have to remember, Social Security identity theft is a big business, and you want to stop the crook before more damage is done.
Identity Thieves Want Your Number
Social Security numbers are so important, that identity thieves will pay top dollar to get ahold of a person’s SSN. Here’s why: with a social security number, a cyberthief can open credit card accounts in your name, with your SSN, then charge all types of merchandise with no intention of ever paying for any of it. And guess whose credit rating that will damage? If you guessed your own, you’re right. But that’s just for starters.
Because your tax returns are all based on your SSN for identification purposes, a cybercrook can file a phony tax return and ask for your refund, using a different address of course. Sadly, if you file a return requesting a refund and it’s denied because the IRS says that the refund has already been issued, the cybercrook already stole your SSN and beat you to it.
Of course, Social Security numbers and accounts are linked to your tax information, so if you have retirement or unemployment benefits coming to you at some point, and you file for them only to find out they’re already being paid, somebody stole your SSN.
Some thieves steal Social Security numbers for the sole purpose of stealing your medical insurance. With your SSN, a thief can obtain medical procedures and medications using a phony insurance account. It’s a serious problem, because their medical information can get mixed up with yours, with potentially devastating effects.
Because your tax returns are all based on your SSN for identification purposes, a cybercrook can file a phony tax return and ask for your refund, using a different address of course. Sadly, if you file a return requesting a refund and it’s denied because the IRS says that the refund has already been issued, the cybercrook already stole your SSN and beat you to it.
Of course, Social Security numbers and accounts are linked to your tax information, so if you have retirement or unemployment benefits coming to you at some point, and you file for them only to find out they’re already being paid, somebody stole your SSN.
Some thieves steal Social Security numbers for the sole purpose of stealing your medical insurance. With your SSN, a thief can obtain medical procedures and medications using a phony insurance account. It’s a serious problem, because their medical information can get mixed up with yours, with potentially devastating effects.
Was Your SSN Stolen?
Unfortunately, most people don’t find out that their SSN has been stolen until it’s too late and a lot of damage has already been done. Rather than working to solve the problem after it’s been stolen, there are ways to find out if your SSN is being used by some cybercriminal. Here are some of the things you can do to determine if fraudulent activity is occurring using your Social Security number.
Nobody knows your checking and bank account activity like you do, so start by reviewing your most recent bank statement. Look for odd and unusual charges or ones that you simply don’t recognize - it could mean that someone has stolen your identity by accessing your SSN. The Social Security Association lists this as a primary sign of SSN fraud. Call your bank immediately to report the fraudulent charges or activity.
Even if you don’t see any problems within your bank accounts, you still could be the victim of SSN theft. So the next step is to check your credit report to see if any new accounts have been opened or if there have been credit inquiries from companies you don’t recognize or have never requested credit from. Also, make sure that key information is correct - like birthdays, addresses and employment information.
Check with all of the 3 main credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. You could contact each one, or, you could go to the website that’s confirmed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as the best place to obtain your credit report from each reporting agency at no cost to you. If you do find problems on your credit report, inform each credit agency and freeze your credit.
A credit freeze will prevent cybercrooks from opening any new accounts, but it won’t help to resolve the fraudulent ones that were already opened. If your SSN was stolen, you’ll want to be sure to remove all public information from people search sites where your SSN can appear. You can do this manually, but there are over 100 sites and each one has a different process - which could take insane amounts of time and effort. Or, you could have this done automatically for you using OneRep technology that has proprietary algorithms that will wipe all of your personal info from every one of those sites. By clearing those sites, cybercrooks won’t have easy access to your SSN.
Nobody knows your checking and bank account activity like you do, so start by reviewing your most recent bank statement. Look for odd and unusual charges or ones that you simply don’t recognize - it could mean that someone has stolen your identity by accessing your SSN. The Social Security Association lists this as a primary sign of SSN fraud. Call your bank immediately to report the fraudulent charges or activity.
Even if you don’t see any problems within your bank accounts, you still could be the victim of SSN theft. So the next step is to check your credit report to see if any new accounts have been opened or if there have been credit inquiries from companies you don’t recognize or have never requested credit from. Also, make sure that key information is correct - like birthdays, addresses and employment information.
Check with all of the 3 main credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. You could contact each one, or, you could go to the website that’s confirmed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as the best place to obtain your credit report from each reporting agency at no cost to you. If you do find problems on your credit report, inform each credit agency and freeze your credit.
A credit freeze will prevent cybercrooks from opening any new accounts, but it won’t help to resolve the fraudulent ones that were already opened. If your SSN was stolen, you’ll want to be sure to remove all public information from people search sites where your SSN can appear. You can do this manually, but there are over 100 sites and each one has a different process - which could take insane amounts of time and effort. Or, you could have this done automatically for you using OneRep technology that has proprietary algorithms that will wipe all of your personal info from every one of those sites. By clearing those sites, cybercrooks won’t have easy access to your SSN.
Preventing Problems
We’ve reviewed some of the steps you need to take if you suspect that your SSN has been stolen, but an ounce of prevention is better than trying to resolve problems after the fact. So, make sure your device is using the latest operating system, because it will have the latest security fixes to prevent cybercrooks from accessing your information. Be sure you’re using the latest antivirus software on your device, like Norton Antivirus, Kaspersky Internet Service and Avira. Plus, always use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when accessing the Internet from public places like airport lounges and coffee shops. Some of the top ones include Hotspot Shield, Surfshark and ExpressVPN.
By following these simple protocols, using your good judgment on who has access to your computer or other devices and being cautious about looking for suspicious emails, you’ll have a better chance of keeping your SSN intact.
By following these simple protocols, using your good judgment on who has access to your computer or other devices and being cautious about looking for suspicious emails, you’ll have a better chance of keeping your SSN intact.
