What To Do If a Scammer Has Your Social Security Number

What Happens If Scammers Get Your SSN?

Your Social Security number (SSN) is one of your most valuable pieces of personal information — and scammers are always looking for new ways to steal it.

For one 62-year-old woman, scammers targeted her with a phone call claiming to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and threatened her with jail time if she didn’t hand over her SSN and bank account number [*].

Luckily, the woman didn’t fall for the scam. But the scary truth is that your SSN could be vulnerable, even if you avoid scams like this. According to the latest research [*]:

Stolen data – including millions of Social Security numbers — can be bought on the Dark Web for as little as $2 each.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to tell if your SSN has been compromised and how to protect yourself against identity theft, fraud, and SSN theft.

How To Tell If Someone Is Using Your SSN: 9 Warning Signs 

There are many ways scammers can get a hold of your SSN — from data breaches to scam calls, mail theft, or even a stolen wallet or purse. 

Once they have your SSN, scammers can use it for numerous types of fraud — from opening bank accounts in your name to stealing your tax refund or even posing as you during police interactions.

Unfortunately, Social Security number theft isn’t always easy to spot. For example, if your SSN is leaked and scammers use it to take out government benefits in your name, you’ll only find out if you try to take out benefits yourself and are denied.

Spotting the early signs of SSN fraud is an essential part of protecting your identity. Here are nine warning signs indicating that scammers could be using your SSN:

1. Your personal information was leaked to the Dark Web. Hackers buy and sell sensitive data that’s been stolen in data breaches on the Dark Web. You can use Identity Guard’s free Dark Web scanner to see if your accounts have been compromised. Then, do a Google search on the specific data breach to find out what type of sensitive data was leaked.
2. Being turned down for credit. Scammers can use your SSN to take out loans or open new credit accounts that could negatively impact your credit score.
3. Calls from debt collectors about charges you don’t recognize. Fraudsters rack up charges on credit cards and debit cards that they’ve opened in your name, leaving you to deal with creditors when the debt is unpaid.
4. Your Social Security card is missing. Smart wallet thieves won’t just take your cash and run — they’ll steal your SSN card and commit identity theft.
5. Your mySocial Security account shows unfamiliar benefits or income. Opening a free mySocial Security account will alert you whenever someone tries to log in to your account, receive benefits in your name, or open a duplicate account.
6. Phishing emails or texts that include your SSN. In these emails or text messages, fraudsters pose as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents, claiming you failed to pay Social Security tax and owe a fine. Or, they spoof the Social Security Administration’s 1-800 number on your caller ID and explain that your Social Security card has “expired.” Scammers claim you can reinstate your SSN by paying a fee via a payment app or with gift cards.
7. The IRS is sending you strange documents. Scammers may use your SSN to report fraudulent income and benefits to the IRS and then steal your refund. If you get tax documents that you didn’t request, or receive an IRS letter warning you about identity theft, scammers could have your SSN.
8. A W-2 or 1099 documenting income from a job you didn’t work. Grifters can use your SSN and address to get a job or obtain contract work. You’ll only find out by checking your Social Security statement or if you receive employment documents from an employer you don’t recognize.
9. Suspicious withdrawals or transactions on your bank statements. Con artists use your SSN and other personal data to hack into and drain your bank accounts before you have time to close them.

💡 Related: How To Check If Someone Is Using Your Identity In 2023 →

What To Do If Scammers Have Your Social Security Number

1. File an official identity theft report with the FTC
2. Freeze your credit with all three credit bureaus
3. Verify your benefits information with the SSA
4. Submit a Social Security fraud report
5. Use the SSA’s myE-Verify service to “lock” your SSN
6. Check your credit reports for further signs of fraud
7. Contact any company or agency where your SSN was used
8. Dispute fraudulent charges, accounts, and claims
9. Consider signing up for identity theft protection with SSN monitoring

If you accidentally gave your SSN to scammers or it was leaked in a data breach, it’s important to act fast. The quicker you report the incident and cover your financial bases, the less damage fraudsters can cause. Here’s what to do:

1. File an official identity theft report with the FTC

Proving that you’ve been the victim of identity theft can be a long and complicated process. Impacted companies may believe that you’re the criminal trying to take over someone’s account or identity.

An official report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) acts as proof of who you are and that your identity has been stolen. You’ll need this report for most or all steps related to the identity recovery process — from closing fraudulent accounts to disputing tax fraud.

How to report identity theft to the FTC:

• File a report online. The easiest way to file an FTC identity theft affidavit is by doing so online at IdentityTheft.gov. You’ll be asked to prove your identity and provide details of the crime. The FTC will also supply you with a personalized recovery plan to help you secure your identity.
• Call the FTC’s identity theft hotline. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can call 1-877-438-4338 to initiate an identity theft report.
• Report fraud to the FTC. Start filing a report by visiting ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Be ready to share how scammers got access to your SSN, what they did with it, and how you or affected companies responded. This report will help the authorities track down scammers — but it won’t start an investigation into your identity theft.
• Consider filing a report with your local police. If you know the scammer or think you have information that could lead to an arrest, you should file an identity theft report with your local law enforcement.

🎯 Pro tip: Don’t get stuck dealing with identity theft on your own. With Identity Guard, you have access to White Glove Fraud Resolution Specialists who can walk you through the steps to take if scammers use your SSN. Save 33% when you sign up for Identity Guard today.

2. Freeze your credit with all three credit bureaus

A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, preventing you or anyone else (including scammers) from opening new lines of credit. Freezes are free and last until you remove them. You’ll still be able to buy insurance, rent an apartment, or apply for a job during the freeze [*].

How to freeze your credit:

To freeze your credit, you’ll need to contact each of the three major credit bureaus individually – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Provide proof of your identity, and then request a PIN that allows you to freeze and unfreeze your report.

Here’s the contact information for each of the three credit reporting agencies:

3. Verify your benefits information with the SSA

If scammers use your SSN to receive benefits from Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Social Security, it will show up on your benefit verification letter (also known as a “proof of income letter” or “proof of award letter”).

If your letter reflects benefits that you never signed up for or never received, you’ll need to contact the impacted government agencies and file a claim.

To request a letter, you can create a mySocial Security account or call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213 weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., local time.

Note: You must be 18 or older to create a mySocial Security account. You cannot get a benefit verification letter online for a spouse or child unless they are beneficiaries for whom you are an active representative payee [*].

4. Submit a Social Security fraud report

If your SSN has been fraudulently used, the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG) can investigate on your behalf. You can contact the SSA OIG’s hotline at 1-800-269-0271 or submit a claim online.

Make sure you have this information ready before calling:

• How you think the scammer obtained your SSN (mail fraud, phishing, data leaks), and when it happened.
• What the scammer did with your SSN — such as applying for employment, draining bank accounts, or applying for new loans — and when those events occurred.
• Which companies or banks issued a loan to the scammer.

You can use this same information if you decide to file a police report with your local law enforcement. While police don’t normally investigate Social Security scams, a police report can still help you dispute fraudulent accounts or loans.

💡 Related: Do You Need Identity Theft Protection? →

5. Use the SSA’s myE-verify service to “lock” your SSN

You can prevent scammers from using your SSN for employment by using the SSA’s security freeze feature.

To institute a freeze, call 1-800-772-1213 or contact your local Social Security office. You can also self-lock your SSN by visiting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “myE-Verify” website.

To lock your Social Security number with myE-Verify:

• Create a myE-Verify account. Head to the myE-Verify website and provide your email address, SSN, and other personal details (such as your date of birth and phone number). You’ll be asked questions based on your credit history to prove your identity.
• Navigate to “Manage my SSN” and then click on “Lock my SSN.” From there, set Self Lock challenge questions, and click on “Lock My SSN” again. When you need to unlock your SSN, you’ll sign in to your myE-Verify account and answer the challenge questions.

6. Check your credit reports for further signs of fraud

SSN theft can show up weeks, months, or even years after your SSN is stolen. It’s important to regularly review your credit report to make sure scammers haven’t taken out loans or opened new accounts in your name.

By law, all Americans are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three bureaus per week until the end of 2023 [*]. You can request a credit report by visiting  AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228 (TTY: 1-800-821-7232).

Here’s what to look for on your credit report:

• Inaccurate employment information
• Incorrect bill payment history
• Wrong account holder status (scammers can make themselves primary account holders)
• Loans you don’t recognize
• Debt you don’t recall incurring, or incorrect credit limits and balances
• Bankruptcy or lawsuit records you never knew existed
• Hard inquiries when you haven’t opened a new credit card or loan

You can dispute issues by contacting either the credit reporting bureau that issued the report or the original lender. Clearly explain what the error is, why you are disputing it, and provide copies of your FTC, SSA, and police reports. Consider using the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s template letter.

7. Contact any company or agency where your SSN was used

You’ll need to clear your name anywhere that your SSN was fraudulently used.

Here’s what to do if a criminal used your SSN for:

• Tax fraud. Call 1-800-908-4490. If your e-filed return is rejected as a duplicate, complete IRS Form 14039, an identity theft Affidavit, and mail them to the address on the form. You can request a copy of a fraudulent return by filling out and mailing in Form 4506-F. The IRS will acknowledge your request within 30 days of receipt; and within 90 days, you will receive the return or follow-up correspondence [*].
• SSA benefits. Call the OIG’s fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271. Alternatively, submit a report online at oig.ssa.gov. But know that you may not hear about the exact actions OIG took. Federal regulations prohibit the disclosure of information contained in law enforcement records, even to the person making the allegation [*].
• Illegal employment. Contact the Social Security Administration and ask them to review and update your earnings. It will take several weeks for the SSA to update its records. In the meantime, do not include the income on your tax return or file an amended return [*].

8. Dispute fraudulent charges, accounts, or claims

Filling out credit agency dispute forms may help you fix your credit report, but the bureaus won’t help you get your money back. For that, you need to contact your bank, credit card company, employer, landlord, or any other financial institutions affected by fraudulent activity.  

First, find the organization’s fraud department contact information. This is usually listed on an official member or customer support page.

Then, follow the instructions to file a dispute. Be sure to include:

• Your account number, holder name(s), and past addresses.
• A full explanation of the dispute — the how, what, and when.
• Evidence of fraud, such as FTC, SSA, and credit reports. Use specific amount charges and transaction dates to support your claims.

💡 Related: How To Protect Your Personal Information Online →

9. Consider signing up for identity theft protection with SSN monitoring

Uncovering and recovering from SSN theft is a time-consuming and expensive process. That’s why millions of Americans use identity protection services like Identity Guard.

Identity Guard monitors your SSN and other sensitive information — such as your full name and address, credit card numbers, passport, and more — for suspicious activity. You’ll get a fraud alert in near real-time if any of your data has been leaked or is being fraudulently used.

With Identity Guard, you’ll also get three-bureau credit monitoring and robust protection against hackers, along with Safe Browsing tools and a secure password manager.

And if the worst should happen, you’ll have access to 24/7 support from Identity Guard’s U.S.-based Customer Care team as well as $1 million in insurance coverage for eligible losses due to identity theft.

🏆 Save on award-winning identity theft protection. Identity Guard has helped protect more than 38 million Americans from identity theft. Save up to 33% when you become an Identity Guard member today.

Can You Get a New SSN If Yours Is Compromised?

You most likely won’t be able to get a new number if your Social Security number is compromised or being used by scammers. Instead, it’s always better to limit the damage scammers can do once they have your SSN.

However, if you’re facing one of these situations, you may be eligible for a new SSN:

• You’re dealing with ongoing fraud and identity theft and you have exhausted all other options to protect yourself.
• You’re in physical danger or are being stalked.
• The sequence of numbers in your SSN goes against your religious beliefs.
• Someone already has your SSN and it’s causing confusion and issues with your credit.
• Your family member has a near-identical SSN and name and it’s causing you issues.

Note: Changing your SSN can cause more headaches than benefits. If you feel you absolutely must change your SSN after a scammer has access to it, you may deal with difficulties obtaining loans, replacement ID (such as passports and driver’s licenses), or accessing your credit report and Social Security earning statements.

How To Protect Your SSN From Scammers and Hackers

Safeguarding your SSN is critical for protecting yourself and your family against identity theft and fraud. But in today’s world, it’s nearly impossible to stop scammers from gaining access to your SSN.

While identity theft protection can help warn you after your SSN has been compromised or used, there are proactive measures you can take to curb the probability of Social Security theft:

• Be selective about where and to whom you provide your SSN and other sensitive information. Only use your SSN when it’s absolutely necessary. Most companies will accept your driver’s license instead.
• Don’t carry your Social Security card with you. Memorize your SSN so that you don’t have to reference your card often. Store your Social Security card in a digital wallet or safety deposit box — wallets are easily stolen.
• Set up unique passwords for every account, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA). If identity thieves guess a reused password, they can instantly gain access to multiple accounts. And without additional authentication, scammers can use your SSN to reset your bank, social media, or mySocial Security passwords. Keep your accounts locked down with a combination of biometric factors and codes by using authenticator apps.
• Shred sensitive documents right away. Shred documents containing personal identifying information (PII) as soon as you are done reviewing them.

Monitoring your personal and financial accounts is the only way to detect and stop identity scams that damage your credit and reputation.

Identity Guard defends against identity thieves — alerting you in near real-time to suspicious bank account transactions, credit changes, and data leaks. In cases of identity theft, U.S.-based fraud agents are available to support you 24/7, and Identity Guard’s $1,000,000 insurance policy keeps you covered.

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