What should I do if I think someone is using my Social Security number? (2024)

FAQs

What should I do if I think someone is using my Social Security number? ›

You can also call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY 1-866-653-4261. or call 1-800-908-4490. Also, you should file an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint

How To Report Fraud. Do you suspect someone of committing fraud, waste, or abuse against Social Security? You can submit a report online at oig.ssa.gov or contact the OIG's fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271. The OIG will carefully review your allegation and take appropriate action.

Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-908-4490 or visit them online, if you believe someone is using your SSN to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes. Order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

If you know your Social Security information has been compromised, you can request to Block Electronic Access. This is done by calling our National 800 number (Toll Free 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).

One of the best ways to check if someone has been using your identity is to look at your credit report. Because your credit report has information about your credit accounts and credit applications, you can tell immediately if someone has tried to use your identity.

You can also place what's known as a self-lock on your SSN through E-Verify^® at www.e-verify.gov, a government service that employers use to confirm a job applicant's eligibility to work.

Regularly check your credit report and bank statements.

Check for the warning signs of identity theft — such as strange charges on your bank statement or accounts you don't recognize. An identity theft protection service like Aura can monitor your credit and statements for you and alert you to any signs of fraud.

Request for Identity Verification from the IRS

This online service is the quickest method and will ask you multiple-choice questions to verify whether or not the tax return flagged for further identity verification was filed by you or someone else. The IRS only sends such notices by mail.

The Social Security Administration does allow you to change your number, but only under limited circ*mstances, such as identity theft or if your safety is in danger. You will also need to supply appropriate documentation to support your application for a new number. Social Security Administration.

How much does it cost to lock your Social Security number? ›

There is NO COST to place or lift a security freeze. For more information, see detailed instructions entitled “Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit Report to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft” below. 5. Review your credit reports carefully.

There is no charge for correcting your Social Security card or getting one for the first time.

Report identity theft and get a recovery plan. IdentityTheft.gov can help you report and recover from identity theft.

There are a few ways you can flag your social security number. The primary way to do this is to through a fraud alert, which will put extra protections in place for people trying to access or use your social security number or other private account details associated with your credit.

Generally, it takes about three to five months to get a decision. However, the exact time depends on how long it takes to get your medical records and any other evidence needed to make a decision.

An SSN Trace is an essential tool for helping locate criminal records and is a dependable resource for expanding the scope of a background check to include locations where a person has lived and other names they may have used.