How to Identify and Address Social Security Number Fraud in Your Name
Identifying when someone is using your Social Security Number (SSN) for work or other fraudulent activities can be a daunting task. However, there are several steps you can take to determine if your SSN is being misused and how to address this issue.
Checking Your SSN Usage
The easiest way to determine if your SSN is being used fraudulently is by creating a My SSA account through the Social Security Administration (SSA). This allows you to review your reported wages and see if there are any earnings from work that you did not earn. Additionally, you can create an IRS account, named , to check if any tax returns have been filed under your SSN.
Furthermore, requesting your credit reports from all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) can help you determine if your SSN has been used to secure credit. It's also wise to sign up for credit monitoring with services that provide dark web search alerts to ensure that your personal information remains secure.
Understanding the Process of Obtaining an SSN
The process of obtaining an SSN has changed over the years. If you were born after the 1970s and in most cases, your SSN was likely applied for by the hospital or your parents/guardians at the time of your birth. For individuals born prior to the 1970s, an SSN was typically obtained only when going into the workforce, unless born in a federal or military hospital.
What to Do if Your SSN is Being Misused
To resolve this issue, visiting the nearest Social Security office with your state ID and birth certificate is recommended. If you don't have your birth certificate, you can obtain it from the county clerk's office where you were born. The Social Security office can help uncover the source of the fraud, stop it, and even prosecute the perpetrator, although this is rare. In most cases, it will be someone you know.
Reporting unknown income in your SS record to the SSA can help them track down the individual using your SSN for work. It is advised to also lock all three of your credit reports to prevent anyone from using your SSN to take out loans or open credit cards in your name. If you have evidence of identity theft, filing a police report may be necessary, though results may vary.
For example, I recently discovered that my mother's SSN had been stolen and I locked her credit reports. From time to time, she still receives reports of loans or credit denials due to insufficient credit history. This is because the dark web can't access her credit report due to her stellar credit history, which is visible in public records despite her being deceased for nearly a decade. This situation highlights the complexity and persistence of identity theft.
By taking proactive steps to secure your SSN and personal information, you can better protect yourself from identity fraud and ensure that your financial and professional integrity are maintained.