Identity theft has become one of the most frequent crimes committed in the United States (and around the world), so this fraud should be reported immediately to Social Security, as it will bring you serious consequences.
So how do you verify Social Security number theft? Keep reading this article to find out if someone is fraudulently using your identity.
What if I am a victim of Social Security number theft?
If you suspect that someone is making use of your social security benefits, it is likely so, but don’t worry, at ssaoffice.net we have the solution to this unfortunate, but frequent, fraud.
If you are a victim of Social Security Number theft, the thief will be able to make use of your identity and carry out procedures in your name. Among the most common frauds committed with Social Security Number theft, the thief will be able to open new bank accounts, file fraudulent tax returns, deplete the money you have saved, and other movements that will unknowingly harm you.
How do I verify that someone has been using my SSN?
If you have already realized that you are a victim of Social Security Number theft, do not despair, this can be solved, but you must act as quickly as possible to prevent the thief from continuing to benefit from your SSN. From ssaoffice.net we tell you some ways to control your SSN.
- To check if you are a victim of these identity thieves, you can do it in your credit reports. On the Annual Credit Report website, you can get a free copy of this report to keep up to date with the movements in your account.
- Log in to your My Social Security account (if you don’t have one, create one). There you can check every transaction made with your SSN, such as your work history, earnings, and other information that will help you know if you were a victim of Social Security Number theft.
- Check your mail and e-mail. If you stop receiving notifications through these channels, it may be an indication of Social Security Number theft.
- Go to the official IRS (Internal Revenue Service) website by clicking here and get a copy of your latest tax transcript. There, you will be able to verify if someone has been using your SSN.
TIP: Check your credit score, in case it has changed drastically for no reason, you may be a victim of Social Security Number theft.
What to do if your social security number is stolen?
We already told you about the signs that someone may be using your SSN. Here are some tips to help you report this identity theft so you won’t regret it in the future.
Report the theft of your SSN immediately
If you suspect someone is stealing your identity, you should contact one of the SSN-related agencies. First, contact the police, although they often cannot solve the problem, but you should request an affidavit of theft or a police report.
Then, you should notify the Social Security Administration (SSA), the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of the theft.
Freeze your accounts
To prevent the thief from making use of your savings, you should freeze all of your accounts as soon as possible. To do this, notify your bank to cancel your cards and any credit, if you have applied for credit with a credit bureau, with whom you will have to place a fraud alert on your SSN.
Request a replacement of your social security card.
This not only applies if your SSN has been stolen, but also if you have lost your card. You will need to apply for a replacement Social Security card by logging into My Social Security and uploading a copy of your driver’s license, depending on the state in which you reside.
If you are unable to do this online, mail your application, or go to a Social Security office to apply for a replacement card.
IMPORTANT: In more serious cases, you will be given a new Social Security number for prevention.
5 signs that you have been a victim of social security number theft
Here are some signs that could indicate that your SSN is being used by someone else. We recommend that you pay attention to the following five points to avoid greater inconveniences in the future.
Password Reset Emails
One of the SSA’s main means of communication is email. To obtain Social Security benefits, you must have an email address, with which you can create your digital account to keep track of the movements you make in your account.
In case you have received an e-mail with a request to change your password, it could be that someone is trying to hack your account.
The only thing you should do is to ignore these emails, as it could be a phishing scam, used by thieves to commit fraud. In case the email comes from a verified email, log in and change your password immediately, as they are warning you that someone else wants to access your account.
Credit score changes
If you notice drastic changes in your credit score, it’s a sign that you may be a victim of social security number theft, so you should act quickly and notify the agencies so they can give you a copy of your credit report and check for accounts that don’t belong to you.
Strange bank records
With your SSN you can access your bank accounts. This means that if a thief stole your SSN, he or she will have access to your accounts and even create new ones.
If you notice changes in your financial information, such as money transfers, new debit card registrations or other suspicious actions that would harm your credit profile, contact your bank’s fraud department as soon as possible.
Letters in the mail from the bank or IRS
The IRS always communicates with its payees by mail, so if you receive a phone call, don’t take it seriously. If you receive a letter in the mail from the IRS, you may have a problem with your account, as someone else may be using it to get tax refunds, or some other illegal move on the part of the fraudster.
False tax returns
As we mentioned at the beginning, this is one of the top scams that took place in recent times thanks to Social Security Number theft. Thieves use your SSN and your name to file taxes and get tax refunds.