What to Do When an Identity Thief Is Using Your SSN

Federation To Protect
4 min readAug 12, 2016

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Whenever a criminal obtains another person’s Social Security number, it’s like a free pass to commit all manner of identity theft, Social Security fraud, and a whole host of other crimes in the victim’s name. This is one of the most important reasons why it is not advised that people keep their Social Security cards in their purse or wallet. From the moment a Social Security card is issued to a person when they are a young child, these cards should be kept only in a safe location, preferably in a lockable and fireproof container. They should not be kept with credit cards, your driver’s license, passports- or with anything that you handle often. Ideally, you should memorize your Social Security number (SSN) so that you will not be tempted to carry the card around with you.

Follow this simple advice and it will be very unlikely that anyone will ever access your SSN without your knowledge. While there is still a remote possibility that anyone working for an employer, bank, or other institution that regularly takes SSNs, the chance of such a theft is unlikely. Plus, as long as your SSN has only been given to such entities, chances are good that any SSN related fraud will be easily found out and your credit restored.

However, if for whatever reason you believe that someone has accessed your SSN, you are not helpless. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is able to help in most cases, and they will be happy to point you in the direction that you need to go to reestablish secure the integrity of your identity and your rightful credit rating. What the SSA cannot do is restore your credit score. That will be up to you.

Here is a list of important steps you should take when you believe your SSN has been stolen and that it is being used to commit fraud:

1. Keep calm, and focus

Identity theft can be very stressful. There’s only one person who can resolve the issue, and that person is you. Know that fixing the problem will not happen overnight. It could take months, or longer to sort out all the entanglements that an identity thief can create. You will need to be focused and calm so that you can carefully and methodically fix the problem.

2. Get in touch with the credit reporting agencies

Make sure that Equifax, TransUnion, or Experion know about your situation so that they can place an alert on your credit report. These agencies are required to inform each other whenever a stolen SSN is reported, however, it might be a good idea to contact each of them yourself just to be sure. The alert they place on your file should prevent a criminal from creating any new accounts using your identity.

· Equifax: 1–800–525–6285; www.equifax.com

· Experian: 1–888–397–3742; www.experian.com

· TransUnion: 1–800–680–7289; www.transunion.com

3. Obtain a copy of your credit report

Each of the credit agencies is required by law to give you a copy of your credit report for free at the time of your instantiating the fraud alert. Take a close look at these reports, scanning carefully for any accounts that you did not open yourself. This will help you to track your ID thief.

4. Document your actions

Write a list of the creditors you contact and email, (do both for each). Record the names and titles of everyone you speak with when you call for a fraud alert. Make a detailed list of all of the communications you have with each creditor. Always keep in mind that you are building a case against any allegations that may come against you and rebuild your credit and credibility from the ground up. The records must be accurate and complete in every detail.

5. Alert the FTC

The Federal Trade Commission can be reached via their Identity Theft Hotline as well as through their online complaint form. Contact them through both avenues and document your actions.

· 1–877–438–4338

· https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

6. Contact the SSA

Complete the Social Security Administration’s online complaint form AND call their toll-free hotline to report the theft of your SSN.

1–800–269–0271

When an identity thief has wrongfully used your SSN, it can take time to recover from the damage to your credit and your reputation. Know that you are not alone. Millions of people have suffered the same thing, and there are plenty of resources and organizations dedicated and willing to help people like you.*

*This article provides broad and general guidelines and does not constitute professional or legal advice. You should not use this article as a substitute for your own judgment, and you should consult professional advisers before making any advertising, tax, legal, financial planning or investment decisions.

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Federation To Protect
Federation To Protect

Written by Federation To Protect

The Federation To Protect is a non-profit organization created with the purpose to provide responsible options to ensure consumers’ trust.

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