Is your Social Security Number Legit? How to verify its validity
Ever wonder if the Social Security number you’ve been using all these years is legit? With identity theft becoming more and more common, it’s a smart idea to verify the validity of such an important piece of personal information. After all, your SSN is the key that unlocks access to your financial accounts, tax records, work history, and more. If it fell into the wrong hands, someone could do some serious damage.
The good news is that checking your SSN’s validity is straight forward. The Social Security Administration allows you to verify your number for free to ensure everything is in good standing. Doing so regularly is one of the best ways to catch fraud early and protect yourself. Follow these steps to confirm your SSN is authentic so you can rest easy knowing your identity is secure.
What Is a Social Security Number?
A Social Security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents. The number is issued by the Social Security Administration and its primary purpose is to track an individual’s lifetime earnings and pay Social Security benefits.
What Your Social Security Number Signifies
Your SSN is an important part of your legal identity in the U.S. It is used by employers to report wages to the Social Security Administration and by the IRS for tax reporting purposes. Many financial institutions also use your SSN as an account identifier.
Unfortunately, due to its importance, your SSN is also commonly targeted by thieves and scammers looking to commit identity fraud. It’s critical to protect your SSN and check that it’s being used properly.
How to Verify Your Social Security Number
If you suspect your SSN has been compromised or want to check that it’s valid, you have a few options:
- Check your Social Security statement. Log into your Social Security account online and review your earnings statement to ensure all income listed matches your records. Report any discrepancies immediately.
2. Run a credit report. Request free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com and check that all accounts listed are ones you opened yourself. Look for signs of fraud like accounts you don’t recognize.
3. Contact the SSA. Call the Social Security Administration at 1–800–772–1213 or visit your local SSA office. They can check your records to verify your SSN and confirm whether it’s been used improperly. Report any fraud to them right away.
4. Monitor for unsolicited contact. Be on alert for phone calls, letters, or emails referencing your SSN, especially if you are asking for personal information or money. Legitimate companies will not ask for sensitive data like your SSN over the phone or in an email.
5. Consider an SSN fraud alert or freeze. Place an initial fraud alert or security freeze on your credit reports to lock access to your SSN. This can help prevent thieves from opening new accounts in your name.
6. Protecting your Social Security number is key to avoiding identity theft. By verifying its validity and monitoring its use, you can catch fraud early and limit the damage. Staying vigilant is the best way to keep your SSN and identity secure.
Why You Should Verify Your SSN
Your social security number is one of your most sensitive pieces of personal information. Unfortunately, identity theft is a serious crime, and thieves are always looking to steal social security numbers. That’s why it’s so important to verify your SSN to make sure no one else is using it fraudulently.
Check Your Social Security Statement
The Social Security Administration (SSA) mails out statements each year that provide your earnings and an estimate of future benefits. Review this statement carefully to ensure all the information like your name, date of birth, and listed wages are correct. If anything looks off, contact the SSA right away. They can place a fraud alert or freeze your SSN to lock access to your personal information and benefits.
Monitor Your Credit Report
Your credit report details all financial accounts under your SSN like credit cards, loans, and mortgages. You’re entitled to a free credit report from each of the three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — every 12 months at annualcreditreport.
Scrutinize the report for any unauthorized activity like new accounts you didn’t open, debts that aren’t yours, or address changes you never requested. These could indicate your SSN has been compromised. Place a fraud alert and file a police report immediately.
Check Public Records
Do a search for your SSN on public data broker websites and public records databases. Your SSN should not appear in any public records. If it does show up associated with someone else’s name or address, that indicates your number has likely been stolen. Act right away to lock down your SSN and accounts to prevent further fraud.
Be on Alert for Phishing Scams
Phishing scams requesting personal information like your SSN are common. Never provide sensitive data to any unsolicited phone calls, emails, texts, or links. Legitimate companies will not ask for your SSN or account numbers out of the blue. Be wary of imposters posing as government agencies, banks, creditors, or utility companies. When in doubt, contact the organization directly instead of using the contact information provided in the message.
Staying vigilant and verifying the validity of your SSN regularly can help you spot fraud early and take quick action. Protecting this crucial piece of ID will give you greater security and peace of mind for the future.
Signs Your SSN May Be Invalid
Your social security number is one of your most important personal identifiers, so it’s critical to verify its validity. Here are some signs your SSN may not be legit:
It contains invalid sequences or patterns.
Social Security numbers follow a standard format with three parts: the area number, group number, and serial number. The first three digits are the area number, the middle two are the group number, and the last four are the serial number. Invalid sequences like 000, 123, or 987 in any part of the number are a clue it may be fake. Legitimate SSNs are assigned randomly, not in any obvious pattern.
It belongs to someone else.
Unfortunately, identity theft is common, and someone else may use your number. Run a credit report to check for unknown accounts or loans opened in your name. You can also check with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify your number and work history. If there are discrepancies, your number may have been stolen.
It was never actually issued by the SSA.
Some numbers are made up out of whole cloth and were never officially assigned to anyone. The SSA can verify if a particular number is valid and was issued to you. If not, it’s likely fraudulent.
It’s being used for suspicious activity.
“If you receive notice that “”your”” SSN was used for a job application, loan request, or other activity you did not initiate, that’s a sign the number is not legitimate or has been stolen. Report suspected fraud to the SSA and credit bureaus immediately.”
It does not match your age or state of issuance.
The first three digits of your SSN correspond to the state where it was issued, and the middle two digits correspond to the year it was issued. If those details don’t match when you obtained your SSN, that indicates it may not belong to you.
If you suspect your social security number is invalid or has been stolen, contact the Social Security Administration right away to report the issue, check your records, and apply for a new SSN if necessary. It’s important to act quickly to limit potential fraud and protect your identity.
How to Check if a Social Security Number Is Valid
To verify if a social security number is legit, there are a few ways to check. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers some tools to help determine if an SSN is valid and not being used fraudulently.
Check with the SSA
The simplest way is to contact the SSA directly. You can call them at 1–800–772–1213 or visit your local SSA office. Provide the SSN in question and they can look it up in their records to confirm if it’s assigned to someone. They may ask for additional details like the person’s name and date of birth to verify fully.
Use the SSA’s Online Services
If you prefer to check online, register for ‘my Social Security’ at ssa.gov. Once logged in, select the ‘Social Security Number Verification’ service. Enter the SSN, name, and date of birth — if there’s a match in their records, it will confirm the number is valid. This helps ensure the number isn’t stolen or made up.
Check Credit Reports
Another way to verify if an SSN belongs to someone is by checking major credit reporting bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. See if any credit files, accounts, or reports are associated with that SSN. If there are, it indicates the number is likely assigned and in use. You may have to pay a small fee for a credit report, but it can be worth it for peace of mind in some situations.
Look for Ancestry/Genealogy Records
Some people have success searching ancestry databases and public records to find clues indicating if an SSN traces back to someone. See if that number appears on census records, old employment records, property deeds, or other documents. While not foolproof, if you find multiple matches for a name and that SSN spans many years, it adds credibility that it’s a legitimate number.
The key is not taking an SSN at face value and doing your due diligence to ensure it belongs to whoever claims it does. By verifying through multiple means, you have a better chance of detecting fraud and avoiding potential issues down the road.
What to Do if You Have an Invalid SSN
If you received an invalid Social Security number (SSN), don’t panic. There are a few steps you can take to verify if it’s truly invalid and get issued a new, legitimate number.
First, double-check that you entered the number correctly. Transcription errors happen, so verify each digit carefully. If it still comes back as invalid after triple-checking, it’s likely an improperly issued number.
Next, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm the invalid status. Explain your situation to the representative and ask them to check their records for that SSN. The SSA maintains comprehensive records of all legally issued SSNs. If they cannot find a match, it confirms the number is invalid.
At this point, you’ll need to apply for a new, legitimate SSN through the SSA. You can do this online, by phone, or in person at your local SSA office. Provide documents like a birth certificate, passport, or other proof of your age, identity, and U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status. The SSA will review your documents and issue you a proper nine-digit SSN to use going forward.
Once you have your new valid SSN, you’ll need to notify anyone who has your invalid number on file, such as:
Employers: Give them your new SSN for payroll and tax reporting purposes. Receiving an invalid SSN was not your fault, but taking prompt action to remedy the situation is critical. Verify the invalid status, apply for a new legitimate SSN, and update it with all relevant parties. Carefully monitoring your accounts and credit going forward is also a good idea. By following these steps, you can resolve this sensitive issue properly and move on knowing your SSN and identity are secure once again.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, a few easy ways to verify if that Social Security number is the real deal or not. Don’t just take someone’s word for it, especially for something important like a job or loan application. A little bit of checking now can save you from a major headache down the road. You work hard for your money and identity, so make sure no one is trying to take advantage of you with a fake SSN. Stay alert and take the necessary precautions. Your future self will thank you.