How Does Identity Theft Occur? All that is needed is a little information, such as your social security number, birth date, address, phone number, or any other information which can be discovered.
Identity thieves can use your SSN and other personal information to apply for loans and credit cards and open cellphone and utility accounts in your name. If you believe your information has been stolen and you may be a victim of identity theft, you can: Visit IdentityTheft.gov to make a report and get a recovery plan.
If you suspect your personal information or identity was stolen, placing a credit freeze can help protect you from fraud.
A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report until you are ready to use it. That means you and anyone else won't be able to open a new credit account with the freeze in place. You can temporarily 'thaw' the freeze if you want to apply for new credit.
No. While a security freeze can help keep an identity thief from opening most new accounts in your name, it will not prevent all types of identity theft (such as; criminal, driver's license, government benefit, insurance, medical, and Social Security).
You can call the SSA to lock your SSN. Contact them at 1-800-772-1213, and make sure you have additional proof of your identity when you speak to them. Additional forms of identification could include a driver's license or passport.
Identity Theft: If you think an identity thief is using your SSN to work or to collect benefits, call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. If you think someone may be using your SSN to work, check your Social Security Personal Earnings and Benefit Statement.
In 2023, Social Security numbers were exposed in 69% of all data breaches, up 60% from 2022 [*]. If criminals manage to compromise your SSN, they could open bank accounts, obtain credit cards, access medical care, and claim tax returns.
File a police report about the identity theft, and get a copy of the police report or the report number. Bring your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit when you file a police report. Attach your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit to your police report to make an Identity Theft Report.
Conduct regular credit checks to verify whether someone has applied for credit using your personal information and if so, advise the credit grantor immediately. Investigate and register for credit related alerts offered by credit bureaus. Check your bank statements regularly.
Can Someone Open a Credit Card or Bank Account in Your Name? Yes. Scammers can use your stolen information to open credit cards, bank accounts, or even take out loans in your name — leaving you to pick up the pieces and dispute the debts. In 2023 alone, scammers opened over 381,000 fraudulent credit card accounts [*].
The straightforward answer is yes; you can go to jail if someone steals your identity.
With just your name and address:
Scammers can find enough information to target you with phishing emails or direct mail.
You'll know that another person filed a tax return in your name if you try to file and the IRS rejects your return. The IRS will explain in the rejection that a return associated with your Social Security Number has already been filed. Why would someone do this? In extremely rare cases, it could be accidental.
There is no federal reserve bank that your social security number is linked to. A claim otherwise is a scam. The only accounts at the Fed are for member banks.
Go to the website of any of the three major credit bureaus and select that you want to add a fraud alert. Note: You only need to do it at one credit bureau. Once you place the fraud alert at any of the three bureaus, they automatically notify the other two.
Identity thieves who get their hands on your SSN can use it to get a job in your name, rack up credit card debt against your credit score and to steal your tax refund. To stop cybercriminals in their tracks, you may want to lock your Social Security number.
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).
The Social Security Administration does allow you to change your number, but only under limited circumstances, 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.
Freezing your credit information goes a long way toward preventing identity theft. A freeze creates a block on your credit information until you unfreeze it. This powerful tool protects you from someone attempting to open new accounts in your name without your knowledge.