To see if your Social Security number is being used by someone else for employment purposes, review your Social Security Statement at my Social Security | SSAto look for suspicious activity. Finally, you'll want to use additional scrutiny by regularly checking your bank and credit card accounts online.
You may not find out that someone is using your SSN until you're turned down for credit, or you begin to get calls from unknown creditors demanding payment for items you never bought. We protect your SSN and keep your records confidential. We don't give your number to anyone, except when authorized by law.
If you know your Social Security information has been compromised, you can request to Block Electronic Access. This is done by calling our National 800 number (Toll Free 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
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).
On the My Home page scroll down to the Your Benefit Applications section and select View Details under the More Info heading. View your application status in the Current Status section. Check the status of your Social Security application online today!
There is NO COST to place or lift a security freeze. For more information, see detailed instructions entitled “Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit Report to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft” below. 5. Review your credit reports carefully.
To verify your identity and tax return status, call us at 800-908-4490. We can't give your refund status or other tax information at this number. For tax account answers, call 800-829-1040. To verify your notice or letter, search for it online or call us at 800-829-1040.
Someone may have filed a tax return using your SSN if it was found on the dark web, which could have triggered a notice from the IRS. Contact the IRS immediately if you think or know you are a victim of identity theft.
However, locking your SSN not only stops a thief from claiming your benefits but also prevents you from receiving any benefits. If your SSN is locked and you give your SSN to a new employer to verify your identity, your employer will be told that your SSN does not match your identity because it is locked.
You can get your Social Security Statement (Statement) online by using your personal my Social Security account. Your online Statement gives you secure and convenient access to estimates for retirement, disability, and survivors benefits you and your family may be eligible for.
Social Security offers two options to verify Social Security numbers: The Social Security Number Verification Service - This free online service allows registered users to verify that the names and Social Security numbers of hired employees match Social Security's records.
Social Security monitoring is an automated service that monitors how your SSN is being used. For example, if a fraudster uses your SSN to open a new bank account in your name, you'll be alerted and can shut it down.
If you think someone may be using your SSN to work, check your Social Security Personal Earnings and Benefit Statement. You can get a copy by calling 1-800-772-1213, or online at www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-7004.pdf.
You can't put a freeze on your Social Security number the same way you can freeze your credit, but aside from blocking electronic access to your SSN, there are other ways to guard your information.
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.
You can change your Social Security number under certain circumstances. For example, if you are a victim of identity theft, were assigned a duplicate number or are facing a threat to your safety, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will issue you a new Social Security number and card.
Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.
The SSN is valid for life, so you only need to apply once. Even if you change employers or leave the U.S., this number remains your number.