Social Security number (SSN) theft is extremely common, with reports suggesting that nearly 3 billion records, potentially covering most Americans, were involved in breaches, including a massive 2023 National Public Data incident. In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission received over 1.1 million identity theft complaints.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission received 1.1 million claims of identity theft in 2024, though that is believed to be a severe undercount of the complete number of victims. Even children often have their Social Security number stolen, and credit monitoring services rarely help victims much.
If someone has your Social Security number, they can commit multiple forms of identity theft, including opening new accounts, stealing government benefits, or filing fraudulent tax returns. The fallout can include debt, financial losses, and long-term damage to your credit.
You should contact your local law enforcement and the Social Security Administration immediately to report possible theft. Then, begin applying for your replacement card right away. This can be done for free through the SSA website.
If someone has misused your SSN or other personal information to create credit or other problems for you, there are several things you can do. or call 1-800-908-4490. File an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.
That means you should take even more extra precautions, such as:
Depending on your situation, you may be able to apply for a replacement card online. You might also consider calling the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 to report the lost social security card.
An identity thief could try to use your Social Security number to do things like open accounts, take out a loan, file taxes, or get a job.
The Best Victims for Identity Theft: Who's Most at Risk and How to Protect Yourself
Will locking my SSN protect me from identity theft? The answer here is pretty unsatisfying: It might. Locking your Social Security number can prevent employment identity theft or stop a criminal from collecting government benefits in your name. But it won't prevent all forms of ID theft.
How identity theft happens
Get help for identity theft
If someone has used your SSN to open a new account or make a purchase: Report it at IdentityTheft.gov and find out what to do next, including obtaining an FTC Identity Theft Report and a recovery plan.
Clues That Someone Has Stolen Your Information
Merchants refuse your checks. Debt collectors call you about debts that aren't yours. You find unfamiliar accounts or charges on your credit report. Medical providers bill you for services you didn't use.
With a stolen SSN, criminals can open new lines of credit, file taxes under your name, or even fraudulently apply for your government benefits. Find out how to protect your SSN from theft, and what to do if it is stolen.
Can Someone Use Your SSN Without You Knowing? Yes, scammers might steal your SSN using phishing. They might also buy stolen data off the dark web or scrape it from a data breach. Some people do not realize right away that their SSN was compromised, which makes it a leverage for criminals who do the damage.
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).
Open bank accounts and credit cards in your name
Scammers can use your SSN and information to open bank accounts or apply for credit cards without your knowledge. These accounts can be used to take out loans or rack up massive debts—all under your name.