The Dangers of Social Security Number Identity Theft
If you've been keeping up
with the news, you realize that identity theft is one of the fastest rising crimes
in the United States. If you are not
careful, a dishonest individual who has access to your Social Security number
can use it with malicious intent to learn more of your personal information. These people can also use the number to apply
for credit in your name. After being
issued dozens of credit cards, they will quickly charge them up, leaving you
with the bills and a horrible grade of credit.
The most troubling part of it all - you probably will not be aware that
someone is using your Social Security number until being denied for credit or
receiving numerous calls from unknown creditors and agencies requesting payment
for purchases you never made.
How Social Security
Numbers Aid in Identity Theft
Identity thieves will
utilize various strategies to victimize you.
Here are a just a few of the many ways they can steal your Social
Security number and other important information:
• stealing a wallet, purse, or
intercepting mail
• stealing information you entered on
an unsecured internet website
• dumpster diving through your trash in pursuit of personal information
• parading as a legitimate service over
the phone or email to pry information out of you
• purchasing lists on the black market
provided by inside sources
Someone
Using Your Number?
In some
cases, a single Social Security number is assigned to more than one
person. This is either done by accident
or with malicious intent. If you feel
that someone is fraudulently using your number for any purpose, you should
immediately contact your local Social Security Administration office and report
the issue.
If an
identity thieve has stolen your Social Security number and created major credit
problems, the administration will not be able to resolve the matter. At that point, you should refer to the
Federal Trade Commission for help.
In a worse
case scenario, you may be forced to apply for a new Social Security card and
number. This requires that you supply
evidence of being negatively effected by the current number. You should also keep in mind that a different
number may create many new issues. It is
very likely that agencies such as the IRS and credit report bureaus will still
reference the other number, a factor that can result in major conflict. The absence of credit history relating to the
new number can also make it rather difficult to attain credit.
Just as the
Social Security Administration is responsible for keeping your number and
records confidential, you should do the same.
The administration is prohibited from giving your number to anyone who
does not have lawful access. When
conducting activity that calls for submitting your Social Security number, you
should always ask why the number is needed, how it would be used, and what are
the repercussions if you refuse. These
answers should help you determine the legitimacy of the activity and if you
should actually give out the number.
