Here’s what to do if your Social Security number has been hacked
Hackers claim to have stolen millions of SSN numbers. Here’s what you can do if yours was hacked.
The Los Angeles Times is reporting that months after a data group claimed to have stolen an “extraordinary amount of sensitive personal information from a major data broker” some of those records have been published online. Included in the hacked files are reportedly nearly all Social Security Numbers for US citizens and permanent residents.
Whether it’s through a data breach or other sinister means, having one’s Social Security number (SSN) stolen can have devastating consequences on a person’s life. For that reason, it is critical that one’s Social Security card, where the number is written, be kept in a safe place and that individuals only provide it to organizations when they know that the information will be protected. Never provide your Social Security number over e-mail or text, and if asked for it over the phone, be weary because such requests should only be made by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, at times, banks where you are an account holder.
The SSA warns that even when individuals take all precautions necessary to protect their SSN from scammers through large-scale hacks, but when major financial corporations cannot keep our data safe, very little can be done. However, when it comes to protecting the areas you have greater control over, avoid providing your SSN on insecure websites and ensure it is hidden away at home. Additionally, you can speak with your employer as to the protections in place to protect the data from being obtained by bad actors.
What do you do if your SSN is stolen?
First things first. Get in contact with the SSA.
If you believe someone else is using your SSN intentionally or by mistake, the SSA advises you to “review earnings posted to your record on your Social Security Statement.” If you do not have a SSA account, you can open one if you are eighteen or older. Once you create your account and log in, you can press “Statement.” Suppose you notice irregularities in your statements or are having trouble with the online portal. In that case, you should call the SSA “to report the problem,” and an agent can help you by “review[ing] your earnings with you to ensure our records are correct.”
If you suspect someone is using your number for work purposes, you should contact us to report the problem. We’ll review your earnings with you to ensure our records are correct.
Identity Theft... what are my options?
Identity theft is a much more complicated situation than a person stealing or misusing one’s SSN for employment purposes. The SSA cannot do much for someone when their identity is stolen, including their SSN and bank account information.
The first step when one’s identity has been stolen is to visit IdentityTheft.gov. This government website allows users “to report identity theft and get a recovery plan.” This service is offered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an agency set up to protect the country’s consumers. You can also get in touch with the FTC over the phone at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338) and TTY 1-866-653-4261.
To avoid a thief using your SSN to file a tax return and claim a possible refund that you would be entitled to, it is critical that you contact the Internal Revenue Service to report that your SSN has been stolen. If another worker uses the SSN and they file a tax return using your number, when you go to file, it can appear like you have an income of $0. For support related to the IRS and identity theft, visit this webpage.
The last thing that can be done is to make a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which “gives victims of cybercrime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations.”
Requesting a new Social Security number...
After working with the FTC and exhausting options to regain control over your SSN, there is still the possibility of the SSA issuing you a new number. However, this is a last resort. However, if there is no proof that someone is using your SSN, a new one will not be distributed, additionally, a new SSN cannot be solicited “to avoid the consequences of filing for bankruptcy.”