When someone steals your social security number they can steal your life. Identity theft is the fastest-growing crime in the United States, affecting almost 10 million victims a year.
Identity theft is an easy crime to commit--but it is one of the hardest to prosecute. Only 1 identity thief in 700 gets caught and convicted on identity theft, or related charges.
Anyone intent on committing identity theft can buy Social Security numbers (SSN) and dates of birth from online information brokers-- for less than $50. Often they get this information for free by stealing mail, or rummaging through trash for discarded financial or medical statements. They can also obtain personal information the “old fashioned wayâ€: by stealing purses and wallets.
Identity Theft and Stolen Social Security Numbers
With your SSN, an identity thief can open a checking, charge, or utility account in your name; they can even work under your name, or commit crimes which will result in YOU having a police record.
An identity thief can get a driver’s license with your name and his picture on it. They can open new major credit card accounts, or spend like there’s no tomorrow on your existing account—because for the thief, there is no tomorrow. They’re not worried about consequences or the long-term effect of their actions on your life.
Most people only learn that they are an identity theft victim when they are denied credit, refused a loan or harassed by creditors. Typically, clearing up your credit record after identity theft takes over a year, and it costs between $800 and $1400 to remediate data stored with the credit bureaus.
Rather than engaging a service which only provides fraud alerts or credit monitoring—which wouldn’t alert you to possible identity theft resulting from a stolen social security number, for example, you should consider engaging a service which is more comprehensive. You should also consider a service that focuses on identity theft prevention. If you engage with a comprehensive service, you may have the opportunity to stop a thief before they have ruined your credit, committed a crime, or hijacked your social security check benefits.
Protection First: Simple Steps to Safeguard Your Social Security Number
Taking these simple steps can help to protect your SSN:
• Guard your social security card. Pull it out of your wallet and put it in a secure, locked firebox.
• Check your Social Security earnings record to see if anyone’s working under your SSN. This is how illegal aliens commit identity fraud,
and you may have many of them using your SSN.
• Give out your SSN as little as you can. Ask about privacy policies and alternative identifiers, Even potential employers don’t need to
know it until the interview and background check.
• If a company insists, ask them why they need it, what they will do with it, and how they will keep it safe.
• Don’t write your SSN on your checks, or on your resume.
• Opt out of putting it on your driver’s license or school ID.
• Ask your employer or health insurance provider to use an alternative number on your ID card.
• Don’t say your SSN out loud in a public place. Ask merchants and health care providers not to say it out loud.
