Social Security

The Social Security Administration protects your Social Security number and keeps your records confidential. We do not give your number to anyone, except when authorized by law. You should be careful about sharing your number, even when you are asked for it. You should ask why your number is needed, how it will be used and what will happen if you refuse. The answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to give out your Social Security number.

Identity thieves get your personal information by:

• Stealing wallets, purses and your mail (bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks and tax information);
• Stealing personal information you provide to an unsecured site on the Internet, from business or personnel records at work and personal information in your home;
• Rummaging through your trash, the trash of businesses and public trash dumps for personal data;
• Posing by phone or E-mail as someone who legitimately needs information about you, such as employers or landlords; or
• Buying personal information from "inside sources." For example, an identity thief may pay a store employee for information about you that appears on an application for goods, services or credit.

When you start a job, make sure your employer has your correct Social Security number so your records are correct. Provide your Social Security number to your financial institution(s) for tax reporting purposes. Keep your card and any other document that shows your Social Security number in a safe place. DO NOT routinely carry your card or other documents that display your number.

Sometimes more than one person uses the same Social Security number, either on purpose or by accident. If you suspect someone is using your number for work purposes, you should contact us to report the problem. We will review your earnings with you to ensure our records are correct.

You also may review earnings posted to your record on your Social Security Statement. The Statement is available online to workers age 18 and older. To get your Statement, go to Get Your Social Security Statement Online and create an account.

If someone has misused your Social Security number or other personal information to create credit or other problems for you, Social Security cannot resolve these problems. But there are several things you should do.

You should go to www.idtheft.gov and report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Or, you can call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY 1-866-653-4261. That website is a one-stop national resource to learn about the crime of identity theft. It provides detailed information to help you deter, detect and defend against identity theft.

You also may want to contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An identity thief also might use your Social Security number to file a tax return to receive your refund. If you are eligible for a refund, a thief could file a tax return before you do and get your refund. Then, when you do file, the IRS will think you already received your refund . If your Social Security number is stolen, another individual may use it to get a job. That person’s employer would report income earned to the IRS using your Social Security number. This will make it appear that you did not report all of your income on your tax return. If you think you may have tax issues because someone has stolen your identity, go to www.irs.gov/uac/Identity-Protection or call 1-800-908-4490.

Also, you should file an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.

The IC3 gives victims of cybercrime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations. IC3 sends every complaint to one or more law enforcement or regulatory agencies with jurisdiction .

IC3’s mission is to receive, develop and refer criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding arena of cybercrime. The IC3 serves the broader law enforcement community that combats Internet crime. This includes federal, state, local, and international agencies .

The IC3 reflects a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National White Collar Crime Center and the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

You also should monitor your credit report periodically. You can get free credit reports online at AnnualCreditReport.com.

If you have done all you can to fix the problems resulting from misuse of your Social Security number and someone still is using your number, we may assign you a new number.
You cannot get a new Social Security number:

• To avoid the consequences of filing for bankruptcy;
• If you intend to avoid the law or your legal responsibility; or
• If your Social Security card is lost or stolen, but there is no evidence that someone is using your number.

If you decide to apply for a new number, you will need to prove your age, U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status and identity. For more information, ask for Your Social Security Number And Card (Publication Number 05-10002). You also will need to provide evidence you are having ongoing problems because of the misuse.

Keep in mind that a new number probably will not solve all your problems. This is because other governmental agencies (such as the IRS and state motor vehicle agencies) and private businesses (such as banks and credit reporting companies) will have records under your old number. Along with other personal information, credit reporting companies use the number to identify your credit record. So using a new number will not guarantee you a fresh start. This is especially true if your other personal information, such as your name and address, remains the same.

If you receive a new Social Security number, you will not be able use the old number anymore.

For some victims of identity theft, a new number actually creates new problems. If the old credit information is not associated with your new number, the absence of any credit history under your new number may make it more difficult for you to get credit.

Our website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs. There are a number of things you can do online.

In addition to using our website, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. We treat all calls confidentially. We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call during the week after Tuesday. We can provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use our automated response system to tell us a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.

We also want to make sure you receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some telephone calls.