How Do You Know if Someone Stole Your Ssn

Having your Social Security number or menu stolen isn't quite like getting your bank account information taken — though granted, both are stressful experiences. The major difference is that you can get a new bank business relationship number, while the Social Security Administration very rarely issues new Social Security numbers.

Why you need a Social Security number

If yous're unsure what an SSN is, the Social Security Assistants loosely defines it as a 9-digit number for identity-tracking purposes. Whenever you start a new task or employ for regime benefits, you need your Social Security number: it will be used to verify your identity and record earnings. Y'all tin locate your Social Security number on your Social Security card — if you can't find your card, make certain you lot achieve out to the Social Security Administration directly.

How Social Security number theft occurs

How someone finds out and steals your identity (or Social Security number) can happen in a variety of ways. They could gain your Social Security number by exploiting data breaches, sifting through the trash for personal documents, or using whatever number of other approaches. The thieves tin can then sell your identity to the highest applicant on the dark web.

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What happens when someone's identity is stolen

In one case an identity thief has your Social Security number, they can commit all sorts of fiscal fraud with information technology, potentially leaving you on the hook for their misconduct.

Look at it this mode: Social Security numbers are wrapped up in most aspects of Americans' lives — employment, medical history, taxes, education, bank accounts, and so on. Below is a list of just a few things someone can do with your SSN if they get their hands on information technology.

1. Open financial accounts

Your Social Security number is the most important piece of personal information a banking concern needs when extending you credit or opening an account. With that number, a thief can get credit cards or loans, and when information technology comes time to repay them, they won't, damaging your credit in the process. Those missed payments are tied to your Social Security number, and then they'll finish up on your credit report and could bear upon your ability to use for any type of loan or new account in the future.

Once you spot suspicious transactions, you lot tin apply your credit scores and credit reports to discover fraud and put an end to information technology. Unfortunately, it could take years for the fraudulent information to be removed from your credit report and, equally a event, for your credit scores to recover.

2. Get medical intendance

Someone using your Social Security number could also undergo medical treatment, effectively tainting your medical records. Inaccurate medical records tin can have deadly consequences — for example, imagine what could happen if you received handling based on a false history listing the incorrect blood type. Additionally, it's possible for thieves to poach your health insurance coverage, which could get out y'all in a demark when you need it.

3. File a fraudulent tax refund

Taxpayer identity theft is a growing problem. Identity thieves employ stolen Social Security numbers to become a fraudulent refund, which then delays any refund the victim is rightfully owed. In 2016, the IRS identified $227 million lost in fraudulent tax returns, and this issue is jump to become even more problematic in the wake of massive information breaches like the 2017 Equifax hack.

So the sooner y'all file your taxes, the more than likely y'all'll get your refund before an identity thief has an opportunity to take reward of your stolen identity. Y'all'll know someone stole your identity if your render is rejected as a duplicate — and then yous become to start the process of resolving the fraud and, if necessary, getting the refund you lot deserve.

four. Commit crimes

Getting your Social Security number might just be a fraction of the thief's crimes. If the identity thief gets arrested for some other criminal offence and gives your Social Security number to law enforcement, you've get tangled in their criminal history. Their criminal tape could prevent you from getting jobs or interfere with anything else that requires a criminal background check.

5. Steal your benefits

A thief could also utilize your Social Security number to file for unemployment or Social Security benefits, depleting those resources and preventing you from accessing that assistance when you need it after.

How to find out if your Social Security number has been stolen

Thieves can operate under your identity for years without discovery, and some of these crimes are very difficult to detect. One of the all-time things you can do is regularly check a free credit study. Review your credit study thoroughly for unauthorized accounts or public records not related to you. These carmine flags could indicate clerical errors or identity theft. Either manner, you lot want to watch out for it and act as presently as you see something suspicious. Yous tin also cheque out these other ways you can find out if you're a victim of identity theft.

Christine DiGangi is the former Deputy Managing Editor - Engagement for Credit.com and covered a multifariousness of personal finance topics. Her writing has been featured on U.s. Today, MSN, Yahoo! Finance and The New York Times International Weekly, among other outlets. More than by Christine DiGangi

Credit.com is a USA TODAY content partner offering personal finance news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2017/11/15/5-ways-identity-thief-can-use-your-social-security-number/860643001/

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