What happens when you lock your Social Security number?

Locking your Social Security number prevents anyone — including you — from changing or accessing your Social Security record. If your Social Security number is compromised and you're already the victim of identity theft, act quickly to safeguard your personal information.

What happens when you freeze your Social Security number?

Once requested, any automated telephone and electronic access to your Social Security record is blocked. No one, including you, will be able to see or change your personal information on the internet or through our automated telephone service.

Can I put a lock on my Social Security number?

Self Lock helps protect you from employment-related identity fraud. Self Lock is the unique feature that lets you protect your identity in E-Verify and Self Check by placing a "lock" in E-Verify on your Social Security number (SSN). This helps prevent anyone else from using your SSN for an E-Verify case.

How much does it cost to freeze your Social Security number?

There is NO COST to place or lift a security freeze. For more information, see detailed instructions entitled “Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit Report to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft” below.

How do I check to see if someone is using my Social Security number?

Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-908-4490 or visit them online, if you believe someone is using your SSN to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes.

How To Protect Your Social Security Number | Protect Your SSN - Latest Video

What if my SSN is on the dark web?

FREEZE YOUR CREDIT

When your Social Security number is available on the dark web, it gives cybercriminals the ability to open credit accounts in your name. In other words, someone other than you can take out personal loans, apply for credit cards, or open other financial accounts under your name.

What to do if my identity is stolen?

How can I protect my SSN from Identity Theft?

How do I stop someone from filing my taxes in my name?

Can I unfreeze my SSN?

If you wish to either temporarily or permanently lift your freeze, you can do so online at Experian's Freeze Center by creating an account or logging in to your Experian account.

How do I freeze my Social Security number with the credit bureau?

Does Social Security freeze your bank account?

Direct deposit all government assistance funds

If you have government benefits, such as social security, that are deposited directly into your account, that money cannot be frozen. Additionally, any money from your benefits deposited within two months prior to the garnishment cannot be frozen either.

How long does a credit freeze last?

Duration: A credit freeze lasts until you remove it. How to place: Contact each of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Should I freeze my credit if someone has my Social Security number?

If your Social Security number has been stolen, report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission and the police, freeze your credit report and contact companies you suspect have your SSN due to fraud.

How can I find out if someone opened an account in my name?

The best way to find out if someone has opened an account in your name is to pull your own credit reports to check. Note that you'll need to pull your credit reports from all three bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — to check for fraud since each report may have different information and reporting.

How do I stop someone from illegally claiming my child on taxes?

If your child is a victim if Identity Theft, you can report that to the IRS and they will mail you a special PIN that is required to file your tax return. Someone that does not have that PIN can not claim your child as a dependent on an e-filed return.

How can I find out if someone is using my identity?

What are three warning signs of identity theft?

Can someone steal my identity with just my Social Security number?

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. A dishonest person who has your Social Security number can use it to get other personal information about you. Identity thieves can use your number and your good credit to apply for more credit in your name.

What are the 3 types of identity theft?

The three most common types of identity theft are financial, medical and online.

Can I recover from identity theft?

If you're facing identity theft, know that it is possible to overcome the issue — but it may take some time. Just ask one of our identity specialists, like Vera Tolmachoff, Restoration Manager at Allstate Identity Protection. "It can take days, months, or even years to untangle identity theft," says Tolmachoff.

Do you get your money back if your identity is stolen?

If someone has used your card in a store or online, you're covered under the Payment Services Regulations. The regulations state you must be refunded immediately if you've had money taken from your account without your permission.

Does the FBI know my Social Security number?

The FBI has been taking Social Security Numbers identified through past or ongoing terrorist investigations and providing them to the Social Security Administration for verification.

Does your SSN reveal your age?

The Serial Number, itself, doesn't say anything about your location or age that the Group Number and Area Number don't already say, although since they are assigned consecutively, they could potentially reveal your relative age within a Group and an Area.