How to Protect Your Social Security Number

Edited: 14 March 2021

Very few things in life can create a higher degree of stress than having your Social Security number (SSN) stolen. This is because your SSN is virtually permanent. While most instances of SSN theft are outside your control, there are some things that you can do to minimize the risk of this ever happening to you.

Never Carry Your Card

Place your SSN card in a safe place. That place is never your wallet or purse. Only take the card with you when you need it.

Know Who Needs It

As identity theft continues to evolve, there are fewer who really need to know your SSN. Here is that list:

The Government
The federal and state governments use this number to keep track of your earnings for retirement benefits and to ensure you pay proper taxes.

Your Employer
The SSN is used to keep track of your wages and withholdings. It also is used to prove citizenship and to contribute to your Social Security and Medicare accounts.

Certain Financial Institutions
Your SSN is used by various financial institutions to prove citizenship, open bank accounts, provide loans, establish other forms of credit, report your credit history or confirm your identity. In no case should you be required to confirm more than the last four digits of your number.

Challenge All Other Requests

Many other vendors may ask for your SSN but having it may not be essential. The most common requests come from health care providers and insurance companies. When asked on a form for your number, leave it blank.

Destroy and Distort Documents

Shred any documents that have your number listed. When providing copies of your tax return to anyone, distort or cover your SSN. Remember, your number is printed on the top of each page of Form 1040. If the government requests your SSN on a check payment, only place the last four digits on the check, and replace the first five digits with Xs.

Keep Your Scammer Alert on High

Never give out any part of the number over the phone or via email. Don't even confirm your SSN to someone who happens to read it back to you on the phone. If this happens to you, file a police report and report the theft to the IRS and Federal Trade Commission.

Proactively Check for Use

Periodically check your credit reports for potential use of your SSN. If suspicious activity is found, have the credit agencies place a fraud alert on your account. Remember, everyone is entitled to a free credit report once a year. You can obtain yours on www.annualcreditreport.com

Replacing a stolen SSN is not only hard to do, but it can also create many problems. Your best defence is to stop the theft before it happens.