Protect Your Financial and personal security by Putting your ssn in Lockdown
Your Social Security Number is tied to your financial and personal security more than you may think. Keep it out of the wrong hands by taking a few (not too annoying) security precautions.
Many people don’t know that their Social Security Numbers can be stolen; when this happens, the consequences can be dire.
Once your Social Security Number is in the wrong hands, someone can do the following under your name: open a bank account; rent an apartment; steal your tax refund; file false medical insurance claims; and apply for government benefits including unemployment or Social Security.
Someone can, believe it or not, apply for and obtain a job under your name using your Social Security Number. Thieves can also use it to search for and access personal information about you. Think of all the accounts you hold that require you to provide your Social Security Number as an identifier.
Freezing Credit Can Help Prevent Theft
The most common recommendation consumers receive to thwart data theft is to place a freeze on credit reports with the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.
This prevents someone from opening a credit account in your name and makes it more difficult to steal your identity.
You’ll have to unfreeze it – temporarily – whenever you’re applying for credit or when a vendor or landlord needs to run a credit check on you.
Don’t Forgot the Kids!
While you’re at it, you should freeze your kids’ credit if they’re under 16. When 16, they can legally manage any freezes themselves. No doubt the 16-year-old in your life will jump at that chance.
BUT, There’s More: Lock Your Social Security Account
There’s another option many people aren’t aware of: you can block access to your Social Security Number electronically so someone else can’t work under it or claim your benefits. First you’ll need to set up an E-verify account, then enable the self-lock feature.
Although it’s called E-verify, this is a government website: expect confusion. Your email details will come from USCIS — or the U.S. Customs & Immigration Services.
It’s not a one-and-done solution. You’ll need to unlock your E-verify account if you start a new job.
Setting up this security protocol is annoying, but as bureaucratic headaches go, it’s not that bad compared to having your Social Security Number hijacked.
Since You’re Already on a Virtuous Streak…
If we haven’t already lost you, consider reviewing your Social Security benefits history online with the Social Security Administration. You’ll get an estimate of what your future Social Security payout looks like AND ensure nobody else has already set up an account in your name to claim your hard-earned money. Telltale signs of this include references to jobs you never worked or an address (or other contact information) that’s not yours.
A Few Pointers:
Keep organized by tracking the steps you take. Seriously! Write the process down — consider using a notebook — and keep it in a safe, secure place. We can tell you from personal experience: it’s easy to conflate steps or forget what you’ve already done.
Consider using a reputable password manager. It’ll prevent you from reusing passwords and ensure that your passwords are sufficiently complex.
As with anything sensitive online, use two-factor authentication to further protect your information from getting hacked. The best solutions are physical security keys or authenticator apps but using your phone number is better than nothing.
Different government agencies have different security requirements. You’ll need an account with either Login.gov or ID.me to create a new Social Security Administration account.
If the thrill of securing your identity with the Social Security Administration left you hungry for more, you can also secure your information with the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS. The only login credential the IRS accepts is ID.me.