What if someone is using my ssn

Donate Volunteer. To get your online Statement, go to my Social Security. What should I do if I think someone is using my Social Security number? To contact the FTC: Go to www. Make a single request for all three: Go online to www. The sooner you catch fraudulent activity, the easier it can be to reverse. However, if you find that someone is using your SSN, it's possible to remove the activity from your credit file. Filing reports with the proper authorities can help reverse the impact of someone stealing your personal information.

Diligence with your credit is a round-the-clock effort. Tally 1 makes it easier for you to keep track of your credit card accounts and manage your monthly payments with a low-interest line of credit.

The APR which is the same as your interest rate will be between 7. If your Social Security number falls into the wrong hands, your sensitive personal information is vulnerable. With your Social Security number, identity thieves can: Open credit cards in your name and ignore the bills, damaging your credit score Drain funds from your bank account Open new accounts Apply for loans and new credit lines File your tax return and receive a refund Receive medical care, impacting your future health insurance rates and eligibility, or drain your Medicare funds Open utility service agreements in your name Commit a crime, ranging from a speeding ticket to something more violent Submit a retirement application with the Social Security Administration SSA The more information the identity thief has, the easier it is for them to commit the above crimes.

How do I see if someone is using my Social Security number? What can I do if someone steals my SSN? Below are the steps to take to remove fraudulent activity from your credit information: 1. Contacting the company directly If you can tell from your credit report which lender or company was used to open the account, you'll want to contact them directly.

Contacting your local police As mentioned, criminals can commit crimes using your information. Placing a fraud alert and credit freeze A fraud alert indicates to the credit bureaus that your information has been stolen and that they should be aware of the likelihood of unusual activity in your name.

Are there any preventative measures I can take to reduce the likelihood of identity theft? Even if you are not yet the victim of identity theft, there are some things that you can do ahead of time to reduce the likelihood of it occurring in the future: Freezing your credit As mentioned, a credit freeze prevents everyone yourself included from opening a new account.

Signing up for credit monitoring Your credit card company or one of the credit bureaus may offer free credit monitoring, especially if you have previously been the victim of identity theft or a data breach. Review your Social Security earnings record Review the earnings posted to your record on your Social Security Statement.

To get your online Statement , log into your personal my Social Security account and check your account. If you see any inconsistencies, contact the Social Security Administration. We consider identity theft one of our major challenges so we have joined in government-wide efforts to prevent Social Security number misuse.

This is one of the many reasons why people should never carry their Social Security cards in their wallets or purses. From the time of issuance when we're children, Social Security cards should be stored in a safe location at home, away from credit cards, drivers' licenses, and other personal information.

If you suspect that a criminal has your Social Security number , the Social Security Administration can help point you in the right direction, but it can't fix your credit. You're the only one who can do that. To that end, here are some things to do if someone is using your Social Security number to commit identity theft and Social Security fraud:. Stay cool and focused. While identity theft is stressful, you're the only person who can help with this problem, and you can't solve it in a week or a month.

It will take time. Stay as calm and focused as possible, and methodically address the problem. Contact the credit reporting agencies.