Think about how often you’re asked to provide your Social Security number. Healthcare providers, potential employers, creditors, banks, insurance companies, and, of course, the IRS –businesses and agencies from all over routinely want this information. They do so because those nine digits are yours alone and thus provide a powerful form of identification.
With so many requests, it’s no wonder that most Americans know their Social Security number by heart. But giving it out to so many people with such frequency puts you at risk of joining the more than 17 million Americans who were victims of identity theft in 2014 alone. How do you protect yourself?
Be smart
Treat your Social Security number as what it is: precious information. Think of yourself as a spy agency, and your Social as a valuable piece of intel. If a scam artist gets ahold of your number, they are well on their way to stealing your identity.
There are lots of phishing scams in which you receive a very official-looking email supposedly from your bank. That bogus mail will ask you to enter your SS number in order to access your bank account. Some identity thieves will even ask you to provide the number over the phone. Don’t fall for it.
Never give your Social Security number to anyone unless you are certain of who they are, and that they have a legitimate need for your number. And even then, don’t give it out unless you can enter it into a form yourself. Additionally, shred any documents you discard that list your number. Do not carry your Social Security card or number with you.
Use a strong password on all of your accounts and devices, so that your Social Security number and other personally identifiable information (PII) cannot be easily hacked. Two-step verification, which requires the entry of your password followed by a one-time code sent to your mobile phone, offers even more protection.
Who can require your number?
Some entities really do need access to your Social Security number. Banks, for instance, need it to open an account. You must provide it to your state’s department of revenue and the IRS when filing tax documents or payments. Employers need it to make sure that your tax withholdings get credited to the correct account, while government agencies require it to provide benefits, including unemployment, Medicaid, Medicare, and, of course, Social Security. And thanks to the USA PATRIOT Act, your state’s department of motor vehicles also has a legitimate need to know your number.
Beyond those entities discussed above – which can legally require your Social Security number – there are a host of other people, businesses, and agencies who regularly ask for it. For example, schools, insurers, and utility companies frequently request your number. Potential employers and landlords may ask for it so that they can perform background checks; similarly, creditors want it so they can check your credit rating.
Dealing with an identity theft issue? Get help from a local, experienced attorney
The thing to remember is that anyone can ask you for your Social Security number, but it is up to you to choose to give it. If you refuse, you may be denied something you are seeking, such as a job or an apartment, but you can’t be forced to divulge your number. Healthcare providers routinely ask for it, but you are not required by law to provide it to them.
How to avoid giving your number out
Being knowledgeable about when you can be required to provide your Social Security number is important. If someone asks for it but has no legal right to it, you can point out that they can’t require it. If you are considering complying, ask why the number is being requested. You can point out that it is possible to perform a background check without the number. Find out about what requestor’s privacy policy, asking how your number will be used and with whom it will be shared. Also ask how it will be stored and protected from hackers. When filling out forms, the easiest way to deal with a non-mandatory request for your Social Security number is to leave that part of the document blank. The absence of the number generally will go unchallenged.
Stay informed
Even if you’re diligent about safeguarding your Social Security number, you should check your financial accounts regularly and sign up for alerts that inform you of changes or withdrawals. You should also check your credit report at least once a year, verifying that all the accounts it lists are ones you opened. Use AnnualCreditReport.com, which is authorized by the federal government to provide you with a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies; by requesting a report from just one agency at time, you can check your credit report at no cost three times a year.
In addition, you should consider setting up a security freeze on your credit report. The freeze will prevent new accounts from being opened in your name unless your identity is proven.
Pay for protection
If you’re still worried that your Social Security number might be stolen, you can sign up for a monitoring program, which will alert you immediately if any suspicious activity is detected on your credit report. A number of companies offer such services and the prices vary considerably, so do your homework.
1 comment
Ed
Brette,
Have you requested your "free annual credit report" 3 times a year from all 3 agencies? Equifax has been the worst about coming up with trick questions - some with false answers - to prove you are really you. Also, the jumbled letter/number combination prior to submitting your questionare is so ambiguous that a small letter l can be misinterpreted as a number 1 or visa versa. O's as 0's and so on so as to deny your report online. To receive your report by mail requires credentials/documents that can be easily disputed and wear a person out trying to please the agency. It seems that the other two agencies are beginning to follow suit being that Equifax has been getting away with defying the law for so long.
What makes matters worse is that they sell subscriptions for Identity Theft Protection while mailing "all but the last 4 digits" for all credit card accounts listed in one's credit report. When one gets their credit card billing, "only the last 4 digits are visable. One would think they would all use the same format if they are truly sincere about preventing fraudulent use of digital currency.
And who came up with the idea of using one's SS# for their military service number a few years back - that was really brilliant, NOT.
I have vented these concerns to various agencies in time past but to no avail as far as I know. Your comment section gave me another opportunity being that you seem to cover these complaints.
Thank you for hearing me out.