Social Security Number Identity Theft Protection
http://creditfederal.com/article/articles/694/1/Social-Security-Number-Identity-Theft-Protection
By CreditFederal.com - A good or bad credit personal loan, auto and mortgage financing, and credit card resource.
Published on 09/18/2009
Free tips for Social Security number identity theft protection for you - and for your spouse if you are married.
Free tips for Social Security number identity theft protection for you - and for your spouse if you are married
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. When a dishonest person has your Social Security number, the thief can use it to get other personal information about you. Most of the time identity thieves use your number and your good credit to apply for more credit in your name. Then, they use the credit cards and do not pay the bills. You do not find out that someone is using your number until you are turned down for credit, or you begin to get calls from unknown creditors demanding payment for items you never bought.
Someone illegally using your Social Security number and assuming your identity can cause a lot of problems. And; if you're married, spouse credit fraud can also affect you. So as you read this, remember that you must also worry about spouse identity theft.
Identity thieves get your personal information by:
* Stealing wallets, purses and your mail (bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, telephone calling cards and tax information);
* Stealing personal information you provide to an unsecured site on the Internet, from business or personnel records at work and personal information in your home;
* Sorting through trash for personal data;
* Posing as someone who legitimately needs information about you, such as employers or landlords; or
* Buying personal information from “inside” sources. For example, an identity thief may pay a store employee for information about you that appears on an application for goods, services or credit.
Free tips for Social Security number identity theft protection
Show your card to your employer when you start a job so your records are correct. Then, put it in a safe place. DO NOT carry your card with you.
How can I report that someone is using my Social Security number?
You should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by:
* Internet— www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft//
* Telephone— 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338)
* TTY—1-866-653-4261
If you think someone is using your number for work purposes, you should contact Social Security. One way to find out whether someone is using your number in order to work is to check your Social Security Statement. The Statement lists earnings posted to your Social Security record. If you find an error on your Statement, contact Social Security right away.
What if I think someone is using my number and creating credit problems for me?
If someone used your Social Security number to get credit, Social Security cannot fix your credit record. To fix your credit record:
* Call the creditors who approved the credit (follow up with a letter).
* File a police report.
* Contact the fraud department of the major credit bureaus. Ask:
o To have a flag placed on your record, requiring creditors to contact you before approving additional credit using your name and number;
o How long your account will be flagged and how you can extend the flag, if necessary; and
o To have a statement added to your credit report—include your name, explain the problem and provide a telephone number where someone can call you.
Request a copy of your credit report from each major credit bureau and check to see if it contains any entries you do not know about. If you are denied credit, you may be entitled to a free copy of your report.
The major credit reporting agencies are:
Equifax - equifax.com
Report fraud:
1-800-525-6285
Order a credit report:
1-800-685-1111
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian - experian.com
Report fraud:
1-888-397-3742
Order a credit report:
1-888-EXPERIAN
(1-888-397-3742)
P.O. Box 1017
Allen, TX 75013-0949
TransUnion - transunion.com
Report fraud:
1-800-680-7289
Order a credit report:
1-800-916-8800
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
Getting a new Social Security number
If you have done all you can to fix the problem and someone still is using your number, we may assign you a new number. We cannot guarantee that a new number will solve your problem.
You cannot get a new Social Security number if:
* You filed for bankruptcy;
* You intend to avoid the law or your legal responsibility; or
* Your Social Security card is lost or stolen, but there is no evidence that someone is using your number.
Contacting Social Security
In addition to the website www.socialsecurity.gov, you can call toll free 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. There's an automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use it to report a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call the TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. All calls are confidential.
Fraud ID Theft Credit Monitoring
Free Identity Theft Help
Experian Credit Report ID Theft Fraud Prevention
Personal Privacy Identity Theft Protection
Identity Theft ID Patrol
Self-Help Identity Theft Protection
Someone illegally using your Social Security number and assuming your identity can cause a lot of problems. And; if you're married, spouse credit fraud can also affect you. So as you read this, remember that you must also worry about spouse identity theft.
Identity thieves get your personal information by:
* Stealing wallets, purses and your mail (bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, telephone calling cards and tax information);
* Stealing personal information you provide to an unsecured site on the Internet, from business or personnel records at work and personal information in your home;
* Sorting through trash for personal data;
* Posing as someone who legitimately needs information about you, such as employers or landlords; or
* Buying personal information from “inside” sources. For example, an identity thief may pay a store employee for information about you that appears on an application for goods, services or credit.
Free tips for Social Security number identity theft protection
Show your card to your employer when you start a job so your records are correct. Then, put it in a safe place. DO NOT carry your card with you.
How can I report that someone is using my Social Security number?
You should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by:
* Internet— www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft//
* Telephone— 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338)
* TTY—1-866-653-4261
If you think someone is using your number for work purposes, you should contact Social Security. One way to find out whether someone is using your number in order to work is to check your Social Security Statement. The Statement lists earnings posted to your Social Security record. If you find an error on your Statement, contact Social Security right away.
What if I think someone is using my number and creating credit problems for me?
If someone used your Social Security number to get credit, Social Security cannot fix your credit record. To fix your credit record:
* Call the creditors who approved the credit (follow up with a letter).
* File a police report.
* Contact the fraud department of the major credit bureaus. Ask:
o To have a flag placed on your record, requiring creditors to contact you before approving additional credit using your name and number;
o How long your account will be flagged and how you can extend the flag, if necessary; and
o To have a statement added to your credit report—include your name, explain the problem and provide a telephone number where someone can call you.
Request a copy of your credit report from each major credit bureau and check to see if it contains any entries you do not know about. If you are denied credit, you may be entitled to a free copy of your report.
The major credit reporting agencies are:
Equifax - equifax.com
Report fraud:
1-800-525-6285
Order a credit report:
1-800-685-1111
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian - experian.com
Report fraud:
1-888-397-3742
Order a credit report:
1-888-EXPERIAN
(1-888-397-3742)
P.O. Box 1017
Allen, TX 75013-0949
TransUnion - transunion.com
Report fraud:
1-800-680-7289
Order a credit report:
1-800-916-8800
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
Getting a new Social Security number
If you have done all you can to fix the problem and someone still is using your number, we may assign you a new number. We cannot guarantee that a new number will solve your problem.
You cannot get a new Social Security number if:
* You filed for bankruptcy;
* You intend to avoid the law or your legal responsibility; or
* Your Social Security card is lost or stolen, but there is no evidence that someone is using your number.
Contacting Social Security
In addition to the website www.socialsecurity.gov, you can call toll free 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. There's an automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use it to report a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call the TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. All calls are confidential.
Fraud ID Theft Credit Monitoring
Free Identity Theft Help
Experian Credit Report ID Theft Fraud Prevention
Personal Privacy Identity Theft Protection
Identity Theft ID Patrol
Self-Help Identity Theft Protection