Protect your SSN from the Dark Web

Your social security number is one of the most sensitive personal information you possess. Too bad yours (and mine and everyone else’s) was probably leaked and sold on the dark web.

Before you panic, there are a few steps you can take now to protect yourself and your identity.

I’m giving away an iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence.

No purchase necessary; come in now!

Is it really that big of a problem?

It certainly is. Your citizen service number is the key to the castle. It is the unique identifier that connects your financial, government and personal information.

With your Social Security number, criminals can open credit card accounts, apply for loans, hijack your tax refunds, take advantage of your government benefits, or even apply for a job.

There is an easy step you can take

To secure your citizen service number, you can use the government’s toll-free number Self-locking function. This tool prevents your Social Security number from being used for unauthorized employment verifications. You have one E-Verify account to do this online.

You can also request a freeze by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. Expect to be on hold for a long time.

Stay proactive

The Social Security Administration also provides online access to your income and benefit history through it my social security account. It’s free to use and you can get an account even if you don’t receive any benefits.

I recommend checking this once a year to make sure nothing is wrong. Review reported income and confirm everything matches your actual work and benefit history.

Please note that if you created a Social Security username more than 3 years ago, you will need to create a Login.gov account or use an ID.me account.

The red flags

How do you know if your BSN is in the hands of someone else? Let me count the ways…

Unexpected bills or bills:

Receiving bills or statements from accounts you never opened is one of the most obvious signs that someone is using your Social Security number
Thieves can use your Social Security number to open credit card accounts
Take out loans or even set up utilities in your name

If this happens, contact the company immediately and report the fraudulent activity. At this point, a credit freeze is also a must.

Tax forms that are not yours:

If you receive tax forms like W-2s or 1099s in the mail from employers you’ve never worked with, it could mean someone used your Social Security number to get a job. In this type of employment fraud, someone who might not otherwise pass employment checks uses your identity instead. It’s a mess and it could leave you on the hook for their tax obligations.

Contact the tax authorities immediately if you receive foreign tax forms.

Tax return goes wrong: You submit your tax return and then receive a notification that someone else has already submitted your BSN. This is a simple and surprisingly effective way for criminals to get back the money owed to you. If you receive a letter from the IRS about a duplicate filing, act quickly. Go to Identitytheft.gov to submit a report. You may need to complete IRS Form 14039, the Identity Theft Declaration, to officially report the incident.

Pro tip: Protect your tax accounts before this ever happens. The IRS offers a special Identity Protection PIN program. You’ll be given a six-digit number that you can use to file your taxes, effectively locking your account from outsiders.

Tips for your credit report: I bet you’re seeing a theme here. Everything you know wasn’t you is the biggest sign. This could include new accounts, lines of credit that you have not taken out, or other unexplained changes to your credit.

You can get a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year AnnualCreditReport.com. Pro tip: Space out the reports every few months to make it easier to keep track of them throughout the year.

Refusal of benefits by the government: If you are not receiving benefits such as disability, Medicare, unemployment, or other government assistance, someone may already be using your Social Security number to fraudulently claim them.

If it happens to you, contact the agency and explain the situation. They will guide you through the next steps to restore your benefits.

Do you suspect that your BSN has been stolen?

Move quickly. Start with the Federal Trade Commission at Identitytheft.gov. Fill in the form there and you will receive one whole plan for how to restore your identity and protect yourself in the future.
The IRS also has a place where you can report if you suspect someone is using your Social Security number: Identity theft takes center stage.
Also contact your bank, credit card provider and insurance company. Some offer free fraud and identity theft protection services that can help you keep everything locked down.

Become tech-smarter on your schedule

Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating technology.

Follow @kimkomando