SSN Identity Theft: Risks of Lost/Stolen SSN

Some cybercriminals focus on credit card numbers and bank accounts to make a quick getaway with cash or items. However, your Social Security Number (SSN) is an even more valuable asset for thieves who want to commit long-term fraud.

Your SSN is your access code for new lines of credit, government benefits, ID cards, and much more. The list of things someone can do with your SSN is longer than ever in the Internet age, so it’s critical to take steps to protect yourself. Start by informing yourself of the ways a criminal can abuse your SSN to steal from you and others.

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What Can Someone Do With a Lost/Stolen Social Security Number?

1. Open New Credit Cards and Bank Accounts

Instead of trying to use one of your existing accounts, an identity thief can try to use your SSN to open a new one. Usually, banks and credit unions have safeguards to prevent fraudulent new accounts, but savvy criminals can use fake IDs or utility bills to establish their fake identities. Plus, some online application systems make fraud easier than before.

Credit cards are a huge problem because their credit limits and interest rates can be so high. Banks are eager to get new customers, and their credit approval is generous. Their identity verification systems aren’t as rigorous as they should be.

Once new accounts are opened, the thief could continue to use them for a long time before they are noticed. This makes it even more important for everyone, regardless of income or occupation, to monitor their credit on an ongoing basis.

✎ Read Also: How to Prevent Driver’s License Identity Theft ➔

2. Government Benefits Theft

Asking “How can social security identity theft occur” usually results in multiple answers, some of which involve complex criminal operations. One of the ways it occurs is if you haven’t applied for government benefits in your state before and the thief manages to get their foot in the door first.

With your SSN in hand, a thief could apply for unemployment, food stamps, health insurance, and more without you ever noticing. In a worst-case scenario, you could even find out about the fraud after you need to apply for those benefits yourself and get denied due to overuse. Clearing your name in these cases may require appealing to whatever state agency handles those benefits.

Some states have taken steps to verify applicants’ information or require multiple steps in the authentication process that make fraud more difficult. However, it’s still easy for fraudsters to impersonate you if the application process is mostly or entirely online.

Losing your SSN could really bring so much inconvenience to your part, plus the part where you’ll have to replace the lost social security card.

3. Apply for Loans

Payday loans usually require both your SSN and proof of employment or income. In many cases, identity thieves can fabricate an ID or proof of employment to access payday loans. Although these loans are usually only for a few hundred dollars, it’s possible for a thief to take out loans from multiple lenders in a short period.

Because of how lengthy the mortgage application process is, it’s uncommon for identity thieves to try to acquire home loans. However, car loan fraud is common because the process moves faster and because cars are mobile. A fraudster could then take the car out of state and sell it to an unsuspecting private buyer for cash.

When asking “How can social security identity theft occur?” keep in mind that these application processes are also a common way for people to become victims. Any applications and other paperwork containing your SSN need to have personal information covered or shredded; otherwise, a thief could turn around and use them on an application in the future.

4. Claim Tax Refunds

A common form of fraud around tax season is for someone to apply to receive your tax refund. This is easier than it seems because the thief can lie about wages or other income. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) usually won’t check for the discrepancy until months after the refund check is issued.

The fraud is usually uncovered when the victim goes to file their taxes and is informed that someone already claimed the refund. In some cases, the fraud could even affect other family members’ ability to file for their taxes. Although the IRS is getting better at detecting and resolving fraud cases, it can still be a huge headache to resolve.

✎ Related: How to Prevent Tax Identity Theft ➔

5. Criminal Identity Theft

Although all identity theft is criminal, the term “criminal identity theft” usually refers to the act of stealing someone’s identity for the specific purpose of committing a crime. This is usually done with the understanding that whatever the criminal does could result in arrest, and having a false identity will make it easier to flee after posting bail.

Acquiring a fake driver’s license is usually part of this process, especially if the thief is in a different state from you and won’t raise any red flags in that state’s system. However, it’s possible for a thief to pass as you if they have an old copy of your driver’s license or even just give your name, date of birth, and SSN during the booking process. This makes it even harder to detect the problem before a warrant goes out for your arrest.

If a criminal successfully uses your identity after being arrested for a crime, clearing your name can be a lengthy and difficult process. In some cases, you may need to go to court and provide a solid alibi for the charges against you to be dismissed. However, sometimes police departments work with you to meet with the police who made the arrest, verifying that the person they arrested wasn’t actually you.

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What to Do in Case of a Data Breach?

In case of a data breach, it’s essential to act quickly. You should change your passwords and protect your bank account as soon as possible. These are the basic steps you should follow.

Contact the Company. Contact the company whose data was breached to understand the extent of the damage. Find out what type of information was stolen, and ask them what they are going to do and what they suggest you do.
Change Your Passwords. If a hacker takes hold of your account, you could experience a lot more damage. Make the new passwords difficult, and use different passwords for all your accounts.
Call the Credit Bureaus. Call a credit bureau and ask the staff to place a fraud alert on your credit report. When a lender or retailer sees your credit report, they’ll see the alert and verify that it’s you.
Call Banks and Credit Card Companies. Lock bank accounts and credit cards to prevent any transactions. If any fraudulent charges have already occurred, notify banks and credit card companies as soon as possible to avoid being liable for them.
File the Necessary Reports. You should file a police report and a Federal Trade Commission report if you are a victim of identity theft. However, try to wait until you have all the required information before filing.

Cover All Bases and Take Action Immediately

Losing your wallet can be a stressful experience, and you don’t want to make it worse by reporting it missing too late, leading to devastating financial consequences.

By being aware of what to do when you lose your wallet, you’ll be able to take action immediately and prevent the worst from happening. By employing each of these steps, you’ll not only put yourself in a better position financially but mentally, too – you’ll know you’ve done everything you can to avoid the situation getting worse, providing you with peace of mind in the knowledge you’ve dealt with the situation correctly.

Dealing With SSN Identity Theft

The Social Security Administration (SSA) strongly encourages people to resolve identity theft issues through other avenues before pushing for a change to their SSN. However, in extreme cases, they will issue a new number to someone dealing with persistent hardships or harassment due to their number being exposed.

For most people, locking your credit at the three major bureaus and working with your banks to secure your accounts is the best way to deal with SSN identity theft. Identity theft monitoring services can provide ongoing protection by continuously monitoring the dark web, a major hub for hackers and cybercriminals dealing with personal information. By investing in basic identity theft monitoring, you can be proactive and keep past problems from recurring.