Identity Theft via Social Security Number

Identity Theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. It occurs when someone misuses another persons personal information such as their social security number to take on that person's identity.

Identity theft is much more than misuse of a Social Security number though it can also include credit card and mail fraud. Your social security number is your pin number to your identity. You should protect your social security number just like you do all your credit account pin numbers.

Your social security number is confidential, the social security administration does not share your info not unless authorized by law. And you should not share it with anyone not unless you are sure who you are sharing it with and why they need it. Also make sure how they plan on protecting your information.

Everything about you relates back to your social security number and if the right person gets a hold of it they can open fraudulent credit accounts in your name, establish services such as cable, phone, power, etc. access banking information, the list goes on. So, take the necessary steps to protect your social security number and other personal information that criminals can use to steal your Identity.

If you think someone is using your social security number to obtain credit or open other fraudulent accounts you should take the following steps:

-Contact one of the three major credit reporting bureaus and ask that a fraud alert be placed on your report. This way before any new accounts can be opened they must contact you and verify the information.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-679

-File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You can do this online or obtain a complaint form by calling the ftc's tollfree hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261; or write Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.

-Contact the company's where you suspect the fraudulent accounts were open. Ask that any account that was opened fraudently or that you think may of been tampered with be closed.

-File a Police report with your local police Dept Some company's may ask for verification that a crime has been committed.

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.