Identity thieves are a persistent problem in the US. They unabashedly target the elderly, the innocent, the naïve, the wealthy, and the desperate population of citizens. Anyone can be susceptible to fraud, or a scam aimed at taking their SSN and using it to steal everything precious to them.

The Social Security number is arguably one of the most important possessions a person can have. With it, a person can open new accounts in the victim’s name and file fraudulent taxes. With this, they can steal the victim’s money, government benefits, and entire identity. To stay out of debt and keep identity thieves at bay, there are some tips to help protect your social security number.

Never Carry Your Card

One of the only situations that merit having a hard copy of your Social Security card is when you get a new job or start going to school, and they need verification of your identity. That said, having your card on your person carries an increased risk of it being lost or stolen. The Social Security Administration even advises against seeking a replacement card if yours has been lost, stolen, or destroyed.

A survey concluded that about 96% of Americans have their Social Security numbers memorized. By memorizing your SSN before adulthood, you’re decreasing the risk of thieves getting ahold of it. Most people keep them in a lockbox, stored away in a file cabinet, or otherwise kept safely at home.

Avoid Scams

Being wary of scams might be easier than it sounds. Identity thieves are always coming up with ways to trick people into sharing their SSNs. Anytime your email address or phone number is shared, they’re given a key to access different ways of communicating with you.

By calling you or sending you an email, they can pretend to be government officials or employers requesting that you send them your SSN. Sometimes they can sound innocent at first, declaring that they found your resume online and want to hire you after you provide them with your personal information. Other times, they can be more malicious and threaten you with jail time.

For one thing, government agencies will never call you to ask for your SSN. If a job offer comes about and they ask for your personal information, it’s wise to call the agency at a legitimate phone number or visit them in person to confirm. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about their intentions with your SSN and follow your gut. If it doesn’t sound right, don’t give it away.

Shred Personal Documents

There are times when your Social Security Number will be on a file or document, like medical records and credit card statements, or banking information. A rule of thumb is to shred all discarded mail, but this is especially the case for papers and information containing personal information. This can be done with an automatic paper shredder, but if you don’t have one, manually ripping those documents to shreds provides the same sense of protection!

Your Social Security Number is yours, and yours only. Safeguard it like your money, benefits, and life depends on it because it does!

Provided by Veris – The Proactive CPA Firm