Secure Number Article For Free

There are measures you can take to help prevent further unauthorized use of your SSN and other personal information. You can lock your SSN by calling the Social Security Administration or by creating an E-Verify account. Also, you can contact all three of the nationwide CRAs to place a freeze on your credit reports.

Don't Send Your SSN via an Electronic Device Never type your SSN into an email or instant message and send it. The majority of such messages can be intercepted and read. Also, don't leave a voicemail that includes your SSN. If you need to contact someone and give them your number, it's best to do it in person.

Then visit IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. Answer questions about what happened to you. Get a recovery plan that's just for you. You can create an account on the website. The account helps you with recovery steps. The account also helps you track your progress.

Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-908-4490 or visit them online, if you believe someone is using your SSN to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes. Order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

ITIN. An ITIN, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, is a tax processing number only available for certain nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who cannot get a Social Security Number (SSN). It is a 9-digit number, beginning with the number "9", formatted like an SSN (NNN-NN-NNNN).

The call or email will ask the potential victim to "verify" their SSN before the problem can be solved. Never give out your SSN to anyone over the phone or through a web form or email. Doing so can give crooks the ability to apply for credit in your name and opens the door to other forms of identity theft.

Then, you can send the other digits in person or through a phone call. A live phone call is a much more secure method of sending your Social Security number because your SSN won't be kept in text form on any servers. Unless someone is eavesdropping on your phone call, your SSN is unlikely to be stolen.