Locking your Social Security number after a data breach can protect your identity. Here’s how

for you Social security number It is one of the most important financial information in your life. It is used to apply for loans, find a new job, access some state programs and much more. Protecting your SSN means you won’t have to constantly worry about data breaches or identity theft.

But you don’t just have to cross your fingers and hope for the best. There’s a free and powerful defense you can use: locking your device Social security number Your credit will be frozen.

An “SSN lock” (such as a self-verification lock) prevents anyone from using your number to get a job, while… Credit freeze It prevents them from opening new credit cards or loans in your name. Yes, it adds an extra step when you need to apply for something, but that’s a small hassle compared to the nightmare of cleaning up after an identity thief. You may also want to ask someone for help Identity protection service. If your information has been compromised, stop waiting and shut it down.

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How to lock your social security number

There are two ways to prevent access to your Social Security number.

Contact the Social Security Administration

You can contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 Between 8am and 7pm local time, Monday through Friday. Wait times are usually shorter in the morning and later in the week. Once your identity is confirmed, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will wave its magic wand and block electronic access to your Social Security Number (SSN).

Create an e-Verifying account

You can also create a file Verify MyE Online account to lock your SSN and use the service Self-locking feature. The lock will last for one year. But you will be alerted 30 days before it expires and you can extend the lock if you choose.

This resource is useful because many employers use E-Verify, a service operated by the SSA and US Citizenship and Immigration Services, to verify your eligibility for employment.

When you lock your Social Security number, the company that wants to verify your SSN will not be able to verify your identity, preventing criminals from committing fraud. This option is also useful if you don’t want to pick up the phone every time you want to unlock your SSN.

The downside of locking your SSN

The main drawback to locking your SSN will sound all too familiar to anyone with an SSN. Freeze credit in place. When you block access to your SSN records, you also limit your access to them. This means that you will have to go through the hassle of opening it when you need a new employer to verify your eligibility to work in the United States or if you want to receive government benefits.

This back and forth may be worth it for individuals who have experienced it Employee identity theft And tax fraud. To further protect against tax identity theft, you can create ID protection pin With the IRS to prevent anyone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

What’s the difference between locking your Social Security Number (SSN) and a credit freeze?

A credit freeze is different from locking a Social Security number, although both are free. One blocks access to your Social Security record online while a credit freeze restricts access to your credit reports. to Credit freeze procedureyou’ll need to contact the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) to prevent anyone from setting up credit accounts in your name.

Will locking my Social Security (SSN) protect me from identity theft?

The answer here is largely unsatisfactory: perhaps. Locking your Social Security number can prevent business identity theft or prevent a criminal from collecting government benefits in your name. But it will not prevent all forms of identity theft. As an extra precaution, you should only share your Social Security number when absolutely necessary, and never share it in an unexpected call or text.

It’s also a good idea to monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for any unusual activity. If you’d prefer a service to do this for you, you can sign up for Credit monitoring service or Identity theft protection service. You can often sign up for credit monitoring to monitor your credit reports. Identity theft protection often includes credit monitoring as well as dark web monitoring and alerts if your information is compromised in a data breach. If your identity has been compromised, identity theft protection can help you recover it with white glove recovery services.

For added security, you can freeze your credit with Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax to prevent identity thieves from opening new lines of credit in your name, such as a mortgage or car loan. I recently did this and found the process Surprisingly easy.

More tips on protecting your identity