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What can happen if someone steals your SSN?

What can happen if someone steals your SSN?

Once hackers or thieves have your SSN, they can make false statements on claims, file claims under your SSN, file fraudulent tax returns for refunds, open bank accounts and credit cards and more. A SSN, especially one with a good credit score attached, can be used to extract serious money quickly via these scams.

Why would someone steal a Social Security number?

Identity thieves use stolen Social Security numbers to get a fraudulent refund, which then delays any refund the victim is rightfully owed. So, the sooner you file your taxes, the more likely you’ll get your refund before an identity thief has an opportunity to take advantage of your stolen identity.

What do you do if someone hacks your Social Security number?

Contact the SSA on 1-800-269-0271 or alert them via the IRS Identity Protection website so that no one files a tax return and steals your refund! You may want to file a police report in the local jurisdiction where the identity theft took place so that you have a record of the incident.

What does it mean when someone steals your Social Security number?

SIRF occurs when a thief uses your Social Security number and other personal information to file an income tax return in your name to claim a tax refund—essentially stealing money from the U.S. Treasury. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that SIRF enforcement has become one of the Tax Division’s highest prosecutorial priorities.

Can you get a new Social Security number if your old one is stolen?

Furthermore, your old Social Security Number will still be valid, and you cannot apply for a new Social Security number just to clear off bad credit or mistakes on your credit report.

What kind of crimes can be committed with a Social Security number?

One of the identity theft-related crimes most people think of is credit card fraud. However, credit card fraud may be just one of the crimes that can be committed if a criminal assumes your identity with your Social Security number and other personal information.

Who is the author of the theft of Social Security?

Economics professor Dr. Allen Smith, author of The Looting of Social Security: How The Government is Draining America’s Retirement Account, has been reporting on the theft of Social Security funds for years. As he sums it up: “The government’s $2.5 trillion debt to Social Security is the real reason that so many politicians want to cut benefits.

What to do if someone stole your Social Security number?

To follow up on identity theft issues regarding taxes, you can contact the Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 — expect to be on hold for a long time, especially if you’re calling during filing season. Once someone’s Social Security number has been stolen, it can be extremely difficult to prevent abuse.

What does it mean when someone steals your identity?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s personally identifying information, like a person’s name, Social Security number, or credit card number or other financial information, without permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

How many people have their Social Security numbers stolen?

In 2017, an estimated 143 million Americans had their data compromised, including their Social Security numbers, which means that the likelihood of falling victim to fraud is all the more great. If you have reason to believe your Social Security benefits have been stolen, you’ll need to take action right away.

What can a thief do with a stolen SSN?

A stolen SSN lets the thief, or the person he or she sells it to, do almost everything a legitimate SSN holder can do — and more. By assuming a real person’s name and SSN, a thief can steal property and money from that person.