Preventing Identity Theft and What to Do if You become a victim

There is a growing crime sweeping across the United States. It's not violence in the streets we're talking about here, it is identity theft.  When you find out someone has secured credit in your name and tarnished your credit score, the damage has already been done. Either you find out when you're turned down for a new credit card or loan, or you're receiving phone calls from debt collectors. 

There are a number of ways that criminals can look to acquire your idenity.
•    When your wallet or purse is stolen, the worry does not end after you've called your credit card companies and they've issued you new cards. If you keep your bank records, credit statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, tax information, etc. - if any of that is kept on your person, you're at risk.
•    Be careful of sites you visit on the web. Look for security certificates on all sites that you patron - especially those that ask you for your personal information.
•    Shred all credit offers, statements, tax information - anything with personal information. Shred it all before throwing it away. Rummaging through your trash at home, at business, or even at public trash dumps is just another way that criminals work to secure your most volatile information.
•    Even when you answer the phone, be on your guard. People can pose as any legitimate entity. You'd have no problem giving this information to an employer or landlord, would you? I'm not saying don't give this information out if they call you on the phone; just be sure they are who they say they are.
•   If you think someone is using your number for employment, you should contact the SSA. they'll review the earnings posted to your record. If you believe someone may have used your social security number to acquire credit cards or loans in your name, then you should contact the FTC - they can help. Social Security can't solve that problem for you.  Additionally, you should think of contacting the IRS. It's possible that in addition to the credit cards taken out in your name, the thief may have used your number to file for a tax return or even taken a job in your name, which can cause trouble for you with the IRS.

If you're worried, that's not enough reason to get a new Social Security Number. Sorry to say, but the SSA will not provide a new number if there is no evidence that someone else is using your number. So, if you have lost your card, that doesn't mean that it's time to get a new number. Identity theft is not so rampant that it is guaranteed your card will fall into the wrong hands. What's important is to safeguard yourself from being put into the position where you lose your card. That's the first step.

However, if you must get a new number, then you will need to prove your age, U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status and your identity to the SSA. Meanwhile, a new card will not necessarily solve all of your problems. The IRS, your banks, your credit card issuers will still have the old number in their records. For some people this means more problems than you had to begin with. Since all of your old accounts have your old Social Security Number, this will essentially mean that you'll have new difficulties when it comes to getting credit and rebuilding your credit score.