Why would someone change their Social Security number?
A victim of identity theft, who has attempted to fix problems resulting from the misuse but continues to be disadvantaged by using the original number. There is a situation of harassment, abuse or life endangerment. An individual has religious or cultural objections to certain numbers or digits in the original number.
Yes, but it is not easy. If you can show that you are in danger due to domestic violence or other abuse, or you are experiencing significant, ongoing financial harm due to identity theft, Social Security can assign you a different number.
In fact, there are drawbacks to changing your number. It could result in losing your credit history, your academic records, and your professional degrees. The absence of any credit history under the new SSN would make it difficult for you to get credit, rent an apartment, or open a bank account.
If you decide to apply for a new number, you'll need to prove your identity, age, and U.S. citizenship or immigration status. For more information, ask for Your Social Security Number and Card (Publication Number 05-10002). You'll also need to provide evidence that you're having ongoing problems because of the misuse.
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).
1401.7Can a person have more than one SSN? Most persons have only one SSN. In certain limited situations, SSA can assign you a new number. If you receive a new SSN, you should use the new number.
Call the Internal Revenue Service or the Social Security fraud hotline. You can also call the Social Security fraud hotline at 800-269-0271 to report that your Social Security number has been compromised.
We don't charge a fee to assign a Social Security number or issue a Social Security card. If you should lose the card, we will replace it for free. We suggest you keep your card in a safe place, as you would any important document. Will SSA share any information with others?
The Serial Number
As you can see, your social security number does not expressly say anything about you.
When issuing a new SSN, the Social Security Administration (SSA) links your old number to your new one so you'll still be associated with all wages earned. As long as you let lenders know that you've changed your number, credit bureaus will be able to connect your credit history to your new SSN.
How can you find out if someone is using your identity?
- Bills for items you did not buy.
- Debt collection calls for accounts you did not open.
- Information on your credit report for accounts you did not open.
- Denials for loan applications.
- Mail stops coming to - or is missing from - your mailbox.
Fraudsters only need your SSN, date of birth, and address to open new bank accounts in your name. In rare instances, some banks will ask for your driver's license as identification, which scammers can provide if they've stolen your wallet.
YOU MAY BE UNDER SSA INVESTIGATION AT YOUR CONSULTATIVE EXAMINATION. Typically, when the SSA decides to start an investigation, they will have an investigator follow you at your Consultative Examination. The people who follow you are not police officers, they are investigators.
Since 1973, social security numbers have been issued by our central office. The first three (3) digits of a person's social security number are determined by the ZIP Code of the mailing address shown on the application for a social security number.
The social security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Social security numbers are considered invalid by the SSA when they meet any of the following criteria: All zeros (000000000) All ones (111111111)
No valid SSN has 9 identical digits or has the 9 digits running consecutively from 1-9. For example, all of the following SSNs are invalid: 111-11-1111.
As long as a hacker or scammer has access to other personal information such as your name and address, they can use the last four digits of your SSN (in most cases) to open accounts in your name, steal your money and government benefits, or even get healthcare and tax refunds in your name.
Though seemingly fixed, identity can be modified. Indeed, identity transformation is sometimes necessary, even therapeutic—e.g., to facilitate modifying unhealthy behaviors (overeating, excessive drinking, drug abuse), or to adapt to new circ*mstances (life after loss, diagnosis of a serious illness).
To request a different Social Security number, contact your local Social Security office for an in-person appointment.
Passport information sells for $62.61 on the dark web according to the Dark Web Index, while other proof-of-identity documents are running just under $30. A separate Experian estimate from 2017 has driver's licenses selling for $20 while, surprisingly, Social Security numbers can sell for as little as $1.
What do the 2 middle numbers in Social Security mean?
The group numbers are the two middle numbers of a social security number. These numbers do not represent the geographical region, but they do represent the order in which a number was issued for a particular region.
The nine-digit SSN is composed of three parts: The first set of three digits is called the Area Number. The second set of two digits is called the Group Number. The final set of four digits is the Serial Number.
The Five-Year Rule is critical when considering your Social Security retirement benefits. Under this regulation, you must have at least five years of covered earnings to fully qualify for your retirement benefits.
Credit bureaus don't consider changes to Social Security numbers when determining someone's credit score.
When we verify your identity through an Identity Services Provider's “soft inquiry,” it will not change your credit score. Your report will show that Social Security made a soft inquiry. Lenders cannot view soft inquiries and they are generally removed from your credit report after 12 months.
While you must provide the SSA with several documents and the completed SSA Form SS-5, the process is simple and takes only a few weeks to get a new card. Once you've changed your Social Security card to your new name, you can make changes to other documents, such as your driver's license, much more easily. by Ronna L.
- You're alerted to a credit card charge you didn't make. ...
- Your loan or credit card application was denied. ...
- There's a change to your credit score. ...
- There's a new account you didn't open under your name. ...
- Your information was part of a data breach.
You should review your bank account statements regularly; if you see unknown purchases, that could be a sign that your identity has been stolen. Check credit reports. Similarly, monitor your credit reports from all three credit-reporting bureaus for any unknown accounts or inaccurate information.
The best way to find out if someone has opened an account in your name is to pull your own credit reports to check. Note that you'll need to pull your credit reports from all three bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — to check for fraud since each report may have different information and reporting.
To commit SIF, fraudsters begin by stealing legitimate Social Security numbers from people who aren't using their credit – usually a child, a homeless person, or the recently deceased. To build a “synthetic” identity – or thousands of them – fraudsters add fake addresses, phone numbers, and even social media accounts.
Can someone access your bank account with your SSN?
Financial identity theft
An identity thief can use your SSN together with your PII to open new bank accounts or access existing ones, take out credit cards, and apply for loans all in your name.
Scammers can steal your identity by obtaining your personal financial information online, at the door or over the phone. What they want are account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other confidential information that they can use to loot your checking account or run up bills on your credit cards.
If your condition improves to the point where you can go back to work, benefits are supposed to stop. For that reason, the Social Security Administration (SSA) conducts a periodic check-in, called a continuing disability review (CDR), to ensure you still have a condition that keeps you from earning a livelihood.
Your Social Security Statement (Statement) is available to view online by opening a my Social Security account. It is useful for people of all ages who want to learn about their future Social Security benefits and current earnings history.
Your Social Security number will not change. The Social Security website has an interactive page with more detailed information on what you need to get a new card. For name-change requests, click the tab that says “Corrected” under “Type of card."
The most common disadvantages include: Reduced benefits – If you wait until you turn 65 years old, you can receive the full available benefits each month. However, applying for Social Security at 62 means your monthly payments are at a reduced amount.
- It is a system that is not fully funded. ...
- It is not available to everyone. ...
- It rewards high-income earners. ...
- It is offered when it may be difficult to use or enjoy its benefits. ...
- It may not give you a chance to break even on what you've paid into the program.
Social Security Only Covers a Portion of Your Expenses: Social Security only provides 42% of the pre-retirement expenses of an average American. As a result, Americans today must have additional retirement savings or income sources available to help fund their lifestyles.
Even if you do take steps to change your identity, a stalker may still be able to track you down through family and friends who know your new identity and location. If you have ongoing legal issues with the abuser or don't plan to relocate, the risk that your new identity will be discovered is extremely high.
If you know your Social Security information has been compromised, you can request to Block Electronic Access. This is done by calling our National 800 number (Toll Free 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
Should I freeze my Social Security number?
When should you lock your Social Security number? If your Social Security information has been compromised, you may be able to use an SSN lock to prevent some access to your personal information. Unfortunately, you may not know that someone has stolen your SSN until it's too late.
- You Forfeit Up To 30% of Your Benefits by Claiming Early. ...
- You'll Get Less If You Claim Early and Earn Too Much Money. ...
- The SSA Suspends Payments If You Go to Jail or Prison. ...
- You Can Lose Some of Your Benefits to Taxes. ...
- You Can Lose SSDI in a Few Different Ways.
Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.
- 7 Social Security Mistakes to Avoid.
- Not Asking for Help.
- Not Accounting For Longevity.
- Mistakes With Spousal Benefits.
- Not Looking at the Big Picture.
- Ignoring Paperwork.
You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.
Social Security has a long-known basic math problem: more money will be going out than coming in. Roughly 10,000 baby boomers are retiring each day, with insufficient numbers of younger people entering the work force to pay into the system and support them. And life expectancy is increasing.
For people who are earning 25,000 dollars across the year rather than the previously mentioned amount, 1,880 dollars of the benefits would have to be withheld, so the monthly benefit amount is 1,886 dollars.