What Can Someone Do With Your Social Security Number

In 2024, there were 1.1 million cases of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and social security numbers (SSNs) were the most abused identifiers. But what exactly is a social security number, and why does it matter so much? This article breaks down  what can someone can do with your social security number online and why keeping it secure is critical and how you can protect yourself before it’s too late.

What Is a Social Security Number and Why Does It Matter

The SSN is a unique nine-digit number issued by the U.S. government for earnings, benefits, and tax tracking purposes. It serves as a universal identifier for banks, health care, employment, and federal systems. This is what makes it such a valuable commodity for a fraudster. When stolen, it becomes the master key for full-blown identity theft. Stolen SSNs mean full takeover of your digital and financial life through the culprits.

What can someone do with your Social Security number? Criminals can do the following with your SSN and there must be extreme vigilance while keeping your social security number protected.

How Criminals Exploit Your Social Security Number

1. Utilize It to Open Credit Cards or Apply for Loans

With a mere SSN and some basic personal information, fraudsters can go ahead and open credit card accounts or apply for personal loans. According to research by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), due to new account fraud, consumers lost $3.4 billion. Often, a victim only realizes after being denied credit or contacted by debt collectors.

2. Open Bank Accounts Using Synthetic Identities 

Criminals use stolen SSNs to create synthetic identities—mixing real SSNs with fake names and information—to open bank accounts. Such accounts are then commonly used to launder money, commit check fraud, or carry out scams. Synthetic identity fraud is now one of the fastest-growing financial crimes in the United States.

3. Gain Unauthorized Access to Your Bank Account

By combining the SSN with other stolen credentials (say the email or phone number), hackers reset online banking passwords and get full access to the bank accounts. 

4. File Fake Tax Returns

Now what is social security identity theft if not using the SSN of another individual to get a refund that is not theirs? The criminals file early tax returns on your SSN with fabrications of income and collect the tax refund far before you even get a chance to file. The IRS had over one million fake returns in 2023.

5. Receive Medical Treatment Under Your Identity

SSNs tend to be used for attending to medical therapies under the wrong identity. Medical identity theft leads to confused health records, wrong treatments, and hefty bills. In 2023, nearly 80,000 medical fraud cases were linked to stolen social security numbers.

6. Open Utility or Telecom Accounts

Fraudsters can also use your SSN for the purposes of opening mobile phone plans or utility services. They incur big bills and abandon the accounts, leaving you to pay and with a dent on your credit score. And 2023 has witnessed a 14% spike in utility fraud, says the FTC.

7. Commit Crimes Using Your Identity

Some criminals provide law enforcement with a stolen SSN during an arrest. This can lead to a criminal record being tied to your name, which has drastically adverse effects on job opportunities, background checks, and the ability to travel.

8. Change Your Social Security Benefits Receiving Location

Older people are a primary target in such scam cases. Thieves use stolen SSNs to replace the bank deposit account information with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and then withdraw the monthly benefits to their accounts. The Social Security Administration says there has been an 18% increase in benefit theft in 2024.

9. Lease Apartments or Set Up Fake Utility Services

Why is a social security card needed for housing? The SS card is usually one of the necessary documents for leasing. Fraudsters steal social security numbers to rent apartments and escape payment of rent, leaving the real SSN owner with bad rental histories and collections which are in dispute.

What can someone do with your Social Security number if they get creative? They can link fraudulent profiles, get medical treatment, misrepresent employment status, and even take advantage of the system - and you won't be aware of it until it's too late.

Recommended read Ultimate Guide to Identify Fraud Protection in the US
 

How to Protect Yourself from Social Security Identity Theft
 

1. Watch Your Credit: Employ your local credit agencies like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, and sign up for alerts for suspicious transactions.
 

2. Use Identity Verification Tools: 

Platforms such as Youverify can identify a violation of your SSN at an early stage with powerful identity verification methods and KYC/AML compliance tools.

3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Ensure a second layer of protection is added to your banking and email accounts. Indeed, this is a great solution.

4. File Taxes Early: Keep crooks away from your money by filing taxes earlier than the IRS.

5. Suspend Your Credit: Avoid the hassle of someone opening a new account in your name by limiting access to your credit report.
 

6. Protect Physical Documents: Always remember, is it okay to give out your social security number? Avoid sharing it unnecessarily to prevent identity theft, since it is easy to lose and be stolen. If you have any documents containing your SSN, tear them into very small pieces then throw them away in a safe place.
 

7. Monitor Your SSA Account: Regularly monitor your official SSA portal to catch any unexpected transformations in your profile or benefits data.

What to Do If Someone Has Your Social Security Number
 

Many people ask, can someone steal your identity with your social security number? The answer is yes, which is why proper protection is essential.

• Immediately report it to the FTC by going to identitytheft.gov

• Get in touch with the three major credit bureaus and ask them to activate the fraud alert

• Inform the IRS and Social Security Administration about the problem

• If financial damage occurred, submit a police report

• Alternatively, employ professional identity protection services

 

Understanding the Basics: FAQs on Social Security Number

1. What is a social security number? 

It is a nine-digit number issued by the United States (U.S.) government to keep tabs on one’s monetary and employment history.

2. Who gives you your social security card? 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) gives you your social security card.

3. How do I obtain a social security number? Submit an application to the SSA and accompany it with proof of your identity and immigration status.
 

4. Is it possible to view my social security number on the web? You need to log in or make an account with the SSA and from there you can get it.
 

Interesting read KYC/AML Compliance for User Onboarding 

Take Action: Protect Your Identity with Youverify 

Your social security number is a gateway to everything that you do. It is better not to wait until it is misused. Youverify offers its clients the latest identity verification, KYC regulatory compliance, and fraud prevention measures. 
 

We keep people and companies away from the reach of hackers. Check out our advanced security tools now and secure your information before it gets in the wrong hands. Book a demo with Youverify today.