Your Social security The number is one of the most sensitive personal information you have. Too bad yours (and mine and every other American’s) was probably leaked and sold on the Dark Web.

Before you panic, there are a few steps you can take now to protect yourself and your identity.

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Is it really that bad?

That’s for sure. Your social security number is the key to the castle. It is the unique identifier that links your financial information, the government and personal files.

With your SSN, criminals can open a credit card accounts, apply for loans, divert your tax refunds, use your government benefits or even apply for a job.

There is a simple step you can take.

In this photo, a Social Security card sits next to U.S. Treasury checks on October 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

To protect your Social Security number, use the government’s free service Self-locking functionality. This tool prevents your SSN from being used for unauthorized employment verifications. You will need a E-Verify account to do it online.

You can also request a hold by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. Expect to wait a long time.

Stay proactive

The Social Security Administration also provides online access to your earnings and benefit history through its website. my social security account. It is free to use and you can create an account even if you do not benefit from any benefits.

I recommend checking this once a year to make sure everything is okay. Review your reported income and confirm that everything matches your actual work and benefits history.

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Note that if you created a Social Security username more than 3 years ago, you will need to create a Login.gov account or use an ID.me account.

Reg flags

How do you know if your SSN is in someone else’s hands? Let me count the paths…

Unexpected bills or accounts: Receiving bills or statements for accounts you never opened is one of the clearest signs that someone is using your Social Security number. Thieves can use your SSN to open credit card accounts, take out loans, or even set up utilities in your name.

If this happens, contact the company immediately and report the fraudulent activity. At this point, a credit freeze is also essential.

A woman uses a laptop on April 3, 2019. (ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)

Tax forms that do not belong to you: If you receive tax forms like W-2 or 1099 in the mail from employers you’ve never worked with, it could mean someone used your SSN to find a job. In this type of employment fraud, a person who otherwise would not be able to pass employment checks uses your identity instead. It’s a disaster and could leave you struggling with their tax obligations.

Contact the IRS immediately if you receive strange tax forms.

The tax return goes wrong: You file your taxes, then receive a notice that someone else has already filed using your SSN. This is a simple and surprisingly effective way for criminals to get the refunds you’re owed.

Act quickly if you receive a letter from the IRS regarding a duplicate filing. Go to IdentityTheft.gov to file a report. You may need to fill out IRS Form 14039, the Identity Theft Affidavit, to officially report the incident.

Pro tip: Protect your tax accounts before this happens. The IRS offers a special identity protection PIN program. You get a six-digit number to use to file your taxes, effectively locking your account out to outsiders.

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Tips on your credit report: I bet you see a theme here. Everything you know is not you, that is the greatest sign. This may include new accounts, lines of credit you didn’t take out, or other unexplained changes to your credit.

You can get a free credit report once a year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies through Annual Credit Report.com. Pro tip: Stagger reports every few months to make them easier to track throughout the year.

Refusal of government benefits: If you are denied benefits such as disability, Medicare, unemployment, or other government assistance, someone may already be using your SSN to fraudulently claim them.

If this happens to you, contact the agency and explain the situation. They will guide you through the next steps to reinstate your benefits.

A person dressed as an internet hacker is seen with binary code displayed on a laptop screen in this photo illustration. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Do you think your SSN has been stolen?

Move quickly. Start with the Federal Trade Commission at Identity theft.gov. Fill out the form here and you will receive a complete plan to learn how to recover your identity and protect yourself in the future.

The IRS also has a place to report if you suspect someone is using your SSN: Identity theft center.

Check with your bankcredit card providers and insurance companies as well. Some offer free fraud and identity theft protection services that can help you keep everything locked down.

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