How To Lock Your Social Security Number

To lock your Social Security number (SSN), you first need to either contact the Social Security Administration or use your E-Verify account to self-lock it. It is necessary to lock your SSN when you suspect that it has been stolen and used to commit fraud or identity theft. If you notice suspicious activity in your bank accounts, missing mail or mistakes in your tax returns, you might be a victim of identity theft and should lock your SSN immediately.

Continue reading to learn what locking your SSN does, how to lock your SSN and what else you should do if your SSN is stolen.

What does locking my Social Security number do?

When you secure your SSN, it means that no one, not even you, can change or access your Social Security record. This prevents unauthorized individuals from gaining access to the personal details linked to your SSN. However, locking your SSN not only stops a thief from claiming your benefits but also prevents you from receiving any benefits. If your SSN is locked and you give your SSN to a new employer to verify your identity, your employer will be told that your SSN does not match your identity because it is locked. Although locking your SSN helps prevent anyone from committing identity theft or fraud in your name, it also has consequences that you may face even as the owner of your own SSN.

If you requested to lock your SSN and later want that lock removed, you can contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to unlock it. You’ll need proof of your identity when you call, and once they approve your request, your SSN will be unlocked.

Options to lock your Social Security number

When you suspect you’ve become a victim of fraud or identity theft, there are two main options you can choose from to lock your SSN.

Option 1: Contact the Social Security Administration by phone

You can call the SSA to lock your SSN. Contact them at 1-800-772-1213, and make sure you have additional proof of your identity when you speak to them. Additional forms of identification could include a driver’s license or passport.

Option 2: Use E-Verify to self-lock your SSN

If you would rather not speak to someone on the phone, you can self-lock your SSN as long as you have created an E-Verify account. After creating your account, you will be asked three security questions for which you should have answers prepared and be the only one who knows them. It’s important to remember these answers because you will need to answer the same questions whenever you want to remove the lock from your SSN.

What else should I do if my SSN was stolen?

Beyond locking your SSN, there are additional steps you can take to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft.

Freeze your credit report

You can freeze your credit report, which will stop creditors from approving any new loans or lines of credit in your name. A credit freeze prevents creditors from accessing your credit report and is typically done to protect yourself from fraud if your sensitive information, like your SSN, is stolen. You can place a credit freeze by contacting each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. The good news about freezing your credit is that you can do it for free, and it won’t affect your credit score. By placing a credit freeze, you protect your personal information and identity from being used for fraudulent purposes.

Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

After your SSN has been stolen, you should report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) right away. When you notify the FTC, you will receive customized steps based on your unique situation, and the FTC will use the information you provide to work with law enforcement to investigate the theft. It’s important to report your SSN theft to the FTC so they can forward your report to law enforcement, who can assist you in the justice process.

Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

If you suspect your SSN has been used for tax-related identity theft, contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Since your SSN is used to file taxes, having it stolen means someone could file a fraudulent tax return or claim a credit in your name. Contact the IRS by calling 1-800-908-4490 so they can secure your tax information.

You can also set up an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), which is a six-digit number that prevents anyone else from filing a tax return using your SSN. Request an IP PIN through your online IRS account. You will receive a new IP PIN each year if you’ve been a confirmed victim of identity theft to protect your taxes and sensitive information.

Contact any companies that used your SSN

Remember to inform any companies that used your SSN that it was stolen and potentially misused. This is important because companies that require proof of your identity could have approved activity in your name without your knowledge. For example, you should contact the fraud departments of your bank or credit card accounts to ensure they are aware your SSN has been stolen. Provide additional proof of your identity and request that they require additional verification for any further actions in your accounts to stop the thief from solely using your SSN to commit fraud.

Keep your SSN safe

Because your SSN is one of the most important sensitive documents, it’s crucial to not only keep your physical Social Security card safe but also maintain the privacy of your SSN. If you are unfortunately a victim of SSN theft, you should be aware of how your SSN could be used and the options you have to protect your identity. Make sure to lock your SSN following a suspected identity theft and contact the necessary authorities to secure your sensitive information.

Make sure you’re prepared when you need to unlock your SSN by saving your security questions and answers in a password manager like Keeper^®. With Keeper, you can create a record in your encrypted vault with all of your questions and answers saved and accessible from any device. All you have to do is remember your master password, and you can log into your vault. Start a 30-day free trial of Keeper Password Manager today.