Identity theft is a growing threat, and your Social Security number (SSN) is a prime target for criminals. While distractions like seasonal events or everyday life pull your focus elsewhere, fraudsters exploit vulnerabilities in digital security. Your SSN isn’t just a number; it’s the key to your financial life, enabling fraudulent credit applications, tax fraud, and even medical identity theft.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a victim. Two powerful, free defenses exist: locking your SSN and freezing your credit. These measures add minor inconvenience but offer strong protection against a potentially devastating financial crisis.
What Do These Protections Do?
An SSN lock prevents unauthorized use of your number for employment verification, while a credit freeze blocks new credit accounts from being opened in your name. The slight friction of unlocking your information when needed is far preferable to cleaning up after identity theft.
For those whose data has been compromised in breaches, immediate action is crucial. Locking down your SSN and freezing your credit should be a priority.
How to Lock Your Social Security Number
The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers two methods for blocking access to your SSN:
- Call the SSA: Contact them at 1-800-772-1213 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. Wait times are shorter in the morning and later in the week.
- Create a MyE-Verify Account: Use the SSA’s online platform to lock your SSN. The lock lasts one year, with a 30-day expiration notice for renewal.
This method is particularly useful because many employers use E-Verify, the SSA and US Citizenship and Immigration Services’ service, to verify employment eligibility. Blocking access prevents criminals from verifying fraudulent identities.
The Trade-Offs
Locking your SSN, like freezing your credit, restricts your own access. You’ll need to unlock it when applying for jobs or benefits. However, this inconvenience is a small price to pay for security, especially if you’ve been a victim of employment identity theft or tax fraud. For additional tax protection, consider obtaining an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS.
SSN Lock vs. Credit Freeze: What’s the Difference?
Both are free, but they protect different assets. An SSN lock secures your Social Security record, while a credit freeze restricts access to your credit reports. To implement a credit freeze, contact all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Is Locking Enough?
Locking your SSN can deter employment fraud and government benefit theft, but it’s not foolproof. Identity theft is evolving. Protect yourself by sharing your SSN only when absolutely necessary and avoiding unsolicited requests.
Monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for unusual activity. Consider credit monitoring or identity theft protection services for added security, including dark web monitoring and white-glove restoration assistance if compromised. Freezing your credit with all three bureaus is an extra layer of defense against new fraudulent credit lines.
Locking your SSN and freezing your credit are proactive steps to secure your financial identity. They’re not absolute guarantees, but they significantly raise the bar for criminals, making your personal information harder to exploit.
