How to Identify Fraudulent Social Security Cards
Your ability to identify fraudulent Social Security cards helps protect people from identity theft and lost funds. Follow these steps to spot a fake card.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Match the name printed on a Social Security card with the signature of a cardholder. Legitimate cards should have a legible signature written on the line provided. The signature should only be written by the card holder unless there is an accompanying statement of impairment by the Social Security Administration.
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2
Estimate the weight and quality of paper used in a particular Social Security card. You can identify fraudulent Social Security cards by first feeling a card and then weighing it with your hand. A legitimate card weighs a little more than printer paper and feels rough to the touch because the Social Security Administration uses a special type of paper to prevent fraud.
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3
Locate the correct format and number of digits on the Social Security card in question. Legitimate cards have a 3-2-4 format for Social Security numbers that are placed in the center of the card. Watch out for a series of digits that are the same, like 5555, as the odds of such a sequence are slim.
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4
Look closely at the print quality of a Social Security card to determine if a card is fraudulent. You can utilize a magnifying glass to look closely at the printed name and number on a card. Accurate and legitimate cards are devoid of ink smudges or poorly aligned fonts because of quality control mechanisms in government printing offices.
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5
Report cases of Social Security fraud as soon as you have specific evidence. The Social Security Administration can investigate fraud cases more effectively if they have accurate data and a number of tips from citizens. The Fraud Hotline provided by the Office of the Inspector General allows you to submit tips easily (see Resources below).
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1
Tips & Warnings
Ask Social Security cardholders to present other forms of state-issued identification. A driver's license can prove the identity of a particular individual with a license photo and full name. Military identification cards and pieces of mail from government agencies can also help clarify issues of authenticity.
