How to Report a Stolen SSN
Identity theft is a crime that can have serious adverse affects on your life. An unscrupulous person can use your Social Security number to rack up debt in your name. Potential employers and creditors who run a credit check can use this unpaid debt to deny you a loan, job and even an apartment. If you have had your Social Security number stolen, there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage.
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Instructions
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Place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will alert potential creditors that you suspect someone may be using your Social Security number to open accounts in your name. You only need to contact one credit reporting agency to file a fraud alert. That agency is then required to contact the other two agencies on your behalf. You can contact Trans Union by calling 1-800-680-7289; Equifax by calling 1-800-525-6285 and Experian by calling 1-888-397-3742.
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Contact the IRS Identity Protection Unit if you think that your Social Security number may have been used to file a tax return. The telephone number for this unit is 1-800-908-4490, or you can visit their website.
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Use the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) online complaint form or call the Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT to file a complaint with the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
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Contact the police and file an identity theft complaint. Gather documentation, such as credit reports, showing that someone has been using your Social Security number fraudulently. If you used the FTC's online complaint form, you can print your "ID Theft Complaint" and provide that to the police as well.
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Consider getting a new Social Security number. This is a drastic measure, and the Social Security Administration will require you to prove that the theft is causing you continued hardship. Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to find out whether or not you qualify for a new number.
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Tips & Warnings
There are two types of fraud alerts that can be placed on your account; an initial fraud alert remains on your account for 90 days, while an extended fraud alert lasts for seven years. This alert tells potential creditors that you have been the victim of identity theft, so that they can take additional precautions to ensure that they do not issue credit to anyone but you.
