How to Check If Someone Else Is Using Your Social Security Number

Your Social Security number is tied to your identity, so if it's stolen, it can be used to hijack your credit or hide an illegal worker. There are only two ways to accurately determine whether someone is using your Social Security number: through your credit report and the Social Security report.

Instructions

1. Order a free copy of your credit report. You can do this through sites such as AnnualCreditReport.com. Your free report will not show you your credit score, but you do not need to know the score in order to check if someone's been using your Social Security number. Look for credit card accounts that you did not open.

2. Request a copy of your Social Security statement. Every year, the Social Security Administration sends you your Social Security statement. This tells how much money you earned in a year. You can request this directly from the Social Security Administration if you don't want to wait for your yearly copy.

3. Look through the documents for anomalies. Compare your Social Security statement with your W-2 forms. The yearly salary should match up.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're afraid of someone using your Social Security number, you can put a freeze on your credit report by contacting the credit bureaus. This means that they cannot show a company your credit report unless they have express permission from you, which can stop someone from making an unauthorized request.

References

• Social Security Administration: Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number
• Scam Busters: How to Find Out if Your Social Security Number Has Been Stolen