How to Tell If Someone Is Using Your Social Security Number

Check your credit at least one time per year to detect identity theft.

A Social Security number is used to identify every person within the United States. Social Security numbers are used for all finances, including personal loans, credit accounts and automobile and home loans. Another person's use of your Social Security number can pose serious threats to your future chances of obtaining financing. There are a few simple ways to monitor your Social Security number to find out if anyone is using your identity.

Instructions

1. To check your credit without damaging it, obtain a free credit report from each of the three credit agencies --- start at the portal at AnnualCreditReport.com.

2. When you receive your credit report, look for misspelling of your name; a misspelled name can indicate that another person is using your Social Security number.

3. Look for unknown lines of credit on your report. If any unfamiliar collections, loans or credit cards are reported on your account, there is a high chance that someone is using your Social Security number to obtain credit.

4. Look for any inquiries that did not originate at your behest (inquiries are reported on your credit report every time someone attempts to open or pay for a credit account, utility or cable service). Credit reports will show all inquiries within the last two years.

Tips & Warnings

• You are entitled by law to one free credit report per year from each of the three credit report agencies. To maximize the benefits you gain from reading your free reports, stagger the timing of your requests: request a free report from one agency, then wait four months and request your second free report from a second agency, then wait four more months and request your third free report from the last agency. The following year, repeat.

References

• FTC: Detect Identity Fraud
• AnnualCreditReport.com: Frequently Asked Questions