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Most people have a Social Security number. Misuse
of a person's number can cause problems for the person whose records are
involved. Therefore, it is important that you protect both your Social
Security number and your card to prevent their misuse.
How You Can Protect Your Social Security Card And Your Number
You can protect your Social Security card and your number by keeping your
Social Security card in a safe place. However, you should show your card
to your employer so your name and earnings can be properly reported.
How Social Security Protects Your Record
Although we can't prevent others from asking you for your number, you should
know that giving it to them doesn't give them access to your Social Security
record. The privacy of your record is assured, unless the information is
disclosed to another agency as required by law.
Should I Give My Social Security Number to
Banks, Hospitals, Schools, Other Businesses_
If a business or other enterprise asks for your Social Security number,
you can refuse to give it to them. They may have another method of keeping
their records. However, this may mean doing without the benefit or service
for which your number was requested. Giving your Social Security number
is voluntary, even when you are asked for the number directly.
If requested, you should ask--
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why your Social Security number is needed;
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how your Social Security number is going to be used;
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what law requires you to give your Social Security number; and
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what are the consequences if you refuse to give your Social Security number.
Answers to these questions will help you decide whether you want to give
your Social Security number to get the benefit or service. The decision
is yours.
How Do You Know If Someone is Misusing
Your Social Security Number To Work_
Check your Social Security earnings record every three years. If you find
too many or too few earnings, or your name is recorded incorrectly, report
the error to Social Security. We'll help you correct your record.
To check your earnings record, call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213,
to ask for a Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement (PEBES).
You also can download a PEBES application from the Internet at www.ssa.gov
or visit your local Social Security field office.
Is Someone Misusing Your Social Security Number_
If you suspect someone is misusing your Social Security number, report
it to the Office of Inspector General hotline number, 1-800-269-0271
What If Someone Misuses Your Social
Security Number To Obtain Credit_
If your Social Security number has been misused by someone to obtain credit,
Social Security cannot fix your credit record. To resolve your credit
problems, you need to contact the institution that authorized the credit
and issued a credit card, as well as the major credit reporting agencies.
Obtain a copy of your credit report and ask that an alert be placed on
your credit record requiring that you be contacted before credit is extended
using your name and Social Security number. Three major credit reporting
agencies are--
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Equifax--1-800-525-6285
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Trans Union--1-800-680-7289; and
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Experian--1-800-301-7195
Work with each credit bureau, creditor, employer and government agency
involved to remove inaccurate information from your records. You should
continue checking your credit report annually for inaccuracies.
Keep copies of your correspondence, records of your telephone
calls and other documents verifying your efforts to correct the problem.
Can You Get A New Social Security Number
If Your Number Has Been Misused
Under certain circumstances, Social Security may assign you a new Social
Security number if, after making all efforts to resolve the problems caused
by someone else's misuse of your Social Security number, you are still
being disadvantaged by the misuse. There is no guarantee that a new number
will resolve your problem.
A new Social Security number will NOT be assigned if you--
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are trying to avoid the law or your legal responsibility;
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intend to avoid disclosure of a poor credit or criminal record when you
are at fault:
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have no proof that someone else caused the problem: or
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have lost your Social Security card or it was stolen but there is no evidence
that your Social Security number is being misused and you are being
disadvantaged by that misuse.
If you can documents that you are being disadvantaged because of the misuse
of your Social Security number, visit your local Social Security field
office to request a new Social Security number. |
