Identity Theft

What to do if someone steals your ID

Identity Theft: What to Do if It Happens to You

A Joint Publication of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and CALPIRG

Social Security Number (SSN) Misuse

Social Security Number (SSN) Misuse

9. Social Security Number (SSN) misuse. Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to report fraudulent use of your SSN such as welfare or Social Security benefit fraud.

They do not handle cases of financial or criminal identity theft. (See contact information)

As a last resort, you might try to change your number, although this is not recommended except for very serious cases.

The SSA will only change the number if you fit their fraud victim criteria.

See Fact Sheet 113 ("Victim Resources") at www.idtheftcenter.org for more information on this topic.

Web: www.ssa.gov

Contact Information

Social Security Administration
Order Earnings & Benefits Statement: (800) 772-1213. The SSA automatically mails it to individuals three months before their birthday.

Web: www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-7004.html

Report fraud: (800) 269-0271.

Web: www.ssa.gov/oig/public_fraud_reporting/index.htm
 

Or write to: Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235.