Someone Is Using My SSN For Employment

Identity thieves who use a Social Security number that doesn’t belong to them to gain employment is often committed by an undocumented worker or someone attempting to escape a troubled past. This type of identity theft can be difficult to control and resolve because it involves IRS earning records and Social Security. These government agencies may have a hard time determining which records are correct which can cause ongoing issues for victims of this type of crime.

Because thieves already have access to sensitive information needed to gain employment, victims may also find new credit accounts or utilities opened in a victims’ name as well.

If You Believe Your Social Security Number Has Been Misused:

1. The Social Security Administration is responsible for protecting your Social Security number. If you believe your Social Security number has been used to obtain employment contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 to verify the earnings reported on your social security number and to request a copy of your Social Security Statement (Form SSA-7005).

2. If you find inaccuracies in your Social Security Statement, report it to the Social Security Administration immediately. You may file a complaint online at www.socialsecurity.gov/oig . You may also call toll free: 1-800-269-0271,or write: Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, Maryland 21235.

3. Report the Identity Theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Creating an Identity Theft Affidavit from the FTC can be very helpful in assisting law enforcement with creating an Identity Theft Report and can also be used at times in place of a police report if you are unable to obtain a report from your local law enforcement agency.

Report all of the inaccuracies you have identified on your credit report and anything else you know about the crime. Go to www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft to report online and print out an Identity Theft Affidavit when you are finished. You may also contact the FTC at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338), to file your report by phone, and request that they send you an affidavit of the report that you filed by phone.
For more information, visit How to Use an Identity Theft Affidavit.

4. Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If an identity thief is using your Social Security number for employment, the employer will use your Social Security number to report income earned. The identity thief may also use your number to file a tax return in order claim a tax refund. If you believe you may have tax issues as a result of identity theft, contact the IRS Identity Protection Unit at 1-800-908-4490. For more information, visit Identity Protection page on the IRS web site.

5. Contact your local law enforcement agency about your identity theft and file an Identity Theft Report. Be sure to ask for a copy of the report.

You will need an Identity Theft Report to exercise your right to have the fraudulent information removed permanently from your credit report, and to stop creditors and collection agencies from reporting the fraudulent debt to the credit bureaus.

Take a copy of the Identity Theft Affidavit you filed with the FTC to the police to make it easier for the police to write your Identity Theft Report.

For more information, visit How to Use and Identity Theft Report.

6. Get copies of your credit report from the three credit bureau listed below and consider placing a fraud alert and credit freeze on your account.



P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374 1-800-525-6285 www.equifax.com	P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com	P.O. Box 6790 Fullerton, CA 92834 1-800-680-7289 www.transunion.com

Can I get a new Social Security Number?

Possibly, but it isn’t always the best solution. If you have done all you can to resolve your Social Security number misuse, the Social Security Administration may assign you a new number. You will no longer be able to use your old Social Security number, but it will continue to be tied to any new number issued. If you determine there is a valid need to apply for a new number, you must contact the Social Security Administration at toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. For more information, you may also ask the Social Security Administration for “Your Social Security Number and Card” (Publication Number 05-10002).