Is it possible to have your social security number changed due to identity theft?
I found out that my social security number has been used by an ex-relative. I have had many credit cards issued in my name without my approval, and I have closed countless accounts over the years. Now new cards keep getting issued in this person’s name with my social security number and it shows up on my credit report. I really don’t understand how that works, I thought more than just my social security number would have to match for it to appear on my credit report, but it does.
Would the Social Security Administration accept identity theft as a valid reason to have my social security number changed? This person has ruined my credit and I have documented proof of it.
If it’s not possible to get a new social security number, how can I ever restore my credit and put a stop to this credit fraud?
Get the person who has been using your number arrested, charged and jailed.
You should also put a fraud alert on your credit report.
If you can prove that these cards were taken out by someone other than you, the agencies have to take them off your record which will return your credit report back to the way it was.
Have your evidence ready and have it notarized. Then have a lawyer write a letter to request another SSN due to identity theft. Just be sure you have proof that you tried to resolve the problem to make it valid.. They should be able help you.
It’s tempting, but you wouldn’t want to do that. Think how backwards the SS system is, now think that they will handle things cleanly so that when you are ready to retire you will be able to collect your benefits.
If you are getting exhausted trying to deal with this situation now, think how wiped out you will be at 75 when you are trying to convince the SS dept. that you are one and the same as that "number" that paid into the administration out of his or her paychecks for so many years.
Solution: call the 3 major credit unions and put a flag on your number. This way, any time someone wants to open an account using your credit, there is a flag that says NO. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report. Check it out and see what accounts are open, then call each creditor and cancel the account.
You might have to check your credit report every year to make sure the flags are still in place and that nothing has slipped through, but it’s worth it!
Good luck.
First of all, call the credit bureaus and put a fraud alert on your account. With this, any time someone opens an account in your name the credit bureau will have to get permission from you, otherwise the account can’t be open.
I think that SSA should be able to change your number, I don’t see why not.
With respect to restoring your credit, it can be time consuming, but you will have to work with the credit bureaus. Pull up your credit report (by federal law you can get one free at annualcreditreport.com) and anything that is not yours, dispute it with the bureau.
You might also want to consider filling charges against the person and possibly suing them.
Good luck!
Yes, you can just go apply for a social security number. Just call the IRS and ask them what you should do. My aunt went through the same thing. They will actually flag your account for Identity Theft. Hope this will help you with your situation.
Go to your Social Security office with your evidence.
Yes.
If you have done all you can to fix the problems resulting from the misuse of your Social Security number and someone is still using your number, they may assign you a new number.
You cannot get a new Social Security number for these reasons alone:
To avoid the consequences of filing for bankruptcy;
If you intend to avoid the law or your legal responsibility; or
If your Social Security card is lost or stolen, but there is no evidence that someone is using your number.
If you decide to apply for a new number, you will need to prove your age, U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status and identity. For more information, ask for Your Social Security Number And Card (Publication Number 05-10002).
You also will need to provide evidence that you still are being disadvantaged by the misuse.
Keep in mind that a new number probably will not solve all your problems. This is because other governmental agencies (such as the Internal Revenue Service and state motor vehicle agencies) and private businesses (such as banks and credit reporting companies) likely will have records under your old number. Also, because credit reporting companies use the number, along with other personal information, to identify your credit record, using a new number will not guarantee you a fresh start. This is especially true if your other personal information, such as your name and address, remains the same.
If you receive a new Social Security number, you will not be able use the old number anymore.
For some victims of identity theft, a new number actually creates new problems. If the old credit information is not associated with the new number, the absence of any credit history under the new number may make it more difficult for you to get credit.
First of all don’t even bother going to your local office with evidence, they take forever. It you have a huge identity theft they send a state agent to talk to you at your home, not at the office. And if you have a little theft then they will just flag your account and have someone watch your file and see what changes are being made. Other than that they don’t do too much.
Yes. I think you should be able to resolve your problem when you have evidence to support your claims.
first of all don’t even bother going to your local office with evidence :/
habersizce´s last [type] ..Şişme Bebek Modeli
Put a fraud alert on your account and get your credit report and begin repairing your credit. I would do it monthly in your case, not yearly. You have to pay for your report if requested more than once a year, but it is worth it in your case. It is not expensive.
I agree with Zuka; don’t change your social security number. It would be easier to just repair your credit by getting the invalid information removed by the three bureaus.
Get the bumb put in jail too as another poster mentioned.
Unfortunately, this type of identity theft is common. Most people have there identity and SSN stolen by people they know. Lock your documents in a safe in the future and be very aware of those that are in your home and could have access to your sensative information.
Good luck.
When I read the question, I was hoping there was answer as to whether the SS Administration would actually do that. I know some people who have had mild problems with identity theft but nothing terrible.
This is a great question to ask the kids and teens in my financial education programs. Nowadays, with Facebook and Twitter and everywhere else the kids ‘think’ they are safe, they really need to know that it’s pretty easy for something to steal who they are and use it against their will. I know we want to think the world is full of honest people, and I think it is…our children just need to be warned at how easy this is for someone who knows what they’re doing.
Thanks for the great question and I can’t wait to see what my students say to the question.
Well it has been a year since you posted this question but I thought I should put my two cents in because I am in a huge battle with ID Theft right now. To answer your question, yes they will give you a new number…they are giving me a new number and I should have it by the end of next month. They do not do it just for ID Theft though…it has to be a fairly big problem for them to do it, and just having ID Theft even if it is for years will not matter to them. Also, I read some comments about having the person who stole your identity arrested…that is also very hard to do. Local agencies just do not care or do not have the time or funding to handle a case like ID theft. I tried for over a year to get my guy arrested…local agencies, federal agencies…nobody cared. I had the person’s address and there was a police station just blocks away and they still would not lift a finger. This guy has filed taxes under my name, worked under my name, obtained credit under my name, and flown in and out of the country under my name. I am not sure what made the SSA (socai security administration) react to my file but it was something big that they saw. It is now with the State Department and is a “priority” with them now…so I am happy somebody cares…but it is a bit nerve racking to know that agency showed an interest. Hope this helps.