Don't want scammers to access your SSN? You can lock it down completely. fstop123/Getty Images
Identity theft has evolved into a high-stakes industry, and your Social Security number is the ultimate skeleton key for scammers. While you're distracted by the chaos of a winter storm or busy planning a Valentine's getaway, cybercriminals are banking on your lack of digital situational awareness. Your SSN isn't just a random string of digits; it's the gateway to your financial soul, used for everything from opening fraudulent lines of credit to hijacking your tax returns and medical records.
But you don't have to just cross your fingers and hope for the best. There's a free, powerful defense you can use: lock your SSN and freeze your credit.
An "SSN lock" (like the E-Verify Self Lock) stops someone from using your number to get a job, while a credit freeze stops them from opening new credit cards or loans in your name. Yes, it adds an extra step when you need to apply for something, but that's a tiny hassle compared to the nightmare of cleaning up after an identity thief. You might even want to seek assistance from an identity protection service. If your info was in a breach, stop waiting and lock it down.
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How to lock your Social Security number
There are two ways to block access to your Social Security number.
Call the Social Security Administration
You can contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. Wait times are usually shorter in the morning and later in the week. Once you confirm your identity, the SSA will wave its magic wand and block electronic access to your SSN.
Create an E-Verify account
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