Here’s What You Need to Do to Keep Your Social Security Number from Being Compromised

You may be a victim of theft and not even know it. Forbes reports that fraudsters are getting more brazen these days, using stolen Social Security numbers to defraud 51,600 victims out of $278 million last year alone, according to the FBI. By using other people’s Social Security numbers these scammers are able to establish credit and take out fraudulent loans, open bogus bank accounts, file taxes to collect phony refunds, and many more deviant acts.

You can keep from becoming an unsuspecting victim by following these simple steps:

• Create an account on the Social Security website and use it to monitor earnings and benefits distributions.
• Use a credit monitoring service.
• Keep your Social Security card in a safe place. Do NOT carry it in your wallet.
• Do not share your Social Security number. Ask if it is truly needed when filling out forms — most times it is not required.
• Protect your private information. If you keep documents, such as tax returns, which contain your Social Security number, make sure they are in a safe and secure location or password protected if stored on your computer.

The Seniors Trust is committed to helping protect Social Security and that includes providing important information to seniors on how to prevent Social Security scams. We also want to see Congress pass The Social Security Expansion Act. It will give retirees an immediate benefits increase of about $200 a month, a fair annual COLA, increased minimum benefits, and will ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.