How You Can Protect Your Social Security Number When Applying for a Credit Card
Chances are you’ve been at a store check-out when the cashier has offered you the opportunity to save money by opening a store credit card. Of course, we all know that to apply for credit you will need to provide your Social Security number and that puts you at risk of identity theft.
You should never, ever say your Social Security number out loud to a store employee. An article by Marketplace says, “If a company is offering a card that asks for a Social Security number, it should direct customers to a secure website where they can fill out a credit card application on their own time through a secure website, not at the point of sale.”
Additionally, the article recommends you avoid unsolicited credit card offers, such as those sent by text or email that say you qualify for a card or refer you to a deal from a financial institution, as many are scams. If you do want to pursue an unsolicited offer, do not use the provided link. Rather, you should apply directly on a known website for the financial institution or card issuer.
The Seniors Trust is committed to helping protect Social Security and that includes providing important information to seniors on how to protect your Social Security Number. 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, provide a fair annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), increase minimum benefits, and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.
