What To Do If A Scammer Has Your SSN?
-
By Farrukh Mushtaq
Farrukh Mushtaq
See author profileFarrukh Mushtaq, a digital marketer at PureSquare, possesses a keen interest in cybersecurity and enjoys writing about it. With several years of experience in the digital marketing industry, he brings expertise and passion to his work.
-
21 March 2025
-
12 mins read
Your SSN is a key to your identity, and its compromise can lead to long-term consequences, from financial fraud to identity theft. This guide covers the crucial steps you must take immediately to mitigate the damage and protect yourself from further harm.
What Should You Do If Your SSN Is Hacked?
Once you discover that your Social Security number (SSN) has been compromised, you must take swift action. Here's what you must do:
- Report Identity Theft
File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. This is a vital step, as it creates an official record of identity theft and provides you with a recovery plan.
Contact each of the three major credit bureaus and place a credit freeze or fraud alert on your credit reports.
- Monitor Your Credit Reports
Regularly check your credit reports for any unauthorized activity. If you suspect your SSN has been used for tax fraud, contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you suspect misuse of your SSN related to Social Security benefits, contact the SSA.
- Monitor Financial Accounts
Closely monitor your bank and credit card accounts for any suspicious transactions.
How To Prevent Your SSN From Leaking?
Your SSN is the goldmine for identity thieves, so prevention is key. Avoid sharing it unless it is extremely necessary. Never try to provide your SSN details on a call, which might be a phishing attempt. Legitimate organizations rarely ask for your full SSN this way.
Keep your documents safe. Never enter your SSN on unsecured websites. You must also regularly check your credit reports for any suspicious activity and consider freezing your credit to add an extra layer of protection.
Discover if Your Most Critical Identifiers Have Been Exposed on the Dark Web
Receive timely alerts and actionable insights with PurePrivacy's Dark Web Monitoring.
What Can Scammers Do With My SSN?
When a scammer gets their hands on your Social Security number (SSN), they can use it for financial fraud. Scammers can open new credit card accounts, take out loans, or even apply for a mortgage in your name, leaving you with the debt. Your existing bank account will also be at risk of draining and an unauthorized transfer.
Your SSN could be used for identity theft and help scammers get government benefits, employment, or even a driver's license. They can file fraudulent tax returns too.
Interested reading :
- What To Do If A Scammer Has Your Phone Number
- What to Do If a Scammer Has Your Email Address
- What To Do If A Scammer Has Your Credit Card No
- What To Do If A Scammer Has Your Passport No
How to Find Out If Your SSN Is on the Dark Web?
If your data is on the dark web, it might leave you stressed, but not knowing how your data is shared across the dark web without your knowledge is worse. Many people do not realize that their information was compromised several times before they experienced a large loss.
PureVPN’s dark web monitoring helps track critical identifiers that might have ended up on the dark web so you can take the necessary precautions before your sensitive data is exploited.
How to Enable Dark Web Monitoring on PureVPN
- Install PureVPN on your device or update your existing VPN app.
- Visit the Members Area to get access.
- Go to Dark Web Monitoring from the main menu.
- Select Add Assets to Monitor.
- Add your email address, SSN, credit card number, passport number, and SSN.
- Mention the code sent to your registered number, and you’re done.
7. Take the recommended steps if your data is part of a breach.
8. You can mark the breaches as resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-
What can a scammer do with my SSN?
There is a lot that scammers can do with your SSN. They can open new credit accounts, take out loans, and apply for credit cards. Create a new identity for illegal activities and also obtain government benefits in your name.
-
How do I know if my SSN is being used for fraud?
You must act prudently to know if your SSN or any other data is used without your knowledge. Monitor your credit reports for accounts you do not recognize, look for bills or collection notices for services you didn't use, and check for medical services listed that you did not receive.
-
How can I prevent scammers from getting my SSN?
The first thing you must do is never share your data unless it is necessary. Plus, avoid entering your SSN on unsecured websites, be wary of suspicious emails, calls, or texts requesting your SSN, and regularly check your credit reports for suspicious activity.
-
Can scammers hack my bank account with just the SSN?
Not directly, but leaked SSN increases the risk of it happening. Scammers use SSNs along with other pieces of personal information to try and gain access to accounts, which can be used to pass verification checks.
-
How do I know if my information is on the dark web?
PureVPN’s dark web monitoring continuously tracks your email address, SSN, phone number, and other sensitive data to monitor how vulnerable your privacy on the dark web is.
Final Thoughts
Your SSN is your identity. You must prevent it from going into the hands of cyber criminals before it is too late. Stay vigilant and monitor your data with PureVPN.
