Is it safe to share your SSN?
The Social Security Administration protects your Social Security number and keeps your records confidential. We don’t give your number to anyone, except when authorized by law. You should be careful about sharing your number, even when you’re asked for it.
What happens if you share your Social Security number?
No matter how or why it happened, if you give your SSN to someone you suspect might be a scammer—or think that your SSN has been stolen for any other reason—take action quickly. You could become a victim of identity theft. You can also invest in other identity theft protection products.
Can you get someone else’s Social Security?
If you are applying for an SSN on behalf of someone else, you must provide evidence of your authority to sign the application on behalf of the person to whom the card will be issued and evidence of your own identity.
Who should I share my SSN with?
It doesn’t matter if it’s your parents, your brother, or your favorite cousin; there are few reasons why anyone would need your number. One example of a legitimate reason is if a relative names you as the beneficiary on his or her life insurance policy. The insurance company will need your Social Security number.
When should I share my SSN?
When are you required to give your number? There are essentially two situations:
- You are doing something that is reportable to the IRS or your state’s tax department; and/or.
- You are engaged in a financial transaction that is subject to the Customer Identification Program.
When should I share my Social Security number?
When to Provide Your Social Security Number “Provide your Social Security number only when it’s really needed, and don’t be afraid to ask.” If someone requests your Social Security number, offer alternative forms of identification or ask why they want it and how it will be handled.
How do you know if someone is using your Social Security number?
at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338) or go to: www.identitytheft.gov/ To order a copy of your Social Security Administration earnings and benefits statement, or to check whether someone has used your Social Security number to get a job or to avoid paying taxes, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/statement/.
Who can legally ask for your SSN?
Who has the right to request your SSN? Federal law mandates that state Departments of Motor Vehicles, tax authorities, welfare offices, and other governmental agencies request your SS number as proof that you are who you claim to be.
Are there any risks in sharing your Social Security number?
There are risks in sharing your Social Security number by email, text, voicemail, and fax. For example, your SSN could get intercepted and read after you send your information. There are sometimes ways to help keep your information safe — for instance, by using a VPN on an unprotected Wi-Fi network.
When do you have to share your Social Security number?
If you accept a job, your new employer will need a copy of your Social Security card on file, and you’ll be asked to provide your number when opening a bank account or applying for a loan. But although it’s common practice to share your number in certain situations, you don’t have to give your number just because you’re asked to do so.
What can I do with my social security account?
A free and secure my Social Security account provides personalized tools for everyone, whether you receive benefits or not. You can use your account to request a replacement Social Security card, check the status of an application, estimate future benefits, or manage the benefits you already receive.
Can a spouse collect Social Security on their own work record?
You can collect benefits on a spouse’s work record regardless of whether you also worked. If your own retirement benefit is lower than your spousal benefit, Social Security will pay you the higher amount.
