How to Check if Someone is Using Your SSN [Tips]

Your SSN, or Social Security Number, can be breached, especially if you don’t take care of its security and privacy. Some of the worst-case scenarios linked to SSN fraud include criminals opening bank accounts under a fake or someone else’s identity, using newly obtained credit cards for fraudulent transactions, or even accessing medical services and receiving huge loans, putting the businesses and their victims behind in debt. 

Since an SSN contains valuable information that directly describes a person’s identity, including their financial activity and credit history, over the years, it has become an attractive tool and a sweet prize for fraudsters. Each year, billions of dollars in improper payments are made due to SSN fraud. Even though organizations like the Social Security Administration (SSA) issue guidelines on how to protect your SSN, it can still be stolen and used in all sorts of illegal schemes.

In this blog post, we review how fraudsters exploit SSNs, the different types of identity theft associated with SSNs, and the practical steps you can take to check if someone is using your SSN without your knowledge.

What is a Social Security Number (SSN)?

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique nine-digit identifier issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to US citizens and eligible residents, including temporary and working individuals. It’s used to track a person’s earnings, Social Security benefits, and work history. In general, you can find your SSN on documents like bank statements, tax forms, and other financial records. That means all legally working residents in the US have SSNs, which makes it a common piece of information for identification purposes. 

Additionally, businesses and government agencies rely on SSNs for wage reporting, employee onboarding, and as part of Know Your Customer (KYC) and SSN verification procedures in regulated industries such as banking or fintech. For this reason, modern KYC verification processes not only validate to check if the person’s provided SSN is genuine but also verify that it actually belongs to the same person who is presenting it, let’s say, during a loan application process. Once obtained, through theft or data breaches, SSNs are often used to file fraudulent income tax returns in order to claim false refunds.

Why are SSNs Important?

The SSA is responsible for issuing these nine-digit numbers to citizens, including eligible nonimmigrant workers and permanent US residents. SSNs are important because they provide the main benefits for individuals and help government agencies and businesses track all working residents. SSNs are assigned at birth and are later used to help manage financial records throughout a person’s lifetime. 

So, an SSN is required in a variety of situations, such as:

• Filing taxes
• Obtaining employment
• Receiving medical care

Using SSNs, it’s easier to identify people and review their credit history or financial records. This makes SSNs a primary tool for identification and other important tasks in both public and private sectors, such as reporting wages to the government or tracking an individual’s Social Security benefits. At the same time, SSNs are a common target for fraud due to their widespread use and the access they provide. Once stolen, an SSN can be used to steal and link personal records, then gain unauthorized access to services, such as claiming credit cards and making fraudulent charges.

Can Someone Use Your SSN Without You Knowing?

Yes, scammers might steal your SSN using phishing. They might also buy stolen data off the dark web or scrape it from a data breach. Some people do not realize right away that their SSN was compromised, which makes it a leverage for criminals who do the damage. Most people aren’t eligible to change their SSN, which is why, once again, it’s important to detect the red flags and know how to identify signs of suspicious activity. 

If someone steals your SSN, they can use it to:

• Secure employment
• Open bank accounts or obtain credit cards
• Rent property or sign up for utilities
• Receive medical treatment under your name
• File false tax returns and claim refunds
• Create synthetic identities for further crimes

The goal of the criminals when they steal SSNs often includes using this piece of information for a bigger scheme, such as unlawfully collecting retirement or disability benefits they are not eligible for. In general, senior citizens are more vulnerable targets and can fall for even less sophisticated traps. Stolen Social Security numbers are often used in identity theft schemes, allowing criminals to fake someone else’s identity. In such cases, bad actors commit crimes under the victim’s name, sometimes leading to serious, long-term financial harm.

Related: How to Check if Someone Is Using Your Identity?

What Can Scammers Do with Your SSN?

When a bad actor steals your SSN, they commit identity fraud, which takes many forms and can evolve into other forms of criminal activity. 

For example, using stolen SSNs, scammers can:

• Buy or sell SSNs or cards. Both real and fake SSNs are often used to obtain benefits or financial services illegally. 
• Make false statements on a claim. For example, a bad actor can provide inaccurate information on purpose when applying for various benefits.
• Impersonate an SSA employee. Fraudsters target the elderly and pose as SSA officials to steal personal information or money. 
• Bribe an SSA employee. For instance, offer or accept money or other gifts in exchange for SSA services or some sort of personal information.
• Use SSNs for terrorist activity. For example, employ SSNs to support to fund terrorist acts, including money laundering activity or proliferation of weapons.

Professionals working in the Social Security Administration can also misuse their power and breach internal databases with SSN data. However, this sort of insider fraud is rare compared to breaches that happen due to outside threats, such as scammers phishing for SSNs from people. Ultimately, the SSA monitors and investigates various fraud cases linked to SSNs to protect public resources and individuals from breaches.

5 Ways to Check if Someone is Using Your Social Security Number

To protect your identity and keep your SSN safe, it’s best to follow a few standard steps:

1. Monitor All Bank Accounts

If a bad actor stole your SSN, they might access your bank account. A common practice for scammers is to use small amounts and start with transactions that are more low-key before actually switching to big purchases that drain a victim’s account. 

Always make sure to keep an eye on your bank account by:

• Watching out for suspicious charges. Review bank statements to look for unrecognizable transactions that might have been made by another person, no matter if the amount is very small. 
• Reviewing your other accounts. Screen all of your bank accounts, including savings, checking, or credit accounts, to spot the same red flags. 
• Contacting for more details. If you suspect foul play, you should always reach out to your bank and ask for further investigation or clarification on the suspicious charges in your bank account. 

2. Review Earnings in Your Social Security Statement

If your SSN is compromised, scammers can claim employment benefits using your identity. Typically, if this happens, the fraudulent income appears on your Social Security statement, which provides detailed information regarding your benefits and earnings. 

Look out for unauthorized employment or fraudulent benefit claims by:

• Assessing your statement. After creating a Social Security account online, you receive instant access to your statement. There’s also an option to request a paper copy through filing Form SSA-7004. However, this is a longer process that can take at least a few weeks. Creating an account online in your name also prevents scammers from doing that in case your SSN and personal information are breached. 
• Verifying key data. Check important information like your full name, date of birth, listed benefits, and reported earnings. If you notice any suspicious entries and unfamiliar earnings, treat them as a potential sign of fraud. In general, all your earnings, benefits, and taxes should align with your income and employment history. 
• Reporting suspicious activity. Any type of incorrect information on your statement should be reported by contacting the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. You should treat discrepancies as fraud. 

3. Check Your Credit Reports

Since SSNs are required when opening new accounts in financial institutions, for example, before opening a new credit account or taking out a loan, scammers can leave traces in your credit report. It’s vital that you keep a close eye on your credit report to catch any changes and discrepancies that can be tied to fraudulent activity. 

You can spot potential misuse of your SSN by:

• Ordering your credit report. Once a year, you can get a free credit report online via any major credit bureau, such as Experian or Equifax. Alternatively, you can order reports weekly by calling 1-877-322-8228. 
• Review your personal details. Check if your name, SSN, address, and employment information are correct. Any changes in your contact data can be a sign of fraud because scammers change this information to block alerts that should be sent to you in these particular cases. 
• Check your payment history. Pay close attention to atypical transactions, loans, or accounts. In case of fraudulent activity, your credit score can be harmed, so it’s important to dispute suspicious charges immediately. There can also be hard inquiries in your credit report, which happen when a lender checks your report before issuing a new credit card. If that wasn’t you, this might be an unauthorized account opening. 

4. Watch for Notices from the IRS and other Government Agencies

In cases where there’s SSN fraud, government agencies like the IRS or Medicare are responsible for alerting the victim. So, if a bad actor is using your SSN and official authorities suspect unlawful activity, they send out notifications. This happens if a scammer attempts to use an SSN for a fraudulent tax return, government benefits, or similar tactics linked to SSN fraud. 

You can protect your SSN and be cautious by:

• Responding to IRS notices. In cases like this, immediate reaction is vital to protect your SSN and avoid unwanted consequences like letting the bad actor claim your tax refund illegally. The IRS often sends an alert to you first with an official identity theft letter. Alternatively, you can report this sort of crime by calling the IRS at 1-800-908-4490.
• Checking your Medicare account. Once you log in and spot fraudulent claims in your Medicare notice, you need to report the crime. This is possible by filing a complaint through the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (OIG) online or calling Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.

5. Pay Attention to Unexpected Calls or Mail

If your SSN or any important personal data was compromised, there’s a chance you’ll receive a bunch of letters or calls from debt collectors. There are times when fraudsters create synthetic identities and build them using stolen data from multiple sources, which means they can try to hide your address. However, this still often leads to a paper trail, even with generally innocent signs like junk mail or new credit card offers. Try not to ignore them because it can be a true sign of SSN misuse. 

You can prevent such SSN-related identity theft cases by:

• Reviewing received bills or letters. This is especially important in case you receive a bill from the bank for a new account in your name that you didn’t open. Contact the sender to confirm whether the application was submitted using your name and resolve any discrepancies.
• Verifying all alleged debts. Debt collectors are required to provide a written validation notice, as well as details like their company name, mailing address, and information about the debt in question. Situations where there’s missing data potentially signal identity fraud and the misuse of your SSN. 

How to Prevent Someone From Using Your SSN?

If you suspect that someone is using your SSN and it might have been stolen, don’t overthink it and use this gut feeling to act fast. 

A few standard tips can help you manage the damage and protect your identity. Make sure to:

• Freeze your credit. Contact all credit bureaus to prevent new accounts from being opened using your identity.
  Set up your Social Security account. Create a profile and ensure no one else can set it up for fraud before you.
• Contact the police. File a report with the fraud division and bring your FTC affidavit. Law enforcement builds a case and investigates the issue, helping you recover the losses.
• Enable “Self Lock” on your SSN. Go to E-Verify to prevent anyone from using your SSN for employment verification. If a possible misuse of your SSN happens, you’ll be alerted.
• Request an IRS Identity Protection PIN. This is a six-digit code that adds a layer of protection to your tax filings via the IRS online. Make sure to access your account to prevent fraud using your SSN.
• Always be cautious about your SSN. If someone is asking for this data, double-check why your SSN is needed and how it will be used. Remember not to carry your Social Security card in your wallet with you and keep it safely stored at home.
• File an identity theft report with the FTC. Report the fraud, generate an official affidavit, and receive a recovery plan. 

If the misuse of your SSN involves Social Security benefits or other SSN-related fraud, you can report it directly to the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General. This is a specialized option for  SSN-related fraud beyond the scope of the FTC or local police. Use the online website or call 1-800-269-0271.

How SSN Verification Can Help 

Social Security Number or SSN verification is widely used in fraud prevention and regulatory compliance processes by regulated entities, such as banks, to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. Since SSNs are used to commit crimes linked to identity theft and other forms of fraud, a valid SSN helps determine if a person is legitimate. By verifying SSNs, businesses can confirm that the SSN is valid and belongs to the individual performing the KYC verification. 

Since SSNs alone aren’t reliable identifiers, companies use database verification and document verification, other common electronic KYC methods, to complete their SSN verification flow. A common method is the “2+2 approach”, where two personal identifiers (such as name and SSN) are validated against two independent, trusted data sources. From a compliance standpoint, this method also serves as an enhanced due diligence (EDD) measure, ideal for screening high-risk users who require deeper identity checks.

This process is often automated by special verification software, which is also able to check if the SSN hasn’t been forged, reused, or misassigned. For example, with iDenfy’s identity verification solution, companies can automatically collect and verify key identity details, including the user’s SSN. This information is checked against government-issued ID documents (like passports or driver’s licenses) and authoritative databases to confirm consistency and accuracy.

Want to build a custom KYC workflow with SSN verification? We’ve got you covered — try out for free.