You don't have to be of Social Security age to take this
preventive measure, either.
Karla Bowsher
• September 18, 2019
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For better
or for worse, Social Security numbers have become a defining part of our
identities — and thus a key element of identity theft.
You can
protect yourself with common-sense measures like guarding your nine-digit
identifier closely and knowing the signs of
identity theft. But if you aren’t also protecting your Social
Security account, you are still vulnerable — whether you are a worker or
a retiree.
In
fact, if you don’t safeguard your online mySocialSecurity account, an identity
thief potentially could steal your current or future benefits, as I further
explain below.
In this
regard, safeguarding your mySocialSecurity account is an overlooked but key
step in protecting your Social Security from identity thieves. So, here’s what
you should know about doing just that.
Creating a mySocialSecurity account
The
Social Security Administration (SSA) issues mySocialSecurity accounts through SSA.gov, the federal agency’s
official website.
Having
an account enables you to receive personalized estimates of future benefits,
view your latest Social Security statement and review your earnings record,
for example. You can even request a replacement Social Security card if you
lost yours — no need to visit a local Social Security office and wait in line.
But you
can’t do any of that if an identity thief claims your mySocialSecurity account
before you.
That
right: It’s technically possible for someone who has stolen your personal
information to use it to create a mySocialSecurity account in your name. And
once they have control of your account, they could use it to divert your
benefits to their own bank account instead of yours.
Security changes
that the SSA introduced in 2017 made it more difficult for someone
to hijack your mySocialSecurity account, but it’s still important to create an
account before an identity thief beats you to it.
So,
even if you have yet to start receiving benefits, there’s reason to create an
account and make sure it’s secure.
As the SSA put it
in a blog post after making those security changes:
“Create
your account today and take away the risk of someone else trying to create one
in your name, even if they obtain your Social Security number.”
Also
make sure that your account password is lengthy and unique — not one you use
for any other accounts. If that makes it too difficult for you to remember the
password, consider using a password
manager such as 1Password.
Extra protections for mySocialSecurity accounts
The
Social Security Administration offers a couple of optional ways to add another
layer of security to your mySocialSecurity account.
One
option is referred to as simply “extra security.” It is
offered when you create an account and involves what the SSA describes as an
“upgrade code” that the agency mails to you.
To take
advantage of this extra security, you must provide a piece of financial
information — such as the last eight digits of your credit card number or
information from a tax form — when creating a mySocialSecurity account.
The
financial information is used to further verify your identity. Once you submit
it, the SSA will mail you a letter, which you will need to complete the process
of enabling extra security, according to the agency.
Another
optional measure that adds a layer of security to your mySocialSecurity account
is known as blocking
electronic access.
Somewhat
like a credit freeze,
it is a more extreme measure. In fact, the SSA notes that you might want to
block electronic access if you are a victim of identity theft or domestic
abuse, or if you know your Social Security information has been compromised.
The
agency says of blocking electronic access.
“When
you do this, no one, including you, will be able to see or change your personal
information on the internet or through our automated telephone service.”
To undo
this measure, you must contact the administration, ask for your electronic
access to be unblocked and prove your identity.
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