Your social security number is a very vital part of your financial life. In the event it is stolen, copied, or obtained by social_security_626_articlesources with ill-intents, you and your finances could be in big trouble. Your social security number is your calling card for many situations. Anyone who has been through college can tell you how often a social security number is giving out – filling out forms for admissions, financial aid, and even class attendance requires your social security number.

But if someone does steal your information, you can be in for a wild ride of filing reports and making sure your credit is in the clear. It can be a long and sometime irreversible process.

There are lots of stories out there about how to protect your credit cards but protecting the other important digits in your life is just as essential. Here are some tips that you need to follow to make sure your identity is protected at all times.

  • Never provide your social security number to a source you can not prove is legitimate. This is especially important if you are asked for the numbers over the phone or online. There are entirely too many scams out there that seem legitimate until you find out you have been ripped off. You have the right to refuse to provide such information to requesters. If they will not cooperate with you, it may be a tip off that the business is not exactly on the up and up. Any business that is legit will understand that you are reluctant to reveal vital information, such as your social security number.
  • There are some states that will use your social security number for identification purposes, such as on your drivers license. Since you show and use your driver’s license in many public capacities, you should request that an alternative identification number be provided. You have a right to make this request from any agency. If the identification card requires your social security number, request that the number is not made visible on the card and only stays in private records.
  • Do not carry your social security card in your wallet or anywhere on your person. If you ever lose your purse or your wallet, anyone would have access to your social security number. This is nearly all the information that is needed to establish credit cards and other accounts in your name. Lose your card and risk facing a vicious cycle of financial disasters on your credit report. Keep your social security card with other important documents such as your birth certificate and other person documents. A locked box is the preferred place for such vital information.
  • If your social security card has been lost or stolen or you suspect it has been used by persons other than yourself, contact your social security office immediately. If you let it go, anything that happens using your number in the meantime might be totally your responsibility.


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