Pérdida del número de la Seguridad Social
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¿Ha perdido o le han robado la tarjeta de la Seguridad Social? Solicitar en línea de forma gratuita para obtener una tarjeta de sustitución.
Report Suspicious Activity Immediately
If you suspect that your SSN or other personal information has been used fraudulently, take action immediately:
- File a report with the FTC: Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report identity theft and create a recovery plan.
- Contact your financial institutions: Notify your bank, credit union, and credit card companies to prevent further unauthorized transactions.
- Place a fraud alert: Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports, which warns creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new accounts.
Educate Yourself and Your Family
Knowledge is your best defense against fraud. Stay informed about the latest scams and fraud tactics, and share this information with your friends and family. The more aware you are of the potential risks, the better equipped you’ll be to avoid falling victim to them.
Key areas to focus on include:
- Common fraud schemes: Learn about different types of scams, such as phishing, smishing, and impostor scams.
- Safe online practices: Teach your family how to create strong passwords, recognize phishing attempts, and safely use the internet.
Child Identity Theft: A Growing Concern
While identity theft is a concern for everyone, children are particularly vulnerable because their personal information can be used for years before the crime is detected. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), child ID theft occurs when someone uses a minor’s personal information, such as their SSN, to commit fraud. A thief might use a child’s information to get a job, government benefits, medical care, utilities, or even apply for a car loan or mortgage. The damage can go unnoticed until the child applies for credit, a job, an apartment, or insurance years later.
Warning Signs of Child Identity Theft - Be alert for these signs that someone might be misusing your child’s personal information:
- Denied Government Benefits: Your child is turned down for government benefits because those benefits are being paid to another account using your child’s SSN.
- IRS Notices: You receive a notice from the IRS stating that your child didn’t pay income taxes, or that their SSN was used on another tax return.
- Collection Calls or Bills: Your child receives collection calls or bills for products or services you didn’t receive.
- Denied Bank Accounts or Licenses: Your child is denied a bank account or driver’s license.
- Credit Card and Loan Offers: Receiving credit card or loan offers addressed to your child could indicate their information has been compromised. While occasional offers may be sent mistakenly, a sudden influx is a red flag.
Protecting Your Child’s Identity
- Monitor for Warning Signs: Keep an eye out for any of the warning signs listed above.
- Freeze Their Credit: Consider placing a credit freeze on your child’s credit report to prevent fraudsters from opening accounts in their name.
- Educate Your Child: Teach your child about the importance of protecting their personal information and being cautious online.
Use Call Blocking and Spam Filtering Features
Many fraudsters rely on phone calls and text messages to carry out their schemes. Protect yourself by using call blocking and spam filtering features provided by your mobile carrier.
These features can:
- Reduce unwanted calls: Block spam and scam calls before they reach you.
- Filter suspicious messages: Prevent potentially harmful text messages from landing in your inbox.
Scenarios of How Fraudsters Could Use Your Stolen SSN
Understanding the different ways fraudsters can exploit your SSN can help you stay vigilant. Here are some common scenarios:
- New Account Fraud: Criminals can use your SSN to open new credit cards, take out loans, or even apply for government benefits in your name. This can severely damage your credit score and leave you responsible for debts you didn’t incur.
- Tax Fraud: With your SSN, a fraudster can file a fraudulent tax return in your name, claiming a refund and causing significant delays and complications with your legitimate tax filing.
- Medical Identity Theft: Using your SSN and other personal details, a criminal can receive medical care in your name, leaving you with hefty bills and incorrect medical records that could affect your future care.
- Employment Fraud: Fraudsters can use your SSN to obtain a job, which can result in erroneous tax liabilities for income you never earned and complications with Social Security benefits.
- Criminal Identity Theft: If a fraudster uses your SSN when arrested for a crime, it could result in a criminal record being created in your name, leading to legal troubles and complications in your personal and professional life.
- Loan Application Fraud: Your SSN can be used to apply for personal, auto, or home loans, leaving you with debt and a damaged credit score.
Do you think someone else is using your Social Security number for work? Review your Social Security work history by creating an account at socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. If you find errors, contact your local SSA office.
- Si una empresa responsable de exponer su información le ofrece un control de crédito gratuito, aprovéchelo.
- Obtenga sus informes de crédito gratuitos con frecuencia en annualcreditreport.com. Compruebe si hay cuentas o cargos que no reconoce.
- Considere la posibilidad de colocar un congelación del crédito. La congelación del crédito hace más difícil que alguien abra una nueva cuenta a su nombre.
- Si congelas el crédito, prepárate para tomar algunas medidas adicionales la próxima vez que solicites una nueva tarjeta de crédito o un teléfono móvil, o cualquier servicio que requiera una comprobación de crédito.
- If you decide not to place a credit freeze, at least consider placing a fraud alert.
- Intente presentar sus impuestos con antelación, antes de que un estafador pueda hacerlo. El robo de identidad fiscal se produce cuando alguien utiliza su número de la Seguridad Social para obtener un reembolso de impuestos o un trabajo. Responda de inmediato a las cartas del IRS.
- No creas a nadie que te llame y te diga que te van a detener si no pagas los impuestos o las deudas, aunque tengan parte o todo tu número de la Seguridad Social o digan que son de Hacienda.
¿Necesita mostrar su tarjeta de la Seguridad Social?
Su tarjeta de la Seguridad Social no es un documento de identificación y, en muchas situaciones, sólo necesita saber su número de la Seguridad Social (no necesita mostrar la tarjeta física).
Pruebas para el trabajo - Se pueden utilizar varios documentos en lugar de la tarjeta de la Seguridad Social. Otras pruebas aceptables son:
- Certificado de nacimiento
- Tarjeta de residente permanente o recibo de registro de extranjeros
- Documento de autorización de empleo
- Formulario I-94 o Formulario I-94A
Para otras prestaciones - No debería necesitar mostrar su tarjeta física de la Seguridad Social para solicitar ciertas prestaciones. Simplemente puede proporcionar su número de la Seguridad Social para prestaciones como:
- Vivienda
- Seguro de salud
- Asistencia alimentaria
Pruebas para el Departamento de Vehículos de Motor o el Permiso de Conducir (REAL ID) - El único estado que requiere que muestre su tarjeta física de la Seguridad Social es Pensilvania. Para todos los demás estados, otras pruebas aceptables incluyen:
- Formularios W-2
- Formulario SSA-1099
- Formularios que no son del tipo SSA-1099
- Recibos de pago
Para fines fiscales - No necesita su tarjeta de la Seguridad Social, sólo necesita saber su número de la Seguridad Social.