ssa-gov/blog.ssa.gov/protect-yourself-from-identity-thieves/comment-page-1/index.html

1288 lines
82 KiB
HTML
Raw Blame History

This file contains invisible Unicode characters

This file contains invisible Unicode characters that are indistinguishable to humans but may be processed differently by a computer. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html class="no-js" lang="en-US">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"></meta>
<title>Protect Yourself from Identity Thieves</title>
<style type='text/css'>.hsc-button-hideshow { font-size: 14px !important; }</style><script type="text/javascript">var hsc_hideshow_print = "<p class='hsc-button hsc-button-hideshow hsc-buttonskin-white' style='text-align:left;' ><a class='hsc-link' id='hsc-btn-hideshow' href='javascript:;'><span>Show Comments</span></a></p>";var hsc_show_button_text = 'Show Comments';var hsc_hide_button_text = 'Hide Comments';var comment_identifier = '#comments';var loadmore_identifier = '.hsc-comment-class';var identifier_type = 'auto';var hide_show = true;var load_more = false;var load_more_animation = 'none';var hide_show_animation = 'none';</script><style type='text/css'>.hsc-button-loadmore { font-size: 14px !important; }</style><script type="text/javascript">var hsc_loadmore_print = "<p class='hsc-button hsc-button-loadmore hsc-buttonskin-none' style='text-align:left;' ><a class='hsc-link' id='hsc-btn-loadmore' href='javascript:;'><span>Load More</span></a></p>";var loadmore_load_number = "3";var comment_identifier = '#comments';var loadmore_identifier = '.hsc-comment-class';var identifier_type = 'auto';var hide_show = true;var load_more = false;var load_more_animation = 'none';var hide_show_animation = 'none';</script> <style>img:is([sizes="auto" i], [sizes^="auto," i]) { contain-intrinsic-size: 3000px 1500px }</style>
<!-- The SEO Framework by Sybre Waaijer -->
<meta name="robots" content="noindex,max-snippet:-1,max-image-preview:standard,max-video-preview:-1" />
<meta name="description" content="Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information to impersonate you or steal from you. Did you know the consequences of identity theft are not just&#8230;" />
<meta property="og:type" content="article" />
<meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" />
<meta property="og:site_name" content="SSA" />
<meta property="og:title" content="Protect Yourself from Identity Thieves" />
<meta property="og:description" content="Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information to impersonate you or steal from you. Did you know the consequences of identity theft are not just financial?" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://blog.ssa.gov/protect-yourself-from-identity-thieves/" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Protect-Yourself-from-Identity-Thieves.jpg" />
<meta property="og:image:width" content="400" />
<meta property="og:image:height" content="400" />
<meta property="og:image:alt" content="Couple using a laptop" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Protect-Yourself-from-Identity-Thieves-300x300.jpg" />
<meta property="article:published_time" content="2024-02-08T19:51:14+00:00" />
<meta property="article:modified_time" content="2024-04-18T17:24:50+00:00" />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Protect Yourself from Identity Thieves" />
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information to impersonate you or steal from you. Did you know the consequences of identity theft are not just financial?" />
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Protect-Yourself-from-Identity-Thieves.jpg" />
<meta name="twitter:image:alt" content="Couple using a laptop" />
<script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://blog.ssa.gov/#/schema/WebSite","url":"https://blog.ssa.gov/","name":"SSA","description":"The Official Blog of Social Security","inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://blog.ssa.gov/search/{search_term_string}/"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://blog.ssa.gov/#/schema/Organization","name":"SSA","url":"https://blog.ssa.gov/"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://blog.ssa.gov/protect-yourself-from-identity-thieves/","url":"https://blog.ssa.gov/protect-yourself-from-identity-thieves/","name":"Protect Yourself from Identity Thieves","description":"Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information to impersonate you or steal from you. Did you know the consequences of identity theft are not just&#8230;","inLanguage":"en-US","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://blog.ssa.gov/#/schema/WebSite"},"breadcrumb":{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://blog.ssa.gov/#/schema/BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":"https://blog.ssa.gov/","name":"SSA"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":"https://blog.ssa.gov/category/fraud-2/","name":"Category: Frauds &amp; Scams"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Protect Yourself from Identity Thieves"}]},"potentialAction":{"@type":"ReadAction","target":"https://blog.ssa.gov/protect-yourself-from-identity-thieves/"},"datePublished":"2024-02-08T19:51:14+00:00","dateModified":"2024-04-18T17:24:50+00:00","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://blog.ssa.gov/#/schema/Person/f72c336eb67f2d3b11eb6aa56f34a564","name":"Mark Majestic, Associate Commissioner, Office of Program Integrity"}}]}</script>
<!-- / The SEO Framework by Sybre Waaijer | 8.17ms meta | 0.19ms boot -->
<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//blog.ssa.gov' />
<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//fonts.googleapis.com' />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Social Security Matters &raquo; Feed" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/feed/" />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Social Security Matters &raquo; Comments Feed" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/comments/feed/" />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Social Security Matters &raquo; Protect Yourself from Identity Thieves Comments Feed" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/protect-yourself-from-identity-thieves/feed/" />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css?ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' />
<style id='co-authors-plus-coauthors-style-inline-css' type='text/css'>
.wp-block-co-authors-plus-coauthors.is-layout-flow [class*=wp-block-co-authors-plus]{display:inline}
</style>
<style id='co-authors-plus-avatar-style-inline-css' type='text/css'>
.wp-block-co-authors-plus-avatar :where(img){height:auto;max-width:100%;vertical-align:bottom}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-coauthors.is-layout-flow .wp-block-co-authors-plus-avatar :where(img){vertical-align:middle}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-avatar:is(.alignleft,.alignright){display:table}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-avatar.aligncenter{display:table;margin-inline:auto}
</style>
<style id='co-authors-plus-image-style-inline-css' type='text/css'>
.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image{margin-bottom:0}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image :where(img){height:auto;max-width:100%;vertical-align:bottom}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-coauthors.is-layout-flow .wp-block-co-authors-plus-image :where(img){vertical-align:middle}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image:is(.alignfull,.alignwide) :where(img){width:100%}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image:is(.alignleft,.alignright){display:table}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image.aligncenter{display:table;margin-inline:auto}
</style>
<style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'>
/*! This file is auto-generated */
.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}
</style>
<style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'>
:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}
:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}
:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}
:root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;}
</style>
<link rel='stylesheet' id='ppress-frontend-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/css/frontend.min.css?ver=4.15.22' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='ppress-flatpickr-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/flatpickr/flatpickr.min.css?ver=4.15.22' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='ppress-select2-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/select2/select2.min.css?ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='daexthefu-google-font-css' href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter%3Awght%40400%3B500%3B600&#038;ver=1.13#038;display=swap' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='daexthefu-general-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/daext-helpful/public/assets/css/general.css?ver=1.13' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='daexthefu-custom-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/daexthefu_uploads/custom-1.css?ver=1.13' type='text/css' media='all' />
<style id='akismet-widget-style-inline-css' type='text/css'>
.a-stats {
--akismet-color-mid-green: #357b49;
--akismet-color-white: #fff;
--akismet-color-light-grey: #f6f7f7;
max-width: 350px;
width: auto;
}
.a-stats * {
all: unset;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.a-stats strong {
font-weight: 600;
}
.a-stats a.a-stats__link,
.a-stats a.a-stats__link:visited,
.a-stats a.a-stats__link:active {
background: var(--akismet-color-mid-green);
border: none;
box-shadow: none;
border-radius: 8px;
color: var(--akismet-color-white);
cursor: pointer;
display: block;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', 'Roboto', 'Oxygen-Sans', 'Ubuntu', 'Cantarell', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;
font-weight: 500;
padding: 12px;
text-align: center;
text-decoration: none;
transition: all 0.2s ease;
}
/* Extra specificity to deal with TwentyTwentyOne focus style */
.widget .a-stats a.a-stats__link:focus {
background: var(--akismet-color-mid-green);
color: var(--akismet-color-white);
text-decoration: none;
}
.a-stats a.a-stats__link:hover {
filter: brightness(110%);
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06), 0 0 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.16);
}
.a-stats .count {
color: var(--akismet-color-white);
display: block;
font-size: 1.5em;
line-height: 1.4;
padding: 0 13px;
white-space: nowrap;
}
</style>
<link rel='stylesheet' id='hsc-css-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/hide-show-comment/assets/css/hsc.css?ver=1.1.5' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='hsc-button-skinhide-show-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/hide-show-comment/assets/buttons/hsc-buttonskin-white.css?ver=1.1.5' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='hsc-button-skinload-more-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/hide-show-comment/assets/buttons/hsc-buttonskin-none.css?ver=1.1.5' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='site-css-css' href='https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/styles/theme-styles.css?ver=1737043088' type='text/css' media='all' />
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js?ver=3.7.1" id="jquery-core-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.min.js?ver=3.4.1" id="jquery-migrate-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/flatpickr/flatpickr.min.js?ver=4.15.22" id="ppress-flatpickr-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/select2/select2.min.js?ver=4.15.22" id="ppress-select2-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/hide-show-comment/assets/js/hsc.js?ver=1.1.5" id="hsc-js-js"></script>
<link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/7878" /><link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.ssa.gov%2Fprotect-yourself-from-identity-thieves%2F" />
<link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.ssa.gov%2Fprotect-yourself-from-identity-thieves%2F&#038;format=xml" />
<style type="text/css">
ul.scfw_16px li, ul.scfw_24px li, ul.scfw_32px li, ul.scfw_16px li a, ul.scfw_24px li a, ul.scfw_32px li a {
display:inline !important;
float:none !important;
border:0 !important;
background:transparent none !important;
margin:0 !important;
padding:0 !important;
}
ul.scfw_16px li {
margin:0 2px 0 0 !important;
}
ul.scfw_24px li {
margin:0 3px 0 0 !important;
}
ul.scfw_32px li {
margin:0 5px 0 0 !important;
}
ul.scfw_text_img li:before, ul.scfw_16px li:before, ul.scfw_24px li:before, ul.scfw_32px li:before {
content:none !important;
}
.scfw img {
float:none !important;
}
</style>
<style type="text/css" id="wp-custom-css">
.attachment-singleFeatured {
margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
}
.archive-thumb {margin-bottom: 3rem !important;
}
.no-comments {
margin-top: 1.25rem;
}
.category-list {
color: #b9e6fa;
}
.comment-author time {
color: #212121;
}
.red-text{
color: #ed0202;
}
input, select, textarea{
color: #212121;
}
input:focus, textarea:focus {
color: #212121;
}
.georgia {
font-family: 'Georgia' !important
}
/** POPUP JS mySocSec button**/
#scopedByScopedPolyfill_1 #prefix-button2 {
font-family: georgia;
}
.generic-content h2 {
font-size: 1.6rem;
font-weight: bold;
margin: 0 0 .75rem;
}
.generic-content h3 {
font-size: 1.25rem;
font-style: italic;
margin: 0 0 .25rem;
}
.bsf-rt-reading-time {
color: #3C763D;
display: block;
margin-bottom: 20px;
font-size: .8rem;
}
.generic-content .bsf-rt-reading-time {
display: none;
}
/* @media screen and (max-width: 422px) {
img.alignleft.mobile-wrap {
margin-left: 1.8em;
margin-right: 1.8em;
}
} */
@media screen and (max-width: 422px) {
img.alignleft {
min-width: 100%;
}
}
@media screen and (max-width: 422px) {
img.alignright {
min-width: 100%;
}
}
.daexthefu-container {
background-color: #a7d2f2;
}
.daexthefu-container .daexthefu-buttons {
margin-top: auto;
margin-bottom: auto;
}
@media screen and (max-width: 422px) {
.daexthefu-container .daexthefu-title {
font-size: 16px !important;
line-height: inherit !important;
}
.daexthefu-container .daexthefu-buttons {
margin-top: auto;
margin-bottom: auto;
}
}
html:lang(es) {
@media screen and (min-width: 65em) {
.site-header .menu-item a {
font-size: .7rem;
}
}
}
</style>
<link rel="pingback" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/xmlrpc.php">
</head>
<body class="post-template-default single single-post postid-7878 single-format-standard">
<!-- Google Tag Manager -->
<script>
(function (w, d, s, l, i) {
w[l] = w[l] || [];
w[l].push({
'gtm.start':
new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js'
});
var f = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
j = d.createElement(s), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? '&l=' + l : '';
j.async = true;
j.src =
'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl;
f.parentNode.insertBefore(j, f);
})(window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-5GQXH7Q');
</script>
<!-- End Google Tag Manager -->
<!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->
<noscript>
<iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5GQXH7Q"
height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe>
</noscript>
<!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->
<aside class="accessibility" id="accessibility"><a href="#main-content-area" target="_self" id="skip-navigation">Skip to content</a></aside>
<header class="ae-lang-en ae-launcher bg-logo white site-header" id="banner" role="banner">
<section class="usa-banner">
<div class="usa-banner">
<div class="usa-accordion">
<header class="usa-banner__header">
<div class="usa-banner__inner wrapper">
<div class="grid-col-auto">
<img class="usa-banner__header-flag" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/us_flag_small.png" alt="U.S. flag">
</div>
<div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto">
<p class="usa-banner__header-text">An official website of the United States government</p>
</div>
<button class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner-default">
<span class="usa-banner__button-text">Here's how you know</span>
</button>
</div>
</header>
<div class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content" id="gov-banner-default" hidden="">
<div class="wrapper">
<div class="usa-banner__guidance grid-col-6">
<img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/icon-dot-gov.svg" role="img" alt="" aria-hidden="true">
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
<p>
<strong>Official websites use .gov</strong>
<br>A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. </p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="usa-banner__guidance grid-col-6">
<img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/icon-https.svg" role="img" alt="" aria-hidden="true">
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
<p>
<strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong>
<br>A lock ( <span class="icon-lock">
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-title-default banner-lock-description-default" focusable="false">
<title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title>
<desc id="banner-lock-description-default">A locked padlock</desc>
<path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z"></path>
</svg>
</span> ) or <strong>https://</strong> means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<div class="fx fx-jc-sb px2 py0 wrapper header-container" id="header_area">
<h1 class="fs2 fw4 ma0 l-fs3 site-logo">
<a class="fx fx-ai-c hover-yellow py3 white m-py2" href="https://blog.ssa.gov">
<div class="ml3 svg3 m-svg5 ae-img"
style="background-image: url(https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/logo.svg);background-size: contain;"
role="presentation"
></div>
<span class="pl1 m-pl2" style="line-height: 1;">Social Security <br>Matters</span>
</a>
</h1>
<a class="l-dn fx fx-ai-c hover-yellow px2 white" href="#" id="mobileMenuToggle" title="Menu">
<svg class="svg1" focusable="false" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
<path
d="M3 5h18q.414.0.707.293T22 6t-.293.707T21 7H3q-.414.0-.707-.293T2 6t.293-.707T3 5zm0 12h18q.414.0.707.293T22 18t-.293.707T21 19H3q-.414.0-.707-.293T2 18t.293-.707T3 17zm0-6h18q.414.0.707.293T22 12t-.293.707T21 13H3q-.414.0-.707-.293T2 12t.293-.707T3 11z"
vector-effect="non-scaling-stroke"></path>
</svg>
<span class="m-dib fs1 pl1">Menu</span>
</a>
<nav class="main-navigation-wrapper">
<ul class="main-navigation-list">
<li id="menu-item-256" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-home menu-item-256"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/">Home</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-257" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-257"><a href="https://www.ssa.gov/?utm_source=ssmatters&#038;utm_medium=blog-header&#038;utm_campaign=blog-to-ssa-homepage">SSA.gov</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-259" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-259"><a href="https://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices/?utm_source=ssmatters&#038;utm_medium=blog-header&#038;utm_campaign=blog-to-onlineservices">Online Services</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-261" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-261"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/comment-policy/">Comment Policy</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-9556-es" class="lang-item lang-item-1343 lang-item-es no-translation lang-item-first menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-9556-es"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/es/" hreflang="es-ES" lang="es-ES"><span style="margin-left:0.3em;">Español</span></a></li>
<li class="menu-item search-item">
<a class="hover-yellow white search-button" href="#" id="header_search_trigger" title="Search">
<svg class="svg1" focusable="false" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
<path
d="M14.182.0q-1.994.0-3.814.78t-3.132 2.092-2.092 3.132-.78 3.814q0 1.713.558 3.281t1.59 2.847l-6.196 6.187q-.315.315-.315.776.0.469.311.78t.78.311q.46.0.776-.315l6.187-6.196q1.278 1.031 2.847 1.59t3.281.558q1.994.0 3.814-.78t3.132-2.092 2.092-3.132.78-3.814-.78-3.814-2.092-3.132-3.132-2.092-3.814-.78zm0 2.182q1.551.0 2.966.605t2.438 1.628 1.628 2.438.605 2.966-.605 2.966-1.628 2.438-2.438 1.628-2.966.605-2.966-.605-2.438-1.628-1.628-2.438-.605-2.966.605-2.966 1.628-2.438 2.438-1.628 2.966-.605z"
vector-effect="non-scaling-stroke"></path>
</svg>
Search </a>
<div id="header_search"
class="header-search-form-container"
itemscope
itemtype="http://schema.org/WebSite"
role="dialog"
aria-label="Search">
<form role="search" id="searchform" class="header-search-form" method="get"
action="https://blog.ssa.gov/">
<meta itemprop="target" content="https://blog.ssa.gov/?s={s}"/>
<label for="header_desktop_search_field" class="screen-reader-text">
Search for: </label>
<input itemprop="query-input" type="search" id="header_desktop_search_field"
class="search-field"
value=""
placeholder="Search..."
name="s"/>
<button class="search-submit" type="submit"
value="Search">
<span class="icon search-white"></span>
<span>Search</span>
</button>
<a href="#" id="header_desktop_search_close" class="header-search-close-button">Close Search Bar</a>
</form>
</div>
</li>
<li class="menu-item my-ssa-item">
<a class="btn my-ssa-btn" href="https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/?utm_source=ssmatters&utm_medium=blog-header&utm_campaign=blog-to-myaccount/"><em>my</em> Social Security</a>
</li>
</ul>
</nav>
</div>
</header>
<section class="wrapper">
<a id="main-content-area"></a>
<span class="fs1 fw5 bg-blue-100 hover-teal py1 px2">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/fraud-2/" rel="category tag">Frauds &amp; Scams</a>, <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/privacy-identity/" rel="category tag">Privacy &amp; Identity</a> </span>
<main class="grid content">
<article id="main-content-area" class="cell w-100 l-w-70 post-container">
<h1 class="m-fs4 fw7 mt2 mb2 headline">Protect Yourself from Identity Thieves</h1>
<p class="fs1 mb2 gray-lighter bc-gray metabox">February 8, 2024 •
By <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/author/59830730de43cf08b29a2c152c5aeba1032ad124/" title="Posts by Mark Majestic, Associate Commissioner, Office of Program Integrity" class="author url fn" rel="author">Mark Majestic, Associate Commissioner, Office of Program Integrity</a> </p>
<span class="bsf-rt-reading-time fs1">
Reading Time: 2 Minutes </span>
<p class="fs1 bb bc-gray pb3"><strong><em>Last Updated:&nbsp;April 18, 2024</em></strong></p>
<div class="mt4 generic-content">
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-7879" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Protect-Yourself-from-Identity-Thieves-300x300.jpg" alt="Couple reviewing financial information on a laptop" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Protect-Yourself-from-Identity-Thieves-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Protect-Yourself-from-Identity-Thieves-125x125.jpg 125w, https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Protect-Yourself-from-Identity-Thieves.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information to impersonate you or steal from you.</p>
<p>Did you know the consequences of identity theft are not just financial?</p>
<p>These crimes have significant effects on relationships at work and home.</p>
<p>They impact physical, mental, and emotional health and lead to lost opportunities for victims that are often hard to measure.</p>
<h2><strong>Types of Identity Theft</strong></h2>
<p>There are 2 types of identity theft you should be aware of:</p>
<ul>
<li>Thieves stealing your data, physically or digitally, without contacting you directly.</li>
<li>Thieves contacting you directly and convincing you to provide sensitive information. In these instances, you may never know how the thief got your information.</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>How Identity Thieves Use Your Information</strong></h2>
<p>Identity thieves steal personal information like your name, address, credit card or bank account numbers, Social Security number (SSN), and medical insurance account numbers. They use this information to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Buy items with your credit cards or bank accounts.</li>
<li>Obtain new credit cards or accounts in your name.</li>
<li>Use your SSN to get a job.</li>
<li>Open phone or utility accounts in your name.</li>
<li>Steal your tax refund.</li>
<li>Use your health insurance to obtain medical care.</li>
<li>Pretend to be you if they are arrested.</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>How to Spot Identity Theft</strong></h2>
<p>To spot identity theft:</p>
<ul>
<li>Keep track of your mail for missing bills or other documents.</li>
<li>Review your credit card and bank statements for unauthorized transactions.</li>
<li>Obtain and review your credit reports regularly to make sure they do not include accounts you have not opened.</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Ways to Prevent Identity Theft</strong></h2>
<p>While no plan is perfect, taking the precautions below can help you better protect your personal information:</p>
<ul>
<li>Protect documents that have personal information.</li>
<li>Ask questions before giving out your SSN.</li>
<li>Protect your personal information online and on your phone by using a strong password and adding multi-factor authentication when offered.</li>
<li>Safeguard your information on social networks.</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>What to Do if You Believe Someone Has Stolen Your Identity</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>Report fraud to the company where it occurred.</li>
<li>Contact a credit bureau to place a fraud alert on your credit report.</li>
<li>File a complaint with the <a href="https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/">Federal Trade Commission</a>.</li>
<li>File a police report.</li>
</ul>
<p>For more information about how to protect your SSN from identity thieves, read our publication, <em><a href="https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10064.pdf">Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number</a></em>.  Please report suspected Social Security imposter scams — and other Social Security fraud — on the <a href="http://oig.ssa.gov/report">OIGs website</a>.</p>
<p>Its important to protect yourself against identity theft because it can damage your credit status. Repairing this damage can cost you a great deal of time and money.</p>
<p>Please share this information with your family and friends.</p>
<div id="daexthefu-container"
class="daexthefu-container daexthefu-layout-side-by-side daexthefu-alignment-left"
data-post-id="7878">
<div class="daexthefu-feedback">
<div class="daexthefu-text">
<h3 class="daexthefu-title">Did you find this Information helpful?</h3>
</div>
<div class="daexthefu-buttons-container">
<div class="daexthefu-buttons">
<div class="daexthefu-yes daexthefu-button daexthefu-button-type-text" data-value="1">
<div class="daexthefu-button-text">Yes</div>
</div>
<div class="daexthefu-no daexthefu-button daexthefu-button-type-text" data-value="0">
<div class="daexthefu-button-text">No</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="daexthefu-comment">
<div class="daexthefu-comment-top-container">
<label id="daexthefu-comment-label" class="daexthefu-comment-label"></label>
<div class="daexthefu-comment-character-counter-container">
<div id="daexthefu-comment-character-counter-number"
class="daexthefu-comment-character-counter-number"></div>
<div class="daexthefu-comment-character-counter-text"></div>
</div>
</div>
<textarea id="daexthefu-comment-textarea" class="daexthefu-comment-textarea"
placeholder=""
maxlength="
400 "></textarea>
<div class="daexthefu-comment-buttons-container">
<button class="daexthefu-comment-submit daexthefu-button"></button>
<button class="daexthefu-comment-cancel daexthefu-button"></button>
</div>
</div>
<div class="daexthefu-successful-submission-text">Thanks for your feedback!</div>
</div>
<a class="btn px3" href="#comments-anchor">See Comments</a>
</div>
<h2 class="fs2 fw6 mb0 mt4">About the Author</h2>
<div class="mt4 related-posts-area">
<h2 class="fs4 fw3 gray">Related Articles</h2>
<div class="grid">
<div class="cell w-100 m-w-50 mb3 related-post">
<div class="fl mr3 bs2 related-post-image"
style="background-image: url(https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Protecting-whats-Important-to-You-125x125.jpg);"></div>
<div class="mt2">
<span class=" category-list fs1 fw5 bg-logo py1 px2 category-label">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/fraud-2/" rel="category tag">Frauds &amp; Scams</a> </span>
<h2 class="fs2 fw6 headline mt2 mb2">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/protecting-whats-important-to-you/">
Protecting Whats Important to You </a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="cell w-100 m-w-50 mb3 related-post">
<div class="fl mr3 bs2 related-post-image"
style="background-image: url(https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/oigssafraud-125x125.jpg);"></div>
<div class="mt2">
<span class=" category-list fs1 fw5 bg-logo py1 px2 category-label">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/fraud-2/" rel="category tag">Frauds &amp; Scams</a> </span>
<h2 class="fs2 fw6 headline mt2 mb2">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/dont-fall-back-into-scams-this-season/">
Dont “Fall Back” Into Scams This Season </a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="cell w-100 m-w-50 mb3 related-post">
<div class="fl mr3 bs2 related-post-image"
style="background-image: url(https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Smart-phone-fraud-125x125.png);"></div>
<div class="mt2">
<span class=" category-list fs1 fw5 bg-logo py1 px2 category-label">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/fraud-2/" rel="category tag">Frauds &amp; Scams</a> <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/privacy-identity/" rel="category tag">Privacy &amp; Identity</a> </span>
<h2 class="fs2 fw6 headline mt2 mb2">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/protecting-yourself-from-qr-code-fraud/">
Protecting Yourself from QR Code Fraud </a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="cell w-100 m-w-50 mb3 related-post">
<div class="fl mr3 bs2 related-post-image"
style="background-image: url(https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Dont-Be-Misled-by-False-Medicare-or-Social-Security-Ads-125x125.jpg);"></div>
<div class="mt2">
<span class=" category-list fs1 fw5 bg-logo py1 px2 category-label">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/fraud-2/" rel="category tag">Frauds &amp; Scams</a> <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/medicare/" rel="category tag">Medicare</a> </span>
<h2 class="fs2 fw6 headline mt2 mb2">
<a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/dont-be-misled-by-false-medicare-or-social-security-ads/">
Dont Be Misled by False Medicare or Social Security Ads </a>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<a name="comments-anchor"></a>
<div id="comments" class="mt4 comments-area">
<h2 class="fs4 fw3 gray">Comments</h2>
<ol class="comment-list">
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-796082">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Liz</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 12, 2024 5:04PM">
February 12, 2024 5:04PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>My local Social Security Office is so rude. They demanded my personal information and hung up on me several times. It&#8217;s so difficult accessing benefits when you have to interact with people who purposely confuse you. The yelling was unnecessary. I&#8217;ve experienced delays with my application. I worry about working with them in the final steps of my claim. I hope they aren&#8217;t practicing identity theft.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
<ul class="children">
<li class="comment-box bg-gray-100 ba bc-gray pa3 mt4 mb3" id="comment-796367">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<img alt="" class="mt0 br-100" width="60px" height="60px"
src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/logo.jpg"/>
<div class="mt3 ml3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">S.D.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 16, 2024 11:53AM">
February 16, 2024 11:53AM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>Were sorry about your experience, Liz. When you call Social Security, we ask questions to verify your identity to make sure we disclose information to the right person. This is for your protection. We encourage you to continue to work with your local <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/locator" rel="nofollow ugc">Social Security office</a>. You can ask to speak with a supervisor on your next call or visit. To check the status of your application, you can use your personal <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/apply/check-application-or-appeal-status" rel="nofollow ugc">my Social Security account</a> or our <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/phone.html" rel="nofollow ugc">automated telephone services</a> that are available 24 hours a day. Call us at 1-800-772-1213 and, at the prompt, respond “application status.” For more information, visit our <a href="https://faq.ssa.gov/en-US/Topic/article/KA-01729" rel="nofollow ugc">Frequently Asked Questions</a>. We hope this is resolved soon. </p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
</ul><!-- .children -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-796072">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">StarrLa'diamond L.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 12, 2024 3:39PM">
February 12, 2024 3:39PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>If you received information about your information on the black web. What are you to do.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-796031">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Christopher s.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 11, 2024 9:28PM">
February 11, 2024 9:28PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>I been having problem with people getting on the website trying to get a social security number been getting my social security check they have all the post office miss up I been having this problem since I been out of prison I need help I knew my social security check are pending there some how they getting Money from me.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
<ul class="children">
<li class="comment-box bg-gray-100 ba bc-gray pa3 mt4 mb3" id="comment-796303">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<img alt="" class="mt0 br-100" width="60px" height="60px"
src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/logo.jpg"/>
<div class="mt3 ml3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">S.D.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 15, 2024 4:55PM">
February 15, 2024 4:55PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin: .1in 0in .1in 0in;"><span style="mso-ligatures: none;">We&rsquo;re sorry to hear about your situation, Christopher. <span style="color: black;">For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to contact your local <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/locator" rel="nofollow ugc">Social Security office</a> or call </span>us at <span style="color: #2c3338;">1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday</span>, <span style="color: #2c3338;">between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m</span>. <span style="color: #212121; letter-spacing: .15pt;">Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #2c3338;">We hope this is resolved soon.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
</ul><!-- .children -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-796011">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">azire</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 11, 2024 1:43PM">
February 11, 2024 1:43PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>Notice there&#8217;s no mention of any penalties or payment of costs of identity theft damage/injuries for any corporation or gov&#8217;t agency whose security isn&#8217;t up to date or much good&#8211;if they get hacked/security breached and your confidential data is hacked. Or that you can&#8217;t choose to have your new driver&#8217;s license or ID card sent by certified mail or priority or over night Fedex and so it&#8217;s just too bad if your new license is lost by the USPS and you can&#8217;t even try to track it. I&#8217;m tired of hearing how it&#8217;s my responsibility to protect my data, when I have so little control over how my &#8220;data&#8221; is handled by corporations, gov&#8217;t agencies, etc, and too many of them are clearly not taking adequate precautions</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-795982">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Fattima</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 10, 2024 8:56PM">
February 10, 2024 8:56PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>If I feel robbed My Social Security n<br />
Number and I filed a complaint with the Social Security Administration. Is it possible to extract a new security number other than the stolen one? I think this is the solution and I hope you can answer it.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
<ul class="children">
<li class="comment-box bg-gray-100 ba bc-gray pa3 mt4 mb3" id="comment-796297">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<img alt="" class="mt0 br-100" width="60px" height="60px"
src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/logo.jpg"/>
<div class="mt3 ml3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">S.D.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 15, 2024 3:57PM">
February 15, 2024 3:57PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-ligatures: none;">Hi, Fattima. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. There are only a few circumstances in which we would assign a different Social Security number. For more information, visit our <a title="FAQ - SSN" href="https://faq.ssa.gov/en-US/Topic/article/KA-02220" rel="nofollow ugc">Frequently Asked Questions</a>. If you suspect fraud, check out our <a title="Fraud Prevention and Reporting webpage" href="https://www.ssa.gov/fraud/" rel="nofollow ugc">fraud prevention and reporting</a> webpage. We hope this helps.&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
</ul><!-- .children -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-795977">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Sherena H.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 10, 2024 5:03PM">
February 10, 2024 5:03PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>Feb.3,2024</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-795846">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">MAS</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 8, 2024 3:46PM">
February 8, 2024 3:46PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>2023 My ID and all my personal information was hacked through a Benefit vendor. As soon as I was informed I placed reports including DMV State Attorney etc.,2 months later I received a traffic violation and that helped me to find that there is a person with same name and surname, the difference was our middle name, I use mine ALWAYS also I double check my accounts monthly. Btw person was not the hacker.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-795844">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Beatrice M.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 8, 2024 3:40PM">
February 8, 2024 3:40PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>I have been a victim of scheduled fraud and abuse from all situations especially at work. Stollen ID, SSN, Passport, Drivers license and education certificates and used last pass to break into my computer and coded all my pictures, emails and documents etc. I was even threatened to shut my fucking mouth or else they will shut it up forever for me. The person used the name Donald Wayne, Kevin,Thompson , Stanley Thompson, under Core Market Options Inc. They collected credit in my name, etc . Even after reporting, these guys still have an upper hand and I dont know how especially when law is there to protect. I am very helpless.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-795843">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Barb T.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 8, 2024 3:34PM">
February 8, 2024 3:34PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>Filing that police report is very important. Any time someone uses your information (credit card) to buy something they are in fact stealing from you. It is theft.</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
<li class="my4 comment-box pa3" id="comment-795842">
<div class="comment-author fx fx-ai-c mt0">
<div class="mt3">
<h3 class="fs2 fw6 mb0">Bill F.</h3>
<p class="fs1 gray-lighter mt0">
<time datetime="February 8, 2024 3:31PM">
February 8, 2024 3:31PM </time>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="fs1 comment-body">
<p>One very important thing to do that surprisingly wasn&#8217;t mentioned in the blog is to place a freeze on your file at all three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian).</p>
</div>
<!-- </li> is added by WordPress automatically -->
</li><!-- #comment-## -->
</ol>
<nav class="navigation comments-pagination" aria-label="Comments pagination">
<h2 class="screen-reader-text">Comments pagination</h2>
<div class="nav-links"><span aria-current="page" class="page-numbers current">1</span>
<a class="page-numbers" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/protect-yourself-from-identity-thieves/comment-page-2/#comments">2</a>
<a class="next page-numbers" href="https://blog.ssa.gov/protect-yourself-from-identity-thieves/comment-page-2/#comments">Next &raquo;</a></div>
</nav> <p class="no-comments">Comments are closed.</p>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
/**
* is_email function from WordPress
* written in Javascript
*
* by Louy Alakkad <me@l0uy.com>
*
* Verifies that an email is valid.
*
* Does not grok i18n domains. Not RFC compliant.
*
* @param string $email Email address to verify.
* @return string|bool Either false or the valid email address.
*/
function is_email( $email ) {
// Test for the minimum length the email can be
if ( $email.length < 3 ) {
return false;
}
// Test for a single @ character after the first position
if ( $email.indexOf('@') === -1 || $email.indexOf('@') !== $email.lastIndexOf('@') ) {
return false;
}
// Split out the local and domain parts
var parts = $email.split('@',2);
var $local = parts[0], $domain = parts[1];
// LOCAL PART
// Test for invalid characters
if ( !/^[a-zA-Z0-9!#$%&\'*+\/=?^_`{|}~\.-]+$/.test($local) ) {
return false;
}
// DOMAIN PART
// Test for sequences of periods
if ( /\.{2,}/.test($domain) ) {
return false;
}
// Test for leading and trailing periods and whitespace
if ( str_trim( $domain, " \t\n\r\0\x0B." ) !== $domain ) {
return false;
}
// Split the domain into subs
var $subs = $domain.split( '.' );
// Assume the domain will have at least two subs
if ( 2 > $subs.length ) {
return false;
}
// Loop through each sub
for ( i in $subs ) {
var $sub = $subs[i];
// Test for leading and trailing hyphens and whitespace
if ( str_trim( $sub, " \t\n\r\0\x0B-" ) !== $sub ) {
return false;
}
// Test for invalid characters
if ( !/^[a-z0-9-]+$/i.test( $sub ) ) {
return false;
}
}
// Congratulations your email made it!
return $email;
function str_trim(str, regex) {
var chr = regex.replace(/[\-\[\]\/\{\}\(\)\*\+\?\.\\\^\$\|\:\!\,\=]/g, "\\$&");
return str.replace( new RegExp('/^['+chr+']*/'), '' ).replace( new RegExp('/['+chr+']*$/'), '' );
}
}
function input_is_empty(input) {
return !(input.value.trim().length);
}
function select_input_element(event, id) {
var element = document.getElementById(id);
element.scrollIntoView({"behavior": "smooth", "block": "center"});
element.focus();
element.click();
event.preventDefault();
}
function down_check_spacebar(event) {
if( event.keyCode == 32 ){
event.preventDefault();
};
}
function check_spacebar(event, id) {
if( event.keyCode == 32 ){
select_input_element(event, id);
};
}
function validate_comment_form(event) {
var author = document.getElementById("author");
if( author !== null && input_is_empty(author) ) {
var error_text = document.getElementById("comment_form_error");
var element_link = '<a role="button" href="javascript:void();" onkeydown="down_check_spacebar(event);" onkeyup="check_spacebar(event, \'author\');" onclick="select_input_element(event, \'author\');">Select Field</a>';
error_text.innerHTML = "<strong>Error</strong>: Please provide a name. " + element_link;
error_text.style.display = "block";
error_text.scrollIntoView({"behavior": "smooth", "block": "center"});
error_text.focus();
error_text.click();
event.preventDefault();
return false;
}
var email = document.getElementById("email");
if( email !== null && (input_is_empty(email) || !is_email(email.value)) ) {
var error_text = document.getElementById("comment_form_error");
var element_link = '<a role="button" href="javascript:void();" onkeydown="down_check_spacebar(event);" onkeyup="check_spacebar(event, \'email\');" onclick="select_input_element(event, \'email\');">Select Field</a>';
error_text.innerHTML = "<strong>Error</strong>: Please provide a valid email address. " + element_link;
error_text.style.display = "block";
error_text.scrollIntoView({"behavior": "smooth", "block": "center"});
error_text.focus();
error_text.click();
event.preventDefault();
return false;
}
var comment = document.getElementById("comment");
if( comment !== null && input_is_empty(comment) ) {
var error_text = document.getElementById("comment_form_error");
var element_link = '<a role="button" href="javascript:void();" onkeydown="down_check_spacebar(event);" onkeyup="check_spacebar(event, \'comment\');" onclick="select_input_element(event, \'comment\');">Select Field</a>';
error_text.innerHTML = "<strong>Error</strong>: Please provide comment text. " + element_link;
error_text.style.display = "block";
error_text.scrollIntoView({"behavior": "smooth", "block": "center"});
error_text.focus();
error_text.click();
event.preventDefault();
return false;
}
return true;
}
var comment_form = document.getElementById("commentform");
comment_form.onsubmit = validate_comment_form;
</script>
</article>
<aside class="cell w-100 l-w-30 l-pl4">
<div id="custom_html-4" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><div class="mb4">
<div class="w-100">
<a class="btn w-100 mb2 pl3" href="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSSA/subscriber/new?qsp=USSSA_5">
<img class="pr1"
width="30px"
style="margin-bottom: 2px;"
src="/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/subscribe-icon.png" role="presentation"
alt="subscribe-icon"/>
Subscribe
</a>
</div>
<div>
<a class="btn w-100 mb2 pl3 georgia" href=" https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/?utm_source=ssmatters&utm_medium=article-sidebar&utm_campaign=blog-to-mysocialsecurity">
<img class="pr1"
width="30px"
src="/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/my-ssa-icon.png"
role="presentation"
alt="my-social-security-icon"/>
<em><strong>my</strong></em> Social Security
</a>
</div>
<div>
<a class="btn w-100 mb2 pl3" href="https://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices/?utm_source=ssmatters&utm_medium=article-sidebar&utm_campaign=blog-to-onlineservices">
<img class="pr1"
width="30px"
src="/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/images/calculator-icon.png"
role="presentation"
alt="online-services-icon"/>
Online Services
</a>
</div>
</div></div></div><div id="categories-2" class="widget widget_categories"><h4 class="widgettitle">Posts In:</h4>
<ul>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-348"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/aging/">Aging (8)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-2"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/cola/">COLA (15)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-1084"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/covid-19/">COVID-19 (36)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-30"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/disability/">Disability (177)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-3"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/fraud-2/">Frauds &amp; Scams (97)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-347"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/general/">General (320)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-4"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/general-questions/">General Questions (3)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-356"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/guest-bloggers/">Guest Bloggers (57)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-278"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/health-care/">Health Care (4)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-5"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/history/">History (2)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-80"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/medicare/">Medicare (40)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-6"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/office-of-the-inspector-general/">Office of the Inspector General (6)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-127"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/online-services/">Online Services (181)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-1086"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/people-facing-barriers/">People Facing Barriers (18)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-322"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/privacy-identity/">Privacy &amp; Identity (5)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-7"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/retirement/">Retirement (122)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-1330"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/social-security-benefits/">Social Security Benefits (8)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-1083"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/social-security-number-and-card/">Social Security Number and Card (25)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-363"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/special-events/">Special Events (1)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-1085"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/ssi/">SSI (93)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-8"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/survivors/">Survivors (48)</a>
</li>
<li class="cat-item cat-item-9"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/category/taxes/">Taxes (20)</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div><div id="materiell_archives-2" class="widget widget_archive"><h4 class="widgettitle">Archives</h4> <label class="screen-reader-text" for="materiell_archives-dropdown-2">Archives</label>
<select id="materiell_archives-dropdown-2" name="archive-dropdown">
<option value="">Select Month</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2025/03/'> March 2025 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2025/02/'> February 2025 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2025/01/'> January 2025 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/12/'> December 2024 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/11/'> November 2024 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/10/'> October 2024 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/09/'> September 2024 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/08/'> August 2024 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/07/'> July 2024 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/06/'> June 2024 &nbsp;(2)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/05/'> May 2024 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/04/'> April 2024 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/03/'> March 2024 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/02/'> February 2024 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2024/01/'> January 2024 &nbsp;(3)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/12/'> December 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/11/'> November 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/10/'> October 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/09/'> September 2023 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/08/'> August 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/07/'> July 2023 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/06/'> June 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/05/'> May 2023 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/04/'> April 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/03/'> March 2023 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/02/'> February 2023 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2023/01/'> January 2023 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/12/'> December 2022 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/11/'> November 2022 &nbsp;(3)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/10/'> October 2022 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/09/'> September 2022 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/08/'> August 2022 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/07/'> July 2022 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/06/'> June 2022 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/05/'> May 2022 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/04/'> April 2022 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/03/'> March 2022 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/02/'> February 2022 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2022/01/'> January 2022 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/12/'> December 2021 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/11/'> November 2021 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/10/'> October 2021 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/09/'> September 2021 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/08/'> August 2021 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/07/'> July 2021 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/06/'> June 2021 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/05/'> May 2021 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/04/'> April 2021 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/03/'> March 2021 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/02/'> February 2021 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2021/01/'> January 2021 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/12/'> December 2020 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/11/'> November 2020 &nbsp;(2)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/10/'> October 2020 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/09/'> September 2020 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/08/'> August 2020 &nbsp;(3)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/07/'> July 2020 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/06/'> June 2020 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/05/'> May 2020 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/04/'> April 2020 &nbsp;(11)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/03/'> March 2020 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/02/'> February 2020 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2020/01/'> January 2020 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/12/'> December 2019 &nbsp;(3)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/11/'> November 2019 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/10/'> October 2019 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/09/'> September 2019 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/08/'> August 2019 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/07/'> July 2019 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/06/'> June 2019 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/05/'> May 2019 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/04/'> April 2019 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/03/'> March 2019 &nbsp;(3)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/02/'> February 2019 &nbsp;(3)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2019/01/'> January 2019 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/12/'> December 2018 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/11/'> November 2018 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/10/'> October 2018 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/09/'> September 2018 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/08/'> August 2018 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/07/'> July 2018 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/06/'> June 2018 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/05/'> May 2018 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/04/'> April 2018 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/03/'> March 2018 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/02/'> February 2018 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2018/01/'> January 2018 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/12/'> December 2017 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/11/'> November 2017 &nbsp;(7)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/10/'> October 2017 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/09/'> September 2017 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/08/'> August 2017 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/07/'> July 2017 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/06/'> June 2017 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/05/'> May 2017 &nbsp;(10)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/04/'> April 2017 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/03/'> March 2017 &nbsp;(11)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/02/'> February 2017 &nbsp;(5)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2017/01/'> January 2017 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/12/'> December 2016 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/11/'> November 2016 &nbsp;(11)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/10/'> October 2016 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/09/'> September 2016 &nbsp;(11)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/08/'> August 2016 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/07/'> July 2016 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/06/'> June 2016 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/05/'> May 2016 &nbsp;(11)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/04/'> April 2016 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/03/'> March 2016 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/02/'> February 2016 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2016/01/'> January 2016 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/12/'> December 2015 &nbsp;(4)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/11/'> November 2015 &nbsp;(9)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/10/'> October 2015 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/09/'> September 2015 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/08/'> August 2015 &nbsp;(10)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/07/'> July 2015 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/06/'> June 2015 &nbsp;(8)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/05/'> May 2015 &nbsp;(6)</option>
<option value='https://blog.ssa.gov/2015/04/'> April 2015 &nbsp;(1)</option>
</select>
<p></p>
<a class="btn px3" id="activate_materiell_archives-dropdown-2" href="#">Go</a>
<p></p>
<script type="text/javascript">
/* <![CDATA[ */
(function() {
var activate_dropdown = document.getElementById( "activate_materiell_archives-dropdown-2" );
function onActivateDropdown() {
var dropdown = document.getElementById( "materiell_archives-dropdown-2" );
if ( dropdown.options[ dropdown.selectedIndex ].value !== '' ) {
document.location.href = dropdown.options[ dropdown.selectedIndex ].value;
}
}
activate_dropdown.onclick = onActivateDropdown;
})();
/* ]]> */
</script>
</div> </aside>
</section>
</main>
<footer class="bg-gray-100 fs1 print-dn pb0" id="footer" role="contentinfo">
<div class="wrapper">
<div class="grid pt3">
<div class="cell w-100 m-w-60 mb3">
<h3 class="fs3 mb1">Getting Started</h3>
<div class="footer-menu"><ul id="menu-footer-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-5129" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5129"><a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/comment-policy/">Comment Policy</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-8273" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-8273"><a href="https://www.ssa.gov/accessibility/">Accessibility Support</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-8274" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-8274"><a href="https://www.ssa.gov/agency/privacy.html">Privacy Policy</a></li>
</ul></div> </div>
<div class="cell w-100 m-w-40">
<h3 class="fs3 mb1">Sign Up for Newsletter</h3>
<form id="GD-snippet-form"
action="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSSA/subscribers/qualify"
accept-charset="UTF-8"
method="post">
<input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="&#x2713;"/>
<input type="hidden" name="topic_id" id="topic_id" value="USSSA_136"/>
<label class="fs1" for="email_footer">Enter Your Email Address to Subscribe</label>
<input name="email" id="email_footer" type="email" placeholder="name@email.com">
<input class="mb4 m-mb4 px3" type="submit" name="commit" value="Sign Up">
</form>
</div>
</div>
<div class="grid bt bc-blue pt4">
<div class="cell w-100 l-w-60">
<div class="fx fx-ac-c fs2 fw4 ma0 mb3">
<div class="footer-logo" role="presentation"></div>
<p class="pl2 gray fs1 pt2 pr4"><span class="fs3 fw5 ssa" style="line-height: 1; color: #222 !important;">Social Security Administration</span><br>Our mission is to deliver Social Security services that meet the changing needs of the public.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="cell w-100 l-w-40 mb3">
<h3 class="fs3 mb2 fx">Connect with Us</h3>
<div class="fx-i">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/socialsecurity" class="mr2 social-media-item fs3 ta-c social-color-facebook hover-shadow">
<i class="mt3 pt0 m-my1 m-pt2 l-ma1 white fa fa-facebook"></i>
<span class="screen-reader-text">SSA on Facebook</span>
</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/socialsecurity" class="mr2 social-media-item fs3 ta-c social-color-twitter hover-shadow">
<i class="mt3 pt0 m-my1 m-pt2 l-ma1 white fa fa-x-twitter">
<svg version="1.1" id="Layer_1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0px" y="0px"
viewBox="0 0 512 512" style="enable-background:new 0 0 512 512;" xml:space="preserve">
<style type="text/css">
.st0{fill:#FFFFFF;}
</style>
<path class="st0" d="M389.2,48h70.6L305.6,224.2L487,464H345L233.7,318.6L106.5,464H35.8l164.9-188.5L26.8,48h145.6l100.5,132.9
L389.2,48z M364.4,421.8h39.1L151.1,88h-42L364.4,421.8z"/>
</svg>
</i>
<span class="screen-reader-text">SSA on X</span>
</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/socialsecurityonline" class="mr2 social-media-item fs3 ta-c social-color-youtube hover-shadow">
<i class="mt3 pt0 m-my1 m-pt2 l-ma1 white fa fa-youtube"></i>
<span class="screen-reader-text">SSA on Youtube</span>
</a>
<a href="http://instagram.com/socialsecurity" class="mr2 social-media-item fs3 ta-c social-color-instagram hover-shadow">
<i class="mt3 pt0 m-my1 m-pt2 l-ma1 white fa fa-instagram"></i>
<span class="screen-reader-text">SSA on Instagram</span>
</a>
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com" class="mr2 social-media-item fs3 ta-c social-color-linkedin hover-shadow">
<i class="mt3 pt0 m-my1 m-pt2 l-ma1 white fa fa-linkedin"></i>
<span class="screen-reader-text">SSA on Linkedin</span>
</a>
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/SocialSecurityMatters" class="mr2 social-media-item fs3 ta-c social-color-rss hover-shadow" style="display: none">
<i class="mt3 pt0 m-my1 m-pt2 l-ma1 white fa fa-rss"></i>
<span class="screen-reader-text">SSA RSS Link</span>
</a>
</div>
<div class="mt2">
<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/agency/disclaimer.html">About External Websites</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="cell w-100 ta-l ae-exclude mt2 pb0">
<p><em>This website is produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense.</em></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</footer>
<script type="text/javascript" id="ppress-frontend-script-js-extra">
/* <![CDATA[ */
var pp_ajax_form = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/blog.ssa.gov\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","confirm_delete":"Are you sure?","deleting_text":"Deleting...","deleting_error":"An error occurred. Please try again.","nonce":"2cf78a193a","disable_ajax_form":"false","is_checkout":"0","is_checkout_tax_enabled":"0","is_checkout_autoscroll_enabled":"true"};
/* ]]> */
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/js/frontend.min.js?ver=4.15.22" id="ppress-frontend-script-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" id="daexthefu-main-js-before">
/* <![CDATA[ */
window.DAEXTHEFU_PHPDATA = {"ajaxUrl":"https:\/\/blog.ssa.gov\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","nonce":"566f9facbd","uniqueSubmission":3,"cookieExpiration":3153600000,"commentForm":3,"textareaCharacters":400,"textareaLabelPositiveFeedback":"","textareaLabelNegativeFeedback":""}
/* ]]> */
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/plugins/daext-helpful/public/assets/js/main.js?ver=1.13" id="daexthefu-main-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.ssa.gov/wp-content/themes/firefly/assets/scripts/theme-scripts.js?ver=1737042641" id="site-js-js"></script>
<!-- GovDelivery Subscription Overlay -->
<script src='https://content.govdelivery.com/overlay/js/6209.js'></script>
<!-- End GovDelivery Overlay -->
</body>
</html>