Report identity theft immediately
First, report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by following the steps at IdentityTheft.gov. "This is a simple and quick process, but an important starting point,” said Leslie H. Tayne, founder and director of Tayne Law Group in Melville, New York. “It will generate a recommended recovery plan and a personalized report to guide your next steps.”
You can track your FTC report progress online through your IdentityTheft.gov account to monitor each step of your recovery plan. For updates on your police report, contact the department where you filed it.
These reports will serve as your evidence when you dispute fraud with creditors. "Having criminal reports that are contemporaneous to your discovery of the event can be critical to fighting for data corrections,” said David Chami, managing partner at Consumer Justice Law Firm in Scottsdale, Arizona.
File a police report, too, if thieves stole money or compromised your accounts. These reports create a second layer of documentation with law enforcement, which strengthens your case when dealing with banks and credit bureaus.
Monitor and freeze your credit
Start by checking your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com, where you can access free reports from all three bureaus weekly. This helps you check for identity theft by spotting unfamiliar accounts or inquiries. You have the right to free credit reports from each bureau annually under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
However, monitoring alone won't stop thieves from opening new accounts. That's where a credit freeze comes in.
- Go to each bureau's website (Experian.com, Equifax.com and TransUnion.com).
- Find their security freeze section.
- Provide personal information and create a PIN to lift the freeze later.
"When a freeze is in place, creditors cannot review your credit report," Chami explained.
Keep in mind that a freeze only blocks new accounts, not activity on existing ones. Thieves can still max out current credit cards even with a freeze in place. Removing a freeze can take a few days, so plan ahead if you're applying for new credit.
For a less restrictive option, place a fraud alert by contacting any of the three bureaus online or by phone. They'll automatically notify the other two. "A fraud alert asks the lender to take extra steps to verify identity before approving a new account," Tayne said. It lasts for one year unless you renew.
» COMPARE: 3 best credit monitoring services
Protect your tax and benefits
Request an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS at IRS.gov, a six-digit code that will help prevent someone from using your Social Security number to file a tax return. "Once you have one, the IRS won't accept a tax return without it," said Tayne.
Your Social Security benefits need protection, too. Take these steps to secure your benefits:
- Create or log in to your account at ssa.gov/myaccount.
- Review your earnings record for any work history you don't recognize.
- If you notice unauthorized changes, contact the Social Security Administration immediately to dispute them.
Beyond monitoring your benefits, you can lock your SSN through E-Verify's Self Lock feature at E-Verify.gov. After locking, “there will be a multi-factor authentication process to confirm your identity when someone runs your SSN for employment or benefit purposes," Chami explained. This stops thieves from using your number to get jobs or claim benefits in your name.
Secure your online accounts
Change your passwords right away if someone hacked your Social Security number. But don't swap in another easy-to-remember option like your kids’ names or birthdates.
“Follow best practices for how to style passwords and use password managers,” Chami recommended. These tools work through your browser, or as apps, to generate and store complex passwords you'd never remember on your own.
Strong passwords aren't enough if thieves have your Social Security number, though. Add multi-factor authentication (MFA) for a second layer of protection. Every time you access your account, you'll verify with a code sent to your phone or email.
The best thing you can do is spot fraud early on to prevent it from escalating.”
Even with these safeguards in place, you must monitor your accounts for suspicious activity and investigate immediately if you find a discrepancy.
“The best thing you can do is spot fraud early on to prevent it from escalating,” Tayne said.
Long-term identity protection strategies
"Stay connected to your data to protect your identity," Chami said. Review credit reports quarterly and bank statements monthly. Turn on transaction alerts to catch unauthorized purchases the moment they happen.
When you find errors on your credit report, Tayne advised disputing them with the credit bureau handling that report. Credit bureaus can fix mistakes quickly, and removing fraudulent accounts often boosts your score since those negative items no longer drag it down.
If your budget allows, consider the top identity theft protection services. But free tools through credit bureaus, banking apps and federal government sites work just as well. Pick whichever option fits your situation and actually use it. Monitoring only works if you do it regularly.
Beyond monitoring your accounts, “use data breach alerts as an opportunity to change your password, implement multi-factor authentication or enroll in any security programs offered by the company involved in the breach," suggested Chami.
» DISCOVER: What is a data breach?
Finally, watch out for phishing attempts. "Be suspicious of any email, phone call or text with urgency," Chami cautioned. Messages saying your account will close soon or demanding you pay right now are major red flags. Don't click their links. Go to the company's website and log in to see if there's actually a problem.
FAQ
Can someone get into your bank account with your Social Security number?
Not directly. Banks require passwords and MFA to access existing accounts. However, thieves can combine your SSN with other stolen information to reset passwords or open new fraudulent accounts in your name.
How do I check if someone is using my SSN?
To check if someone is using your SSN, pull your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for accounts you didn't open and check your Social Security earnings statement at ssa.gov/myaccount for jobs you never worked. If you get unexpected IRS notices or see anything suspicious, report it to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov.
How do I stop my SSN from being used?
You can't block it completely. But you can freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to prevent fraudsters from opening new accounts. Lock your SSN through E-Verify's Self Lock feature and request an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS to secure your tax filings.
What can someone do with your SSN?
With your SSN, someone can open credit cards and loans, file fake tax returns, steal government benefits or get medical care in your name. Your SSN gives criminals access to your identity, which can lead to severe financial damage and credit complications.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- Bureau of Justice Statistics, “Victims of Identity Theft, 2021.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, “Identity Theft.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- Social Security Administration, “Fraud Prevention and Reporting.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- Social Security Administration, “Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission, “Taking Charge: What to Do if Your Identity Is Stolen.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission, “What To Do if Your Information Was Lost or Stolen, or Part of a Data Breach.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission, “Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- USA.gov, “How to place or lift a security freeze on your credit report.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- IRS, “When to File an Identity Theft Affidavit.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- IRS, “Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN).” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “When Should I Review My Credit Report?” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- Federal Employees Benefit Association, “5 Steps to Prevent Identity Theft Before It Happens.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission - Consumer Advice, “Keep Your Software Up to Date.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- America’s Cyber Defense Agency, “Use Strong Passwords.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “How Do I Dispute an Error on My Credit Report?” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- IRS, “Identity Theft Guide for Individuals.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- E-Verify, “Self Lock.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
- State of California Department of Justice, “Your Social Security Number: Controlling the Key to Identity Theft.” Accessed Jan. 9, 2026.
