How to check if someone is using my Social Security Number?

You can’t directly check if someone is using your Social Security number (SSN), but you can look for clues.  

In this article, we’ll show you where to check and how to spot those signs. 

On top of that, you’ll learn what to do if you suspect someone has stolen your SSN, and we’ll wrap up with a quick look at how to prevent identity theft from happening in the first place.

Let’s dive in!

How to check if someone is using your Social Security number

Sadly, you can’t really tell if someone has stolen your SSN until they actually do something with it.   

Fraudsters usually need your SSN to commit some form of identity theft.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the most common type of identity theft in 2024 was applying for credit cards, followed by taking out loans and opening bank accounts in someone else’s name.

That’s where you should look for clues first, since these can cause you the most damage.

But that’s not the only way your SSN can be misused.

Some fraudsters use it for other reasons, like getting a job illegally, misusing Social Security benefits, filing false claims, and more.

So, here’s how to check if someone has stolen your SSN:

1. Request a free annual credit report.
2. Review your Social Security statement.
3. Check your healthcare plans and insurance.
4. Watch out for unexpected bills and calls from debt collectors.

1. Request a free annual credit report

If fraudsters have your SSN, they can apply for different financial products in your name—mostly credit cards, but not just those. 

That’s why you should request your free credit report. You can get one free copy a year from each credit bureau.

Just visit annualcreditreport.com and request it there.

With the credit report in your hand, you’ll be able to spot right away if someone has applied for credit cards or taken out loans in your name, or tried to exploit your credit in another way.

Your credit report doesn’t list every account tied to your SSN, but it does give you information about financial products—like bank accounts—opened in your name.

These accounts may not always be listed directly, but you can often spot clues, such as institutions that have checked your credit—more on that below.

Credit

The report lists all your credit activity—activated and canceled credit cards, loans and inquiries for them, payment history, and more.

You need to carefully review your credit report and look for anything unusual, especially new credit cards or attempts to get cards in your name.

If you spot anything unusual—someone is probably using your SSN.

Bank account

With bank accounts, things are a bit different since they aren’t listed directly on your credit report.  

But there’s still a way to check.  

Before opening an account for you, a bank will check your credit—and you can spot traces of that.  

Review the “inquiries” section—if a bank pulled your credit information to open an account, you’ll see it under “hard inquiries”.

What to do if you find anything unusual

• Always report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at identitytheft.gov.
• Place a security credit freeze with all three bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
• If someone tried to open a bank account in your name, contact the bank and let them know you’ve been a victim of identity theft.

2. Review your Social Security statement

If you didn’t know before, the Social Security Administration lets you open an online account to track everything related to your SSN.  

With that account, you can also look for signs that someone else is using your number.

Go to ssa.gov/myaccount/ and create your account there or log in if you already have one.  

Once you’re in, download your Social Security statement.

With the report in hand, carefully review all sections—especially your earnings record.  

Some people may use your SSN to get a job. If they do, their wages will show up there.

But don’t stop there. Go through the entire statement and look for anything suspicious, like a tax refund to a different account, benefits used, or claims you didn’t file.

What to do if you find anything unusual

• Always report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at identitytheft.gov.
• You can also report fraud to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at oig.ssa.gov/report.

3. Check your healthcare plans and insurance

Fraudsters can also use your SSN to get healthcare in your name—it’s called medical identity theft.  

You might spot this if you start getting unexpected medical bills for healthcare services you never used.

But you don’t have to wait. 

You can check your healthcare plans for any unsolicited activity right away.

If you are enrolled in Medicare, log in to your mymedicare.gov account and examine your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) and claims information for anything unexpected.

If you have private insurance, review your explanation of benefits (EOB) statements for anything unusual, like treatments or doctor visits you never made use of.

You can read more about medical identity theft here.

What to do if you find anything unusual

• Always report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at identitytheft.gov.
• On top of that, you can report healthcare fraud using the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov. 

4. Watch out for unexpected bills and calls from debt collectors

And it’s not only medical bills that should catch your interest.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary or unexpected in your mail—like bills, debt notices, or account confirmations—it’s likely you’ve become a victim of some form of identity theft.

It can be letters from financial institutions, mobile service providers, or employers you’ve never heard of—fraudsters can exploit your Social Security number for all sorts of reasons.

What to do if you find anything unusual

• Always report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at identitytheft.gov.
• Contact the institution involved and let them know you’ve been a victim of identity theft.

What to do if your Social Security number was stolen

You should always report identity theft to the FTC, no matter if someone tried to get a credit card, a job, or your healthcare benefits.

The FTC is the main agency that helps identity theft victims. Once you contact them, they’ll create a personalized action plan for your case and guide you through the process.

Placing a security freeze on your credit is a smart way to prevent identity thieves from taking advantage of your credit—even if your credit report looks fine for now. 

You can always lift the freeze later when you need to apply for a new credit card, get a loan, or something similar.

You can learn more about best practices in cases of having an SSN stolen here. 

Is there a way to protect my Social Security number?

Unfortunately, you can’t put a security freeze on your Social Security number like you can with your credit.

That means it’s mostly up to you to stay alert and protect yourself.

Here are some tips to help keep your SSN safe:

• Protect your sensitive documents:

Don’t just toss them in the trash. Always tear up documents, especially the parts with your personal information. Even better, use a shredder.

• Be extra careful when giving out your Social Security number:

Don’t give out your SSN easily, especially over the phone. Legitimate institutions rarely ask for your Social Security number over the phone.

• Be alert to phishing and smishing attempts:

Scammers often send emails or texts pretending to be from government agencies. Always verify the source before clicking links or giving out information.

• Remove your personal information from data brokers:

While data brokers don’t share your SSN, they do share other details that scammers could use to get it from you.

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A little caution goes a long way when it comes to protecting your identity.