Dear Editor:
Growing numbers of people are learning that crooks and thieves are using their Social Security numbers and other identifying information to open up credit accounts and damage their credit ratings. It’s called identity theft.
If you are the victim of identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission recommends taking these three steps. First, contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. Second, contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Third, file a report with your local police.
Frequently victims of these crimes turn to the Social Security Administration for help. Unfortunately we cannot play any role in resolving damage done to their good names and credit. That must be worked out with the appropriate credit agencies. What we can do is fix a Social Security earnings record to ensure that only earnings properly belonging to individual Social Security number holders are on their records. And in extreme circumstances, we can issue a new Social Security number to someone whose credit records have been damaged beyond repair.
But our larger role is in helping prevent people from becoming victims of identity theft. Our message is a simple one; safeguard your Social Security number. But I know that’s often easier said than done in today’s society. It sometimes seems that everywhere you go, people ask for your Social Security number. Part of the problem is that there is no law that prevents businesses and government agencies from using the Social Security number for record keeping purposes. On the other hand, there’s no law that says you have to give them your number.
But many times the choice of withholding your number is not made so easily. If you really want a credit card from a certain store, for example and the store won’t issue you a card without a Social Security number, you’ll have to make a judgment call. Which do you want more, the credit card or your privacy? You can try asking if there is anyway to get the credit card without your Social Security number. Sometimes the business will use some other number for record keeping purposes.
Here’s another bit of advice that falls into the “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” category. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse. About the only time you need to show someone your actual Social Security card is if you’re applying for a job or trying to collect some kind of government benefit. In most other situations, you are asked for your Social Security number only, not the card. And you probably have your number memorized. So keep your Social Security card at home with your other important papers.
The Federal Trade Commission products a handy booklet entitled When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name. You can get a copy online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or by writing to: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20580.
Yvonne Bryant
Social Security Manager, Jersey City