Protect your Social Security Number

The most important nine digits in your life are your Social Security number. This number is yours and yours alone, since 1936 when the government first started issuing Social Security numbers they have never had the need to duplicate a number. They were never intended to be used the way we do in today’s society; however because of its uniqueness and the fact that they stay with you your entire life many industries have found them to be the most foolproof vehicle for identification.

Not only are they used by many government agencies like the Social Security Administration (SSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Department of Motor Vehicles, but also Banks, Credit Unions, Insurance Providers, College Admissions, and too many others to mention. This is one of the reasons that Identity Theft has become one of the fastest growing crimes of our times. Just try to imagine how many databases around the world may have your Social Security number stored, and how many people may have access, whether intended or not.

For this reason you must be the first line of defense for your own Social Security number and do everything in your power to protect its integrity. The following is a list of tips to help you protect your Social Security number:

* Never carry your Social Security number or card, Passport, or Birth Certificate in your wallet or purse. You should memorize your number and leave the original documents in a secure place like a locked safe at home or in a safety deposit box.
* Do not share your Social Security number when it’s not necessary. Many businesses will ask for it during a transaction, however it is rarely needed unless you are banking, trading stock, buying property, or they require a credit inquiry to complete the transaction.
* The only persons you should share it with are your parents if you are a child and a spouse if you are a married adult.
* Do not use any part of your Social Security number as a PIN #, and make sure it is not used by your states Department of Motor Vehicles as the ID number on your Drivers License.
* Destroy all documents that contain your Social Security number or any other sensitive personal information so they do not fall into the wrong hands. This includes credit reports, credit card statements, tax forms, bank statements, utility bills, pre-approved credit card offer, etc.
* Shred all of these sensitive documents using a good quality shredder before discarding.
* Be aware of what’s on your credit reports; check them at least twice a year. This is usually the first place you will notice the activity of an identity thief. If you find any new inquires or accounts you did not initiate you may be a victim of identity theft.