7 Ways To Secure Your Social Security Information

When you think about it, how people currently handle social security information is like an open invitation to cybercriminals. Your social security number, or SSN, is essentially your identity in object form — and giving other people access to this information is akin to giving them the keys to your home. 

Unfortunately, you can’t avoid sharing your SSN with many businesses and organizations (your bank, your employer, and anyone who needs to do a background check on you). Still, you can take steps to protect this private information as much as possible — mainly since identity theft frequently results from data breaches at big businesses that store sensitive data.

If you want to prevent someone from stealing your SSN for nefarious purposes (such as applying for credit in your name and racking up debt), here are some tips for keeping that number safe:

1. Monitor Your Social Security Statement

The social security administration (SSA) offers a monthly statement that tells you all the information about your retirement benefits, disability benefits, life insurance, and more. If you want to monitor your social security information or learn how to find your social security number, you can get a copy of your statement by calling the SSA or visiting their website.

The SSA will send you an annual social security statement in January that summarizes your earnings history, including social security wages and tips. The statement also includes estimates of future retirement benefits if you're still working at age 66 or older, based on current taxes paid into the system and estimated average earnings until age 67.

2. Keep Paper Documents With Your Social Security Number In A Safe Place

Keeping your social security documents in a locked drawer or safe is the safest way to keep them. Don’t leave them in a purse or wallet—the more places you carry them, the greater chance they will get lost or stolen. 

Similarly, don’t leave the documents out in a car where they could be stolen or accidentally left behind while traveling. If you must have your social security card at work, keep it with you only when necessary and then lock it away as soon as possible (for example, when going to lunch). 

Finally, storing your social security number on paper isn't ideal because any document that includes this information should be kept in a safe place.

3. Be Careful On The Phone And Online

If you're asked for your social security number over the phone or online, be careful. Never give it out to strangers, and don't allow yourself to be tricked by a scammer into giving out your information. If someone asks for your social security number, hang up or close the page immediately.

Don't ever provide personal information in response to an email that looks like it's from a company you do business with (e.g., your bank). The best way to protect yourself is not to click on email links—even if they appear legitimate. Also, always double-check the sender's address before opening any attachment or clicking on links embedded in an email message.

4. Guard Your Mail And Trash

Another way to secure your information is to protect it against identity theft and interception. You need to be mindful of what you put out in the mail and what ends up in your trash.

Trash can be an easy way for criminals or identity thieves to access personal information like credit card bills, medical records, and bank statements. So try not to leave these documents around. If you have sensitive documents lying around, use a shredder or another method of destroying them before throwing them away.

Similarly, if someone sees something addressed to you in the physical mail (as opposed to electronic), keep it secure until you've read it or lock it somewhere safe.

5. Protect Your Computer And Smartphone

The first step in protecting your social security number is not to keep it on your computer. The second step is not to keep it on your smartphone, USB drive, cloud, or email.

You may be thinking that this sounds like an unnecessary hassle. But when you consider that most people store their social security number in at least one of these places (if not all) by default, it becomes a lot more complicated than 'don't save it.' 

You'll need to delete any old copies of the information and ensure they're not hanging around anywhere unnoticed. Otherwise, someone could find them later and use them for unauthorized purposes.

6. Don't Use Public Computers

Your computer is one of the essential tools in safeguarding your SSN. It keeps all of your accounts and personal information safe, so you should ensure it's secure. That means not using public computers—or any other computer that isn't yours and you don't have control over.

If you do use a public computer, don't save sensitive data on it without encrypting it first. And when you're done checking out at an online store or looking up directions for dinner, turn off the browser after signing out of every site possible.

7. Use Security Software

Using software to protect your social security information is a must. Software like antivirus, anti-malware, and anti-spyware programs can keep you safe by identifying and removing malicious software that could steal your data. 

A firewall will prevent harmful intrusions into your computer or other connected devices. A password manager will make it easy for you to remember all of the different passwords needed for all of the various sites where you store your sensitive information (and also make sure they're secure). A VPN (Virtual Private Network) service uses encryption technology that keeps hackers from accessing personal information as it travels over public networks like the internet.

Conclusion

Just because you’re not actively using your social security number doesn’t mean it can’t be used against you. Thieves and fraudsters are always looking for new ways to steal people’s information, so be proactive about protecting yourself. 

By following these seven tips, you can make it much harder for identity thieves to get the information they want from you. And if they do try something, having your social security number protected will help limit their damage.