Report it to the Social Security Administration first

Call the Social Security Administration's main number at 1-800-772-1213 and tell them your Social Security number has been stolen or misused. Have your number ready when you call. The SSA will flag your account and can tell you whether anyone has used it to open accounts, claim benefits, or file taxes in your name.

You do not need to visit a local Social Security office — the phone line handles theft reports. The SSA can place a note on your record that alerts staff if someone tries to use your number. This takes a few minutes and costs nothing.

Keep the date and time of your call and the name of the person you spoke with. You may need this information later if you have to prove you reported the theft.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to report the theft; they will flag your account and check for unauthorized use.
  • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov to create an official record and get a recovery plan.
  • Contact your bank, credit card companies, and employers to alert them that your number may have been compromised.
  • Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to prevent fraudulent accounts.
  • Monitor your Social Security earnings record annually at ssa.gov/myaccount to catch unauthorized work history.

File a report with the Federal Trade Commission

Go to IdentityTheft.gov and file a report. This is the official government site for identity theft complaints. You will answer questions about what happened, when you discovered the theft, and what type of misuse occurred (tax fraud, credit card fraud, benefits fraud, or other). The FTC uses these reports to track patterns and investigate large-scale theft rings.

When you finish, the FTC creates a personalized recovery plan that tells you the next steps based on your situation. You will also receive an Identity Theft Report, which is a document you can show to banks, creditors, and the SSA to prove the theft was reported officially. This report can help you dispute fraudulent charges and accounts.

Filing takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You do not need to pay anyone to file this report — the FTC does not charge.

Alert your bank and credit card companies

Call the fraud department of every bank and credit card company where you have an account. Tell them your Social Security number has been stolen and ask them to review your accounts for unauthorized transactions. Most banks will freeze your accounts temporarily while they investigate.

If you see charges you did not make, report them right away. Federal law limits your liability for fraudulent credit card charges to $50 per card, and many banks waive that fee entirely. For bank accounts, your protection depends on how quickly you report — the sooner you call, the better.

Ask each company to send you written confirmation of the fraud report. Keep these letters in a file with your FTC report and SSA call notes.

Place a fraud alert or credit freeze

Contact one of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — and request a fraud alert. You only need to call one bureau; they are required to notify the other two. A fraud alert tells creditors to contact you by phone before opening new accounts in your name. It lasts one year and is free.

If you want stronger protection, you can place a credit freeze instead. A freeze locks your credit report so that no one can open new accounts without your permission. You will need to unfreeze it temporarily if you want to open a legitimate account yourself. A freeze lasts until you remove it and is also free.

Here are the contact numbers for each bureau:

  • Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
  • Experian: 1-888-397-3742
  • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

Check your Social Security earnings record

Create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount and view your earnings record. This shows all the wages reported to Social Security under your number each year. If someone has been working under your number, you will see income you did not earn.

Check this record at least once a year, even after you have reported the theft. If you spot unauthorized earnings, contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and ask them to correct your record. Bring documentation of the theft report you filed.

Unauthorized earnings can affect your future benefits if they are not removed, so catching them early matters. The SSA can usually correct the record within a few months.

Watch for tax fraud

If your Social Security number was stolen, someone may try to file a tax return using it before you do. File your own return as early as possible in tax season — the IRS processes returns on a first-come, first-served basis.

If the IRS rejects your return because one was already filed under your number, contact the IRS Identity Theft hotline at 1-800-908-4490. Have your FTC Identity Theft Report ready. The IRS will investigate and help you file a legitimate return.

You can also file Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, with the IRS if you suspect tax fraud. This alerts them to monitor your account for future fraudulent filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to resolve identity theft?

It varies. Fraudulent credit card charges may be resolved in 30 to 60 days. Correcting your Social Security earnings record can take several months. Tax fraud investigations may take longer. The key is to report it when ready — the sooner you act, the sooner the agencies can investigate and stop further damage.

Will I have to pay for fraudulent charges?

No. Federal law protects you from liability for fraudulent credit card charges. For bank accounts, your liability depends on how quickly you report the fraud — report within two business days and you lose no more than $50. Report after that and your liability increases, but most banks cover fraud anyway.

Do I need to hire a credit monitoring service?

No. The three credit bureaus offer free credit monitoring for one year after you file an identity theft report with the FTC. You can also check your credit report free once per year at annualcreditreport.com. Paid services offer extra features, but they are not necessary to recover from theft.

What if someone is using my Social Security number to work?

Report it to the SSA and the IRS. The SSA will flag your account. The IRS can investigate whether the person filed a tax return. You may also report it to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if you suspect the person is undocumented, though this is optional. Focus first on the SSA and FTC reports — those are the priority.

Can I get a new Social Security number?

The SSA rarely issues new numbers. You must show that you have already reported the theft and taken steps to stop the misuse, and that the misuse is ongoing despite those efforts. Even then, a new number is not may provide. Start with the steps above — most people resolve theft without needing a new number.