Act within the first 24 hours

If you believe your Social Security number has been stolen, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. Report the theft there first — the FTC creates an Identity Theft Report, which you will need when you contact banks, creditors, and the Social Security Administration itself.

Next, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to report the theft directly. Tell them your number has been compromised. They can flag your account and discuss what steps to take next. This call takes 10 to 15 minutes and creates a record on your file.

Then contact your bank and any credit card companies you use. Tell them your Social Security number has been stolen and ask them to flag your accounts for fraud. Many banks can place a temporary fraud alert on your account the same day you call.

Key Takeaways

  • Report the theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov first, because the Identity Theft Report you receive is required by banks and creditors.
  • Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to report the theft directly to them and ask about a replacement number if fraud has already occurred.
  • Contact your bank and credit card companies within 24 hours to place fraud alerts on your accounts.
  • Place a credit freeze with all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to prevent someone from opening new accounts in your name.
  • Check your credit report for unauthorized accounts or charges, and dispute anything you did not open.

Place a credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus

A credit freeze stops lenders from pulling your credit report without your permission, which makes it much harder for a thief to open new credit cards or loans in your name. You need to place the freeze with all three bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each one maintains a separate credit file.

You can place a freeze online, by phone, or by mail with each bureau. Online is fastest — most freezes take effect within one business day. Here are the contact details:

  • Equifax: 1-800-349-9960 or freeze.equifax.com
  • Experian: 1-888-397-3742 or experian.com/freeze
  • TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872 or transunion.com/credit-freeze

When you place a freeze, each bureau will give you a PIN or password. Write these down and store them somewhere safe — you will need them later if you want to unfreeze your credit temporarily (for example, when you explore for a mortgage or car loan).

Monitor your credit report and dispute unauthorized accounts

Once you have reported the theft and placed a freeze, check your credit report for accounts or charges you did not open. You can view your credit report for free once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the official site run by the three bureaus. You can also request a report by phone at 1-877-322-8228 or by mail.

If you see accounts or charges you did not authorize, dispute them in writing with the credit bureau that reported them. Include a copy of your Identity Theft Report from the FTC. The bureau must investigate within 30 days and remove the fraudulent item if they cannot verify it belongs to you.

You should also dispute the fraudulent account directly with the creditor or bank that opened it. Send a letter explaining that the account was opened without your permission and include a copy of your Identity Theft Report. Keep copies of everything you send.

Request a new Social Security number if fraud has already occurred

If someone has already used your stolen number to open accounts, get a job, or commit fraud, you may want to request a replacement number from the Social Security Administration. This is not required, but it can help prevent future fraud.

To request a new number, visit your local Social Security office in person or call 1-800-772-1213. You will need to show proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or passport), proof of age (a driver's license or passport), and proof of identity. The Social Security Administration will not charge you for a replacement number.

Keep in mind that a new number does not erase the old one from records — creditors and employers may still have the old number on file. You will need to contact them separately to update your information.

Document everything and keep records

From the moment you discover the theft, write down the date and time you reported it, the name of the person you spoke with, and what they told you to do. Save all letters, emails, and documents related to the theft and your reports. These records protect you if a creditor or the Social Security Administration later questions charges or accounts opened in your name.

Create a folder (physical or digital) with copies of your Identity Theft Report from the FTC, your credit freeze confirmations from each bureau, dispute letters you sent to creditors, and any responses you receive. If you request a new Social Security number, keep the confirmation letter from the Social Security Administration.

Watch for signs of ongoing fraud

Even after you have reported the theft and frozen your credit, continue to watch for signs that someone is still using your number. Check your credit report every few months for new unauthorized accounts. Review your bank and credit card statements monthly for charges you did not make. If your employer uses an online portal, log in occasionally to verify your earnings record is correct.

If you receive bills or collection notices for accounts you did not open, report them to the FTC and the creditor when ready. If you are denied credit or a job because of fraud on your record, ask the lender or employer for the reason and dispute it with the credit bureau.

Understand what a credit freeze does and does not do

A credit freeze prevents new creditors from pulling your credit report, so it stops most identity theft in its tracks. However, it does not protect you from fraud involving your existing accounts — a thief who has your number and bank account information can still drain your checking account or run up charges on a credit card you already own.

A freeze also does not prevent someone from using your number to get a job, file a tax return, or explore for government benefits. If you suspect this type of fraud, report it to the IRS (at IdentityTheft.gov or 1-800-908-4490) or to the specific agency involved.

A credit freeze is different from a fraud alert. A fraud alert tells lenders to contact you before opening new accounts, but it does not stop them from doing so. A freeze is stronger — it requires the lender to contact you and get your permission before they can even see your credit report. Freezes are free and do not expire unless you unfreeze them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to unfreeze my credit if I need to explore for a loan?

You can unfreeze your credit temporarily or permanently by contacting each of the three bureaus with your PIN or password. Temporary unfreezes usually take effect within one business day and last for a set period (often 7 to 30 days, depending on the bureau). Permanent unfreezes are when ready once the bureau processes your request.

Will my credit score be affected if my Social Security number is stolen?

Your credit score may drop if a thief opens accounts in your name and misses payments or maxes out credit limits. However, once you dispute the fraudulent accounts and they are removed from your credit report, your score should recover over time. Disputing the accounts does not hurt your score.

What if I discover the theft years later?

Report it to the FTC and the Social Security Administration when ready, even if the theft happened years ago. Place a credit freeze with all three bureaus and check your credit report for old unauthorized accounts. You can still dispute accounts that appear on your report, and the credit bureaus must investigate them.

Can I sue someone for stealing my Social Security number?

You may be able to sue for identity theft under state law, but most people find it more practical to report the theft to the FTC and work with creditors to remove fraudulent accounts. An attorney who specializes in identity theft can advise you on whether a lawsuit makes sense in your situation.

Do I need to pay for credit monitoring or identity theft protection services?

No. A credit freeze is free and more effective than paid monitoring services. You can check your credit report for free once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com. Some paid services offer additional features, but they are not necessary to protect yourself after a theft.