Though tax season has over, the Social Security Administration has updated its instructions for protecting your Social Security number (SSN). Identity theft has significant financial consequences and can take months, if not years, of hard work to fix.
Things that you need to know on how to protect your social security number from identity theft (Photo: Security Magazine)
Protecting your SSN is vital because it is utilized for a variety of services and programs. However, its use during registration is being phased out by various programs and institutions. That is why, if you’re wondering how to protect your social security number from identity theft, here are some things you should know.
In a recent published article by GO Banking Rates, how to protect your social security number from identity theft is if possible, just utilize your SSN for tax purposes. Many assistance programs are increasingly relying on personally generated accounts to get their benefits — yet some schools no longer connect a student ID with their Social Security number. Moreover, how to protect your social security number from identity theft is to keep your Social Security card at home. Although your SSN is utilized for a variety of programs and advantages, you shouldn’t need to carry (or use) the actual card with you on a daily basis.
Another thing that you need to know if you should know on how to protect your social security number from identity theft is to monitor your accounts and credit statements for any unusual activity and report them right away. Also, if you can’t commit to going completely paperless, trash any seemingly harmless financial documents that contain your Social Security number.
Furthermore, how to protect your social security number from identity theft do not use your social security number as a password. Use a password that does not contain any vital numbers or identifiers.
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Another things to consider on how to protect your social security number from identity theft.
According to Yahoo Finance, protect your mobile phone. We use our phones for almost everything, and keeping them locked with a pin or biometric lock could help protect your identity. Another preventative precaution you might take is to reduce the amount of time your screen is awake.
Register a professional ID protection service. Because identity theft protection services or ID protection providers can keep your online bank account information from being stolen, your credit score from being manipulated, your online reputation from being harmed, and online thieves from accessing any critical financial or personal information.
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