What can a thief do with a stolen Social Security number?

A dishonest person who has your Social Security number can use it to get other personal information about you. Identity thieves can use your number and your good credit to apply for more credit in your name. Then, when they use the credit cards and don’t pay the bills, it damages your credit.

What types of damage can a person suffer from identity theft?

Identity theft can happen to anyone and lead to a number of problems. It can damage your credit and disqualify you from loans, stall your tax refund, and drain your bank account — to name but a few outcomes. In more severe cases, it can even get you wrongfully arrested.

What happens when your identity is stolen what can the thief do?

Identity (ID) theft happens when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud. The identity thief may use your information to apply for credit, file taxes, or get medical services. These acts can damage your credit status, and cost you time and money to restore your good name.

Can someone access my bank account with my Social Security number?

They can use your SSN to open a bank account in your name. That means that anyone with your SSN can easily open a bank account in your name, especially if the identity thief already obtained a driver’s license in your name.

What are the 5 common types of identity theft?

Here are some common types defined, and some actions you might consider to combat them:

• Financial identity theft.
• Tax identity theft.
• Medical identity theft.
• Employment identity theft.
• Child identity theft.
• Senior identity theft.

What can an identity thief do with your Social Security number?

Steven J.J. Weisman, author of “Identity Theft Alert: 10 Rules You Must Follow to Protect Yourself from America’s #1 Crime,” said that one of the worst things an identity thief can do with your Social Security number is to obtain a loan in your name. To do this, the hacker would first need to use your SSN to access your credit reports.

What happens if someone steals your Social Security number?

Once an identity thief has your Social Security number, they can commit all sorts of financial fraud, potentially leaving you on the hook for their misconduct. Social Security numbers are wrapped up in most aspects of Americans’ lives—employment, medical history, taxes, education and bank accounts, to name a few.

Can a thief open a bank account with your Social Security number?

Open Financial Accounts Your Social Security number is the most important piece of personal information a bank needs when extending you credit or opening an account. With that number, a thief can get credit cards or loans. And when it’s time to repay them, they won’t, which will damage your credit score.

Can someone use your Social Security number to commit a crime?

Commit crimes under your name Surprise, surprise. A criminal can use your Social Security number to – yep, you guessed it – commit more crimes. For example, if the thief gets caught and arrested for a crime, he or she can give your stolen Social Security number out to the police.