How to Lock Your Social Security Number

Protect Your Identity

Your Social Security number (SSN) is one of the most critical pieces of personal information you possess. It’s used for everything from applying for jobs to filing taxes and opening credit accounts. However, if your SSN falls into the wrong hands through a data breach or identity theft, it can be misused in ways that can have severe financial and legal consequences. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to lock your SSN and protect yourself from identity theft.In this article, we’ll explain how to lock your Social Security number, the benefits and drawbacks of doing so, and additional steps you can take to safeguard your identity.

Why Should You Lock Your Social Security Number?

Locking your SSN can prevent identity thieves from using it to commit fraud. If a criminal gains access to your SSN, they can:

• Open credit cards or loans in your name
• File fraudulent tax returns to claim refunds
• Apply for government benefits or employment under your identity

By locking your SSN, you restrict electronic access to it, making it much harder for cybercriminals to misuse it. This is especially important if you’ve been a victim of identity theft or if your personal information has been compromised in a data breach.

How to Lock Your Social Security Number

There are two primary ways to lock your Social Security number: through the Social Security Administration (SSA) or by using the E-Verify system.

1. Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA)

You can directly contact the SSA to request that they block electronic access to your SSN. Here’s how:

• Call the SSA: Reach out to the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.
• Verify Your Identity: You will need to confirm your identity by providing personal information such as your name, date of birth, and SSN.
• Request the Lock: Once verified, the SSA will block electronic access to your SSN.

This process prevents anyone from accessing your SSN online, including yourself. However, it does not affect other uses of your SSN, such as filing taxes or applying for government benefits.

2. Use MyE-Verify

MyE-Verify is an online tool managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that allows individuals to lock their SSNs from being used in employment eligibility verifications. Many employers use E-Verify to confirm an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States.Here’s how you can lock your SSN using MyE-Verify:

• Create a MyE-Verify Account: Visit MyE-Verify and sign up for an account.
• Use Self-Lock Feature: Once logged in, use the self-lock feature to block employers from verifying your SSN through E-Verify.

The lock lasts for one year but can be renewed before it expires. This option is particularly useful if you don’t want to call the SSA every time you need to unlock or relock your SSN.

The Drawbacks of Locking Your Social Security Number

While locking your SSN adds a layer of protection, it also comes with some inconveniences:

1. Restricted Access

When you lock your SSN, you restrict electronic access not only for potential fraudsters but also for yourself. This means that if you need to apply for a new job or receive government benefits that require verification of your SSN, you’ll need to unlock it temporarily.

2. Hassle of Unlocking

Unlocking and relocking your SSN can be time-consuming. If you frequently need access—such as when changing jobs or applying for loans—the back-and-forth process may become cumbersome.

3. Limited Protection

Locking your SSN only prevents certain types of fraud, such as employment identity theft or misuse in government benefit applications. It won’t protect against all forms of identity theft, such as someone using stolen credit card information linked to your name.

SSN Lock vs. Credit Freeze: What’s the Difference?

While locking your SSN helps protect against certain types of fraud, it’s not a substitute for a credit freeze. A credit freeze restricts access to your credit reports at all three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—making it harder for criminals to open new accounts in your name.Here’s how they differ:

For maximum protection against identity theft, consider both locking your SSN and freezing your credit reports.

Will Locking My Social Security Number Fully Protect Me From Identity Theft?

Unfortunately, locking your SSN alone won’t fully protect you from all types of identity theft. While it can prevent employment-related fraud or misuse in government benefit applications, criminals may still find other ways to steal from you.To better protect yourself:

1. Limit Sharing Your SSN: Only provide your Social Security number when absolutely necessary—never share it over unverified phone calls or emails.
2. Monitor Your Credit Reports: Regularly check your credit reports for any suspicious activity by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.
3. Use Identity Theft Protection Services: Consider enrolling in an identity theft protection service that monitors dark web activity and provides alerts if any suspicious activity is detected.
4. Set Up an IRS Identity Protection PIN: To prevent tax-related identity theft, sign up for an Identity Protection PIN with the IRS.