subject: Social Security Number Risks [print this page] One of the fastest growing crimes in the US, especially with the rise of the internet economy, is identity theft. In fact, tens of billions dollars occurred in 2008 alone. Many people who have been a victim of this crime have not discovered that credit is being borrowed under their name until they receive a call, demanding for payment. Another situation occurs when they are refused credit during a store or restaurant purchase. This credit card fraud generally occurs when the victim's Social Security Number (or SSN) has been compromised.
There are a number of ways that your SSN can become compromised, or otherwise fall into a fraudster's hands. One of the most common methods for thieves is to raid people's mailboxes. Often times, financial information that is sitting in mailboxes will contain your Social Security Number on them. By stealing mail from your mailbox, a thief can easily retrieve your personal information without your knowledge. Another problem is the continued rise of phishing email scams.
When using popular Social Security Number reverse lookup sites like SSNBackground, make sure that the page stresses the secure handling of personal information. Furthermore, ensure that the checkout process uses HTTPS technology and is encrypted. Ensure that these sites are legitimate, and never use a site that you have not heard of.
This all sounds like bad news, but there are ways you can protect yourself. First, avoid carrying your Social Security card with you. It's extremely rare when you need the physical card itself, so it's best left at home. Furthermore, make sure you clear out your mailbox as soon as you receive new mail.
Destroy any letters that you are going to throw out instead of just placing them in the trash with personal information on display. Another recommendation is to avoid using your SSN as much as humanly possible. Although many companies will ask for this information when you are applying for credit or purchasing goods, they will often offer an alternative method for signing up.
