My social security has been compromised: Visible on Facebook for a short time.
Q) My social security has been compromised: Visible on Facebook for a short time. I wish to place a warning on my Number
A) If your Social Security number has been compromised, it is important to take immediate action to protect yourself against identity theft and financial fraud. Here are some steps you can take:
- Place a fraud alert on your credit report: Contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and ask them to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will require lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name.
- Monitor your credit report: You can request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies once a year. Review your report for any suspicious activity, such as accounts or loans you didn’t open.
- Contact the Social Security Administration: Let them know that your Social Security number has been compromised and ask if they can place a warning on your account. They may also be able to issue you a new Social Security number if necessary.
- File a report with the Federal Trade Commission: Visit the FTC’s website and file a report about the identity theft. This will help you create a record of the theft and can be used as evidence if you need to dispute any fraudulent charges.
- Alert your financial institutions: Contact your banks, credit card companies, and any other financial institutions where you have accounts and let them know that your Social Security number has been compromised. They may be able to put additional safeguards in place to protect your accounts.
- Be vigilant: Keep an eye on your accounts and be alert for any unusual activity, such as charges you didn’t make or withdrawals you didn’t authorize. Report any suspicious activity to your financial institution right away.
Remember, it’s important to act quickly when your Social Security number has been compromised to minimize the damage and protect yourself against further fraud.
Summary: You can place a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting any one of the three major credit bureaus. They are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Once you place a fraud alert with one of the bureaus, they will notify the other two bureaus to do the same. This will make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. You can also request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus once a year at annualcreditreport.com.
You can also report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.