Lost Social Security Card: What to Do & How to Replace It
If you have a lost Social Security card, you are not alone—millions of replacements are issued every year. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes it simple to get a new one for free. This guide explains what to do right away, how to request a replacement online or in person, and what documents you’ll […]
TransUnion Credit Freeze Explained: Protecting Your Identity and Finances
Discover the benefits of TransUnion credit freeze, safeguarding your identity, & managing finances while securing personal information.
What is a Credit Freeze and How Can I Use One to Protect My Credit?
A Credit Freeze is a powerful, free tool that blocks access to your credit report, making it much harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. You must place a freeze separately with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to be fully protected. In this article you’ll learn what a credit freeze does, how […]
How to Protect Your Credit After The Equifax Data Breach
Scores of Americans are worried about the latest huge cyber hack in the U.S., an Equifax data breach that could impact up to 143 million consumers nationwide. Equifax, one of the country’s biggest credit bureaus, says cyber criminals hacked into its systems and gained unlawful access to people’s Social Security numbers, names, addresses, birth dates, […]
What to Do When Someone Used Your Social Security Number or SSN
If your Social Security card gets stolen or someone picks up your Social Security number from a confidential document, they may use it to steal your identity, access some of your personal information or open unauthorized financial accounts. It’s illegal to use somebody else’s Social Security number, but many victims of identity theft don’t even […]
What To Do If Someone Filed A Tax Return In Your Name And Stole Your Credit Identity
If the person that is your spouse, you need to file a request for what the IRS calls “innocent spouse relief”. Get IRS form 8857 to do this. If not, you should still notify the IRS and Federal authorities that you have been the victim of fraud and identity theft. Lock down your credit reports by getting a credit freeze and putting a fraud alert on your credit files with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Using a Credit Freeze to Protect Your Child’s Social Security Number
There was an article in the headlines recently about how identity thieves are selling children’s Social Security numbers over the Internet. One way to prevent your child (or you) from identity theft is to place a credit freeze on your credit file. Credit freezes help you thwart identity theft by preventing a crook from opening […]
What Steps Can I Take To Avoid Identity Theft?
Q: What Steps Can I Take To Avoid Identity Theft? A: To decrease your chances of falling victim to identity theft, you should shred sensitive documents before discarding them, never carry your social security card with you, and say no to anyone strangers who solicit you over the phone or via email and ask for […]