Keep Your Social Security Number Safe

Happy Birthday! Social Security turns 81 years old on Sunday, August 14. The Social Security number followed a year later and since then, thieves have come up with many ways to try to steal our numbers including everything from dumpster diving to data breaches.

What You Should Know:

• Leave your card at home, preferably in a locked safe, or in your bank safety deposit box when you don't need it with you.
• Shred documents- using a crosscut shredder- that contain your Social Security number.
• Don't give out your Social Security number over the phone.  Beware of anyone asking for your Social Security number by email. It may be an imposter posing as your bank or the government.
• Know to whom you are providing your number and how they will use it. Sometimes you will need to provide your Social Security number to a financial institution or insurance company. But, if you are not sure, ask why you need to provide it, how it will be stored, if it will be shared with others, and what the protocols are for a data breach.

What You Should Do:

• Check your Social Security record to make sure it's accurate.
• Set up a "My Social Security Account" at http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=ZIiZDTZkW-QP_nY-EhS9BA to review your earnings record and get an estimate of your benefits.
• If you see inconsistencies, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.