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Social Security
Questions and Answers
By Erin Thompson, Public Affairs Specialist, Toledo, OH
Guest Column
Question:
How can I protect myself against identity theft?
Answer:
First, don’t carry your Social Security card with you. Keep
it secure at home with your other important papers. Second,
don’t readily give out your Social Security number. While
many banks, schools, doctors, landlords, and others will
request your number, it is your decision whether to provide
it. Ask if there is some other way to identify you in their
records.
If you are the victim of identity theft, you should report
it right away. To report identity theft, fraud, or misuse of
your Social Security number, the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) (the nation’s consumer protection agency) recommends
you:
·
Place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting one of
the following companies (The company you contact is required
to contact the other two, which will then place alerts on
your reports.):
o
Equifax, 1-800-525-6285;
o
Trans Union, 1-800-680-7289; or
o
Experian, 1-888-397-3742.
·
Review your credit report for inquiries from companies you
have not contacted, accounts you did not open, and debts on
your accounts you cannot explain;
·
Close any accounts you know, or believe, have been tampered
with or opened fraudulently;
·
File a report with your local police or the police in the
community where the identity theft took place; and
·
File a complaint with the FTC at 1-877-438-4338 (TTY
1-866-653-4261).
Question:
Can I conduct my Social Security business online in the
event of a hurricane or other disaster that keeps me from
visiting an office?
Answer:
Yes. You can conduct most of your business with Social
Security online at
www.socialsecurity.gov,
where you’ll find a wealth of information and services. For
example, you can create or access your own my Social
Security account, apply online for Social Security
benefits or Medicare, and check the status of your pending
application. If you’re already receiving Social Security
benefits, you can change your address, phone number, or your
direct deposit information, get a replacement Medicare card,
or get an instant proof of income letter. You also can get
your Social Security Statement online. Your
Statement lets you check and verify your earnings record
and see estimates of your future benefits. You also can find
out if your local office is open at
www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency.
That site lists any office closings and delays.
Question:
I applied for a Social Security card for my child at the
hospital and the card came back with the first name
misspelled. What should I do?
Answer:
Go to your local Social Security office or card center to
ask for a corrected card. We need to see at least two
original documents proving your child’s:
·
U.S. citizenship; and
·
Identity.
We also must see proof of
your identity, as the parent.
The documents you show us must be either originals or copies
certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept
photocopies or notarized copies. To find out more, go to
www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
There, you can learn what documents you need to fill out and
print, and then bring or mail the information to us. You may
also want to read the publication, Social Security
Numbers For Children, available at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
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