Identity theft cases surged in New York State in 2020, inflicting financial losses on individuals and threatening disruption to government programs as well as private financial institutions, according to Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Read the May 2021 New York
State Comptroller's report The Increasing Threat of Identity Theft to learn more Thieves with access to personal information – Social Security number, birth certificate, PIN or credit card numbers, even pre-approved credit card solicitations – can steal your identity and apply for credit in your name, racking up huge debts without you even knowing that it has happened…until it’s too late.
Identity thieves also use individuals’ personally identifiable information for a variety of other purposes, including fraudulently obtaining medical services, unemployment insurance, prescription drugs or medical insurance coverage. To protect yourself, follow these suggestions: Safeguard Your Personal Information:
Protect Your Bank Accounts and Your Mail:
Protect Yourself on the Internet and Protect Your Computer:
If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft:
Certegy Inc.: (800) 437-5120
What do I do if I gave my Social Security number to a scammer?You can contact the OIG's fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271 or submit a report online at https://oig.ssa.gov/.
What do you do if someone has your Social Security number?Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-908-4490 or visit them online, if you believe someone is using your SSN to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes. Order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
Can you change your Social Security number if you have been scammed?You can't change your Social Security number simply because your card has been lost or stolen, or to avoid bankruptcy or legitimate debts. The only other reasons Social Security will consider assigning a new number are: Sequential numbers assigned to members of your family are causing confusion.
Can someone access my bank account with my Social Security number?Can someone access my bank account with my Social Security number? No, because you would have to provide even more personal details to authenticate your identity like physical evidence of your passport, ID, driver's license, etc.
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