What Am I Protecting?

• There is some information you want to keep completely to yourself. Your Social Security number is the most important because it leads directly to your government-issued benefits. Any misuse of these benefits is illegal and could lead to jail time.
  
  

Take Action

• Guard your Social Security number closely and keep your card in a safe place--not your wallet. Avoid allowing your card to be lost or stolen.
  
  

Misusing Social Security Benefits

• There are a number of ways people can commit Social Security fraud. Not reporting a death in the family in order to collect benefits, as well as stealing government-mailed checks are some of the most common ways. According to the Social Security Administration, other fraudulent activities include concealing a marriage, residing overseas but still collecting payments and concealing disability benefits while collecting.
  
  

Other Illegal Activities

• Buying or selling Social Security numbers is illegal, as are scams that are geared toward getting that information from people. It is also illegal to bribe a Social Security Authority employee.
  
  

If You Suspect Fraud

• You can put a freeze on your credit if you suspect identity theft, but reporting Social Security fraud needs to be done at a corporate level or directly to the government. Most businesses have an anonymous hotline to report fraud of any kind.