If someone uses your Social Security number to get a job

Last month, I wrote about the problem of illegal immigrants using stolen Social Security numbers to get jobs and how this could create havoc with your own Social Security account if you are a victim. I suggested that you review your Social Security Statement regularly (www.ssa.gov/mystatement) and make sure the numbers match what you know your earnings to be.

While this seems logical, it’s not a guaranteed way to be sure your Social Security number has been stolen and is being used for an illegal to gain employment. It’s possible that not all of those earnings will get reported on your account. Even so, checking your Social Security Statement each year is a good idea because it will help you identify and correct problems quickly. Consider how challenging it would be to correct your income records from 10 or 15 years ago.

When it comes to identity theft, there is no single thing you can do to protect yourself—you need to use a variety of strategies that include keeping your personal information private and monitoring your records and credit reports.

Jackie