+++ title = "Has my SSN been Pwned?" outputs = ["Reveal"] +++
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🤷
Yes, it's likely your SSN has been exposed.
How can you protect yourself? 🤔
(Swipe right)
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Breach after breach exposes social security numbers
- 2017 Equifax breach exposes 100M SSN
- 2021 T-Mobile breach exposes 40M SSN
- ...
"It's totally reasonable to assume that your social security number has been compromised at least once, if not many times" -- Mike Chapple
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- Freeze your credit
- Set up a "My Social Security" account
- Assume everything is a scam
- Beware the "SIM Swap"
- Get better "MFA"
- Stop giving out your SSN
- Can I change my SSN?
- Contact the FTC
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Make it harder for scammers to open accounts in your name.
- Equifax - 800-685-1111
- Experian - 888‑397‑3742
- Transunion - 888-909-8872
⚠ They may try to sell you "boosts" and "locks" but a credit freeze should be free. ⚠
🎗 You will need to temporarily lift freezes to apply for credit. 🎗
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Set up an account at ssa.gov account so that a bad actor can't get there first and impersonate you.
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They may already have your SSN, name, DoB, drivers license, address. They want that last bit of info to take over your accounts.
- 📵 Don't click links
- 📵 Don't call phone numbers
- 📵 Don't respond to text messages
e.g. "Credit card company" calls about some fraudulant activity. Hang up and call the number on the back of your credit card
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A scammer convinces your wireless carrier to transfer your number to their device. Now they receive your account verification text messages
- Call your carrier and ask to set up a "Port Freeze".
- You will need to create a PIN. Make it long, unique, include letters if possible, and save it somewhere safe.
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A SIM swap only helps a scammer if you are using your cell service to prove your identity.
Wherever possible, use an authenticator app instead of your email or cell phone.
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- Most websites and paper forms don't need your SSN. Make them prove their need.
- You may be able to use an EIN instead, but talk to lawyer / accountant first.
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Even if your SSN has appeared in a data breach, you can only get a new number if you have already been a victim of identity theft and you continue to be "disadvantaged" by using the original number.
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If you're a victim of identity thieves, call the Federal Trade Commission at (877) 382-4357 and visit their identity theft page.
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hasmySSNbeenpwned brought to you courtesy of tygertec.
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Even $1 really helps keep this content updated.
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It started as a just-for-grins parody site in response to the T-Mobile breach. Then I realized it could be:
- 🎓 Educational
- 🗃️ A central place for direct links to hard-to-find resources
"Dad, here's everything you need to freeze your credit with all 3 major credit bureaus".
💻 View the source code on GitHub
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This site...
- does not maintain a list of compromised SSN
- is educational and meant to raise awareness
- has no relationship with the US government or Social Security Administration
- provides no guarantees or warranties
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- Hugo theme by Josh Dzielak
- Reveal.js HTML presentation framework, by Hakim El Hattab
- Inspired by Troy Hunt's haveibeenpwned.com
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