With scams more prevalent than ever these days, it can leave many people worried about how criminals are using their data. Though a fraudster getting access to a personal email account is concerning, it’s not nearly as troubling as having your Social Security number stolen. A recent study revealed just how problematic this type of theft can be, which may have you worried if you could be a victim too. Keep reading to find out common signs that your Social Security number has been leaked, what to do if you’ve been impacted and how to protect this sensitive information. 

What the new Social Security study reveals

On August 4, 2025, a company called SentiLeak shared findings about how criminals use a person’s stolen personal information. The collected data involved three different groups of people: Those whose names and addresses appeared online due to voter registration records, those whose names and addresses were taken from stolen checks and people whose names, addresses and Social Security numbers (SSNs) were on the Dark Web.  

David Maimon, SentiLink’s head of fraud insight, then looked at how often each group was repeatedly targeted by criminals. The research revealed that only 2.1 percent of people whose information was pulled from voter registration forms and 12.1 percent of those from stolen checks were targeted by fraudsters. On the other hand, 97 percent of people with compromised Social Security numbers had been victims of attempted identity theft.   

Unfortunately, the findings also found that in most cases, it’s impossible to know just how widely your Social Security may have been shared, as the “valuable” data is usually sold privately. Despite this, there are usually some red flags that indicate the number has been leaked. 

Life

Got a Coinbase Code Text You Didn’t Request? Here’s What to Do

A new phishing scam seems to be popping up every month, which can make it hard to stay alert. While some of these scams are more obvious than others, it can be particularly confusing when you’re the target of a phishing text that doesn’t initially seem like a scam. That’s what happened to me when […]

Warning signs that your Social Security number has been compromised

One of the reasons Social Security and identity theft are so concerning is that you usually won’t know the number has been leaked or stolen until someone begins using it. 

When that happens, there are telltale signs that it’s been compromised, say the pros at IdentityGuard.com. Here are some things you may notice:

• New accounts or loans opened in your name
• Illegal income on a Social Security statement
• Unexpected charges to your bank account
• Unfamiliar bills
• Prescreened credit card offers
• Unusual claims on your Medicare account

Any or all of this suspicious activity could indicate your Social Security number has been taken by a fraudster.

Steps to take immediately if you suspect your SSN was stolen

Once you have reason to believe your SS number is in the hands of a criminal, you’ll want to take action immediately to prevent them from doing any more damage. The first step is to report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC will provide you with a personalized recovery plan to help you deal with the problem. 

You can also contact law enforcement and file a police report if you believe you know who committed the fraud. You’ll need to supply your FTC report, photo ID, proof of address and evidence of the theft.

Next, you’ll want to set up a credit freeze and/or a fraud alert. A credit freeze prevents criminals from opening a new account in your name, while a fraud alert forces creditors to verify your identity before approving new accounts. (Note: A credit freeze does have to be set up with each credit bureau: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.)

Finally, it’s a good idea to contact any companies where your Social Security number has been used, such as government agencies or medical providers. 

Life

How To Spot A Traffic Ticket Scam Text

It seems like nearly every week, there is a new text scam that we need to look out for, and the most recent one is about the threat of unpaid traffic tickets. Receiving a text message that explains you might lose your license or something worse can be pretty scary, but it’s also unlikely to […]

How to prevent Social Security number theft

Though it’s impossible to completely protect your SSN, there are ways to help prevent it from ending up in the wrong hands. 

Consider the following helpful tips suggested by the office of the North Carolina Attorney General:

1. Avoid carrying your Social Security card in your wallet.
2. Don’t print your SSN on checks.
3. Only provide the number when absolutely necessary and ask why it’s needed and who has access to it.
4. Shred outdated documents.
5. Wipe old electronic devices clean before donating, discarding or selling.

Since the study found that those with leaked Social Security numbers are more likely to be repeatedly targeted by criminals, protecting the number is key. If bad actors don’t have your SSN, you won’t have as many chances of being victimized by a scam.