Can someone access my bank account with my social security number (SSN)? In certain circumstances, someone may be able to access your bank account with your SSN. However, they need other personal details of your bank, not just your SSN.
If a Social Security number is all it takes to access a bank account, many account holders will be victimized today. Fortunately, this is not the case. It does not also mean that you should give out or handle your SSN carelessly.
What is Social Security number?
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Generally, a Social Security number is a nine-digit identification number that contains important information about you. The U.S. Social Security Administration, employees, and other agencies also use your SSN to identify and track your earnings.
As mentioned earlier, someone may be able to access your bank account with your SSN. But the person needs complementary information such as your bank password and linked email address.
Although it is difficult or say impossible for someone to hack into your bank account with your SSN, you are still vulnerable. For instance, a scammer can use your Social Security number to steal your identity.
Can someone access my bank account with my social security number?
A criminal will not have access to your bank account with just your SSN, they can, however, use it for other incriminating purposes. These include selling it on the dark web, faking identity, and many others.
If someone claims to have access to a bank account with just SSN, it means they laid hands on other details such as the banking app password and email address known as bank logs (scammers’ terminology). In this case, your bank account details are compromised, you need to contact your bank and reset your passwords.
Even with your Social Security card, a scammer is unable to have access to your bank account. Suppose the scammer visits one of your bank branches to cash money in your name; they are asked to provide a valid photo ID.
Nonetheless, there are rumors that SSN is tied to secret bank accounts, this is completely false. Your SSN is not linked to any government-managed bank account in your name except you enroll in direct deposits for your Social Security income.
Read also: It may be possible to withdraw from Cash App with no card or bank account
Can someone do anything with your Social Security number?
Unfortunately, someone can do a whole lot of bad stuff with your Social Security number which is an identity theft. These are typically things that can implicate you by giving you a criminal record, damaging your credit, and generally tarnishing your reputation. Here are other lists of things that can happen if someone has your SSN.
Below are some of the things someone can do with your Social Security number:
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Obtain a credit card in your name
A criminal can fraudulently obtain a credit card or credit card in your name if they have your Social Security number. They also need your address which will not be a hard nut to crack. They can even obtain your address through phishing for your driver’s license.
A scammer with cards in your name can run up lots of debts that damage your credit history.
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Sell it on the dark web
Your SSN is worth more to a scammer. Research even shows that your Social Security number Costs just $4 on the dark web. Other scammers are willing to buy your SSN for several fraudulent activities in your name.
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Tax refund claims
Your SSN can be used for false tax refunds. You would not know while this goes on until you receive notice that someone else filed a return in your name and received the tax refund. Of course, you miss that long-awaited check.
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Open a financial account in your name
The bank needs your Social Security number to extend your credit or when you are opening an account. If a thief handles your SSN, they can obtain create a bank account in your name to obtain loans and many more.
Sadly, you are liable for the property damages since the bank cannot tell if you are sincere. You have to repay the debt, which could also damage your credit when you miss the payments. Your SSN is linked to the debts, so you will see them on your credit report.
Bad credit history can stop you from applying for loans or even a new account in the future.
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Claim your benefits
A scammer can use your SSN to file for Social Security benefits and unemployment, this depleting the resources, keeping you from accessing the assistance. You will not be able to access them when you are in need.
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Open a phone account
A thief with your Social Security can open a phone account in your name, they also need your address which is even easier to get.
You can receive, for example, a Verizon Wireless bill you know nothing about. It is a scammer’s handiwork who opened an account in your name to purchase several expensive phones charged to your account.
How do I check to see if someone is using my Social Security number?
There is no perfect way to check and tell if someone is using your Social Security number, you only have to be observant to know. Below are the tips you can use to check to see if someone is using your Social Security number:
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Credit score changes
Bans and lenders use your credit score to determine what risks they stand to face when they lend you money. They will use your track record to know how likely you are to repay the loan.
Your credit score is influenced by several financial factors, this will typically reflect when a scammer takes loans in your name.
You can burst a thief doing this by checking your finances to ensure that there are no mistakes. If you notice accounts and credit information you know nothing about, it is a sign that someone is using your SSN.
Read also: You can now cash money order with no bank account
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Strange email and snail mail
If you notice changes in your email and snail mail, someone could be using your SSN to fraudulently.
Regarding your email, you will start receiving invoices or bank statements on transactions you did not initiate.
In extreme cases, a scammer can bomb your email address. This is a technique scammers use by spamming your email address with multiple email messages to prevent you from seeing notifications relating to your financial information.
If you receive strange notifications to your snail mail on purchases you did not initiate, your SSN could be used by a scammer.
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Notifications from credit agencies
As mentioned earlier, scammers use your Social Security to obtain loans in your name. if you receive notifications from a credit company calling to inform you about an issue, someone may have used a credit line with your Social Security.
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Changes in your bank statement
Many bank account holders do not review their bank statements, so scammers usually get away with their fraudulent activities. Ensure to check your bank statements when you receive them. You can also regularly request a copy of an e-statement through your banking app.
Scrutinize the bank statement, making sure there are no strange subscriptions. If any, a scammer or a group of scammers may be using your SSN.
Test charges in your account statement are also signs that someone is using your SSN. A scammer can initiate test charges to your account to be sure that you have a positive balance they can use illegally.
Solution
You can log on to your mySSN account to check the record of your earnings. If it is not accurate, you can call the FTC at 1-877-438-4338 or file a complaint online. You can also contact the SSA via 1-800-269-0271 or notify them through the IRS Identity Protection website.
Finally, you want to inform your local police department that you believe someone is using your SSN. This will also protect you against crimes linked to you in the future. Ensure to provide the police with every information and unauthorized activity in your various accounts.
