TL;DR: Look for signs like unfamiliar accounts on your credit report, IRS notices about income you didn't earn, or denial of benefits — a data breach notice alone doesn't always mean your SSN was misused.
How to Recover a Stolen Social Security Number — a clear, step-by-step guide to what to do and how long it takes.
Step 1: Confirm your SSN is actually compromised
Look for signs like unfamiliar accounts on your credit report, IRS notices about income you didn't earn, or denial of benefits — a data breach notice alone doesn't always mean your SSN was misused.
Step 2: Report it at IdentityTheft.gov
File a report describing how your SSN was exposed or misused to get an official FTC Identity Theft Report and a personalized recovery checklist.
Step 3: Place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit
Contact the credit bureaus to add a fraud alert or freeze so a stolen SSN can't be used to open new credit accounts in your name.
Step 4: Monitor your Social Security statement
Create or check your account with the Social Security Administration to review your earnings record for wages you didn't actually earn, which can indicate someone else is using your number.
Step 5: Watch for tax and benefits fraud
Keep an eye out for IRS notices about a return you didn't file or denied unemployment/benefits claims, both common signs of SSN misuse, and report them to the relevant agency.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading How to Recover Money Sent to a Scammer via Gift Card.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see How to Recover Money Sent via Wire to a Scammer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Confirm your SSN is actually compromised
Look for signs like unfamiliar accounts on your credit report, IRS notices about income you didn't earn, or denial of benefits — a data breach notice alone doesn't always mean your SSN was misused.
Step 2: Report it at IdentityTheft.gov
File a report describing how your SSN was exposed or misused to get an official FTC Identity Theft Report and a personalized recovery checklist.
Step 3: Place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit
Contact the credit bureaus to add a fraud alert or freeze so a stolen SSN can't be used to open new credit accounts in your name.
Step 4: Monitor your Social Security statement
Create or check your account with the Social Security Administration to review your earnings record for wages you didn't actually earn, which can indicate someone else is using your number.
Step 5: Watch for tax and benefits fraud
Keep an eye out for IRS notices about a return you didn't file or denied unemployment/benefits claims, both common signs of SSN misuse, and report them to the relevant agency.