Skip to main content

How to Keep Your Social Security Number Safe

By U.S. News & World Report

Millions of Social Security numbers have been compromised due to a data breach at the credit reporting firm Equifax. And once your number has been viewed by potential identity thieves, there’s no way for your Social Security number to be secret again. However, there are things you can do to keep your Social Security number safe and limit the risk that a stolen Social Security number can be used against you. Here’s how to keep your Social Security information secure.

Create a my Social Security account. Workers age 18 and older are eligible to create a my Social Security account and get a personalized estimate of future Social Security payments. Establishing a my Social Security account allows you to check the accuracy of your earnings and correct errors, so that you will receive the maximum possible benefit you qualify for. The Social Security Administration points out that creating an account prevents someone else from using your Social Security number to set up an account in your name and gain access to your benefit and earning information.

[Read: 6 Social Security Calculators That Can Help You Decide When to Claim.]

Set up two-factor authentication. You can further protect your Social Security account by setting up two-factor authentication. This means that in addition to a username and password, you use a second method of identification, such as a code sent to your cellphone or email address. The Social Security Administration says using two methods of identification each time you log in better protects your account from unauthorized use and identity fraud.

“Once your information is in the hands of a business or organization or agency, there really is nothing you can do to protect it. You have to trust to them to protect it, and sometimes they don’t do a good job,” says Susan Grant, director of consumer protection and privacy at the Consumer Federation of America. “What you can control to some extent is the ease with which an impostor will be able to use it.” Two or more forms of identification makes it more difficult for impostors to break into your account.

Block electronic access to your Social Security account. If you don’t want to use a Social Security online account, consider blocking electronic access so that no one else can set up an account using your compromised Social Security number. You can stop all electronic and automated telephone access to your Social Security information. If you later change your mind about interacting with the Social Security Administration remotely, you can unblock your account.

[See: 10 Social Security Claiming Strategies That Work.]

New Medicare cards coming soon. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will begin mailing out Medicare cards without Social Security numbers printed on them beginning in April 2018 and hopes to replace all cards within a year after that. Instead, the new cards will contain a unique combination of numbers and letters. The change is intended to “prevent fraud, combat identify theft and safeguard taxpayer dollars,” according to a statement from Seema Verma, a CMS administrator.

Until the new cards arrive, Medicare beneficiaries need to take steps to avoid revealing their Social Security number every time they use their Medicare card. “Do not carry your Medicare card with you unless you absolutely need it that day because you are going to the doctor or a pharmacy,” says Amy Nofziger, regional director of the AARP Foundation. “You can make a photo copy of your Medicare card and cross out the first five numbers so you have proof that you are Medicare-eligible. Most hospitals and doctors don’t ask for it at every visit you go to.”

Don’t give out your number in unsolicited calls or emails. Some seniors receive telephone calls from people pretending to be representatives from the IRS, Social Security Administration or financial institutions who need to confirm your Social Security number. But none of those organizations is likely to reach out to you requesting your number. “They don’t need to call you and ask you for that information because they already have it,” Grant says. “No one is legitimately going to be calling and asking for that. If that happens, tell them ‘no’ and hang up.”

[Read: What is the Maximum Possible Social Security Benefit in 2017?]

Shred documents with your number. If you receive financial statements or other documents containing your Social Security number, lock them away in a safe place or shred them carefully if you don’t need them. “Make sure you put your Social Security card in a safe, locked spot in your home where you know where it is and you can grab it when you need it,” Nofziger says. “Make sure you shred documents with any personal information on it. We recommend a cross cut or confetti shredder.”

Know who really needs your number and who doesn’t. There are several organizations that require your Social Security number, including your employer, the IRS and financial institutions. But there are many other organizations that might ask for your Social Security number but don’t really need it, including hospitals, doctors, insurers, utilities, schools and retail stores. “Many forms, like those in doctors’ and dentists’ offices, have a space for your Social Security number, but it may not actually be needed if your insurance company provides its own identification number for your coverage, as most do,” says Neal Stern, a certified public accountant and member of the AICPA’s National CPA Financial Literacy Commission. “Provide your Social Security number only when it’s really needed, and don’t be afraid to ask.”

Emily Brandon is the author of “Pensionless: The 10-Step Solution for a Stress-Free Retirement.”

More from U.S. News

10 Ways to Increase Your Social Security Payments

Social Security Begins to Increase the Retirement Age

How to Undo Claiming Social Security Early

How to Keep Your Social Security Number Safe originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote