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Thread: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

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    Default Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    So let me say beforehand, I have already gotten permission by the SS office for me to be granted a new one (a history of identity theft, but not on my credit report). Should I get a new one? I'm weighing the pros and cons right now.

    If I get a new one, it will start my credit history over, but it also gets rid of my bankruptcy. My BR didn't even really affect me though and I already have new rewards ccs, a car loan that I'm paying off fast with a low APR, as well as a score in the 700s. Length of credit history > a BR.

    That being said, if I get a new SSN, this stuff could happen again, or it could never happen again. However, the FBI agent told me he has seen cases where once your SSN is on the black market, it can be used by a bazillion people forever. They each have different files with the same (stolen) SSN so those credit items never make it to your report. I've been so busy lately, the guy using mine with a different file... well I pulled my PI moves and played my cards right, and contacted the right legal entities, and now the illegal immigrant who is using mine is going to trial to be deported, and they have advised me to sue for damages just because (I'm not really interested in getting money for this situation, but I guess why not?).

    So has anyone changed theirs before? I know its rare and they hardly ever grant permission for this, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    If you have been granted the opportunity to do this, and not knowning what sort of future problems could still arise from your known 'stolen' SS#, I'd definitely go for a new SS#. Yes this will create short term 'problems' due to lack of credit history. But it will also eliminate any lingering BK effects and any potential instant replays from your stolen SS#, which will put you in a much better position 3 years down the road.

    In regard to the possibility that a new SS# could also be stolen, at least with a newly issued SS# you'll be in a position to 'protect' that new SS# via LifeLock, via 'religious' document shredding, etc. I had an early incident of attempted financial identity theft several years ago, which I took as a clear 'wake-up call'.

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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    I agree with Melonie that you should get a new SSN. I don't know if Lifelock does much to protect your identify. According to this article, LifeLock doesn't do anything more than notify you if someone else is using your identify:

    http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2...orts/index.htm

    The article also says that you can put a security freeze on your credit reports at the big three credit bureaus–Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. That will prevent creditors from accessing your file if a crook tries to open a new account in your name. Without access, creditors are likely to deny a credit application. You can do that with your SSN that was stolen.

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    LifeLock and similar services do provide you with advance notice that a potential credit scam is being attempted ... which usually leaves you with enough time to put a stop to it.

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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    Quote Originally Posted by Melonie View Post
    LifeLock and similar services do provide you with advance notice that a potential credit scam is being attempted ... which usually leaves you with enough time to put a stop to it.
    LifeLock doesn't really help because, I don't know if you guys realize this, but someone can use your SSN with a completely different name, and because the names are different, those items will never hit your own personal credit file (Experian, Transunion, Equifax, Innovis). They have their own personal file with a different number and your SSN. The only way I have found out about this in the past is because I had the same account or creditor that they did, and it automatically updates the address to the newest one, so I get their bills.

    I've had a fraud alert on my account for like 10 years, and it obviously did nothing because the ID thief has their own credit file.

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    Featured Member Vamp's Avatar
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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    Quote Originally Posted by GlamourRouge View Post
    LifeLock doesn't really help because, I don't know if you guys realize this, but someone can use your SSN with a completely different name, and because the names are different, those items will never hit your own personal credit file (Experian, Transunion, Equifax, Innovis). They have their own personal file with a different number and your SSN. The only way I have found out about this in the past is because I had the same account or creditor that they did, and it automatically updates the address to the newest one, so I get their bills.

    I've had a fraud alert on my account for like 10 years, and it obviously did nothing because the ID thief has their own credit file.
    If the identity theft didnt show up on your credit report, did it hurt your credit and how?
    Nature knows no indecencies; man invents them. ~ Mark Twain


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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    Quote Originally Posted by Vamp View Post
    If the identity theft didnt show up on your credit report, did it hurt your credit and how?
    It did not affect my credit, my credit history, or my score. Inquiries did not show up on my report. The accounts didn't show up on my report. The FCRA requires that account name matches your file now or they cannot add the account to your credit report, or if they do, they are required by law to remove it within 30 days.

    But its a BIG issue when your creditors send you bills to your home address and then you call them and confirm that your social security number has two accounts. Only one is mine, the other is his. This has happened 3 times now with the same guy. I have been advised by 2 attorneys to sue for damages as well just because I already know this illegal immigrant has a house, and equity in various things in my SSN so obviously I can poach all that lol. Otherwise I wouldn't even bother since he is illegal.

    They already have ICE (immigration) on the case, as well as a federal attorney and the FBI, so its obviously being taken care of now. I don't think my SSN is on the black market because he is the only issue I've ever had.

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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    Quote Originally Posted by GlamourRouge View Post
    It did not affect my credit, my credit history, or my score. Inquiries did not show up on my report. The accounts didn't show up on my report. The FCRA requires that account name matches your file now or they cannot add the account to your credit report, or if they do, they are required by law to remove it within 30 days.

    Otherwise I wouldn't even bother since he is illegal.

    They already have ICE (immigration) on the case, as well as a federal attorney and the FBI, so its obviously being taken care of now. I don't think my SSN is on the black market because he is the only issue I've ever had.
    I was curious because a couple of years ago, while opening a checking account under the new regs issued by
    Dodd Frank we caught an identity thief. Corp flagged the account and asked me about him. Turns out He was an illegal. He had gotten his false papers thru an old employer. The employer had used this SSN for all his employees. Most of them had been here for a decade still using the SSN. It was only under the new regulations that they are now catching them.

    In your case I agree with Melonie it is best to be safe then sorry. Hope it gets resolved for you.
    Nature knows no indecencies; man invents them. ~ Mark Twain


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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    Quote Originally Posted by Vamp View Post
    I was curious because a couple of years ago, while opening a checking account under the new regs issued by
    Dodd Frank we caught an identity thief. Corp flagged the account and asked me about him. Turns out He was an illegal. He had gotten his false papers thru an old employer. The employer had used this SSN for all his employees. Most of them had been here for a decade still using the SSN. It was only under the new regulations that they are now catching them.

    In your case I agree with Melonie it is best to be safe then sorry. Hope it gets resolved for you.
    Thanks. Yes that exact thing happened to me at Bank Of America in 2003 or 2004. They didn't deport him then though. They will be now!

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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    WTF??!!! this is a nightmare! i wonder if this is the case with me, too?? my purse was stolen 3 years ago and ever since then, i constantly get offers for hearing aids and retirement homes in the mail. i wonder if some old person is running around with my ss #? my social and my son's social were in my purse. at the time, i was also heavily medicated and had tons of xanax and a prescription for more xanax in my purse. they got that, too...along with cash and a shopping spree on my cards. still pisses me off.

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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    ^^^ To update, basically I pressured the FBI and ICE (immigration) and now they are planning to take the case to trial. This idiot has over a million dollars in hard assets (houses, etc), so they are going to take it to trial and take the assets (his car was already taken, looool!) and then seal my bankruptcy. He is the only one using my SSN (i totally had law enforcement check, I'm surprised they gave me that info), so I'd rather just do that and have my BR sealed so it falls off immediately and I can keep my SSN. None of this is quick process though.

    I was super diligent, writing up detailed letters with evidence and mailing them certified to whomever I could think of (IRS, SSA, ICE, FBI, all 4 credit bureaus, FTC, etc) and following up with phone calls, so they actually took it all really seriously. I contacted lawyers and a very experienced private investigator that acts more as a bounty hunter. I was even able to pull "his" credit report (my SSN) and saw that he had a bunch of accounts (contacted those too!), and also I pulled his property records, so the police got all that stuff and it persuaded them to do something about it because they obviously want the assets.

    Super happy about the results. I do not let shit like this slide.

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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    Quote Originally Posted by LAChloe View Post
    i wonder if some old person is running around with my ss #?
    Let me give you the tips below. And let me just say that, the ONLY reason I even knew someone was using my SSN was because I opened an account at a bank over 10 years ago and then sent me a debit card with his face on it, and then called the police when I went back into their branch like wtf this isn't me. Then they told me and I filed a police report then. And I didn't know he was still using it until I received a car loan bill in the mail to my address, and recognized the name. I immediately knew what was happening, but otherwise I would have had no idea.

    So, here are my tips:
    - Be very leery of bills that come to your address addressed to some random person's name. Usually it is a mistake... someone who used to live there. But major bills like credit card, car loan, or mortgage- watch for those
    - Pull your credit reports (all 4) all the time, and especially watch the "inquiry" sections. I saw some of MY inquiries on HIS credit report! (he has a different credit file, but same SSN)
    - Watch databases where strange names are tied as potential relatives
    - Make police reports of everything suspicious, including when your purse is stolen! Super important. Then mail in a $5 check and get a professional copy of it, and save it. Especially save the police report number and where you filed it. You may need that report in the future
    - If you are super concerned, hire a personal investigator that specializes in identity theft, and have them search you in private databases and see what comes up

    Honestly though, these people are sooooooo sneaky, and law enforcement doesn't care unless they are a part of a large or powerful criminal ring or own over 200k in assets that can be taken away from them. I was lucky for that, because mine is an idiot who has a bunch of assets now. I wouldn't worry too much though.

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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    TY bb. I have a police report! Thank goodness!

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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    Wow, what a mess. I say def get the new SS number and I'm glad shit is getting handled! He definitely deserves what he has coming and he picked the wrong chick to steal her social security number!!!!!!

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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    If you're being offered the opportunity to get a new one, do it. About 2 years ago my identity was stolen by hospital employees who illegally accessed my patient records and used the information to file fraudulent tax returns. I had to file a notice of fraud with the IRS and all of the credit reporting agencies. Because fraudulent tax returns were filed in my name, I get audited every single year. On top of that we have no idea what else the bastards did with my information so I'm looking into having my number changed as well.

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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    I'll be curious if you sue and how that goes. I'd totally do it if I had the time/money/energy/curiosity.

    *stolen from AutumnAmbrosia*

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    Default Re: Should I Get a New Social Security Number?

    Quote Originally Posted by BANHammerGoddess View Post
    I'll be curious if you sue and how that goes. I'd totally do it if I had the time/money/energy/curiosity.
    Its going to be a looooooooong process. Like probably 2 years. That's what I was told. They are going through ICE (immigration) first.

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