I am so worried about my credit report and my lost social security number. Please help..Urgent!!?

Question

I am international student studying in USA. I get a social security number for work.

This year I am supposed to receive W-2 tax form, however, I cannot receive it and the sender also cannot get back the return. As you may know, the W-2 form contains my whole social security number. I am so worried that someone will misuse my SSN for other purpose.

Then, I try to get a credit report online. Even I type my SSN, it is still not available. I am so worried whether there is a problem.

Well, for me, I don't have any credit cards, loans, house mortgage, car and I don't need to pay any bill. What I have is just saving account and check account. My first question is---Can i get a credit report??

Second question---what can someone do just with my social security number?? Can they apply loan, credit card..etc.??

Thanks.Urgent!! I am so worried and sad.

Answer 1

Contact the major credit reporting agencies (listed in the sources below) about the lost SSN number, and they will flag your social and monitor it for unusual activity.

Answer 2

I'm no expert, but...

Your W-2 probably just got delayed or lost in the mail. Probably not really a problem. Ask them to issue a duplicate.

Don't know why you are having a problem getting your credit report. Go to your bank, explain your concerns, and ask them to pull up your credit report. They shouldn't mind.

If there is a problem, then resolving it could be quite a process. But you'll get through it. Be patient. Your banker may have some good advice for you along those lines as well.

If absolutely necessary, you could probably have Social Security cancel your old number and reissue. That should be a course of last resort.

Good luck.

Answer 3

People can do just about anything with a social security number if they have other information about you such as (mother's maiden name, previous addresses, age, date of birth). The number by itself doesn't mean as much... but it's definately something to safeguard.

If it makes you feel better... anyone who works for credit/finance companies has access to this information. If people REALLY want to steal your information, it will be stolen regardless if you safe guard it and it's not lost in the mail.

Your best defense is to monitor your credit report. If you can't access anything online call the credit bureaus directly.

Get a copy of your credit history from Experian, TransUnion or Equifax. You can get copies of these reports for free just by calling then and placing a fraud alert on your credit bureau. I would call all three bureaus. The credit bureau does not ask any questions and it is all automated. Credit companies MUST call you and verify information before opening an account in your name. You will need to keep placing this fraud alert on your account because it is only good for a few months, but its worth it.

You will be able to see any accounts which were opened in your name and close out any which do not belong to you.

Good luck!

Experian - 888 397 3742 or online http://www.experian.com/customer_service...

Transunion - 1-800-680-7289 or online http://www.transunion.com/sites/corporat...

Equifax - 1-888-766-0008