How to Lock Your Social Security Number (SSN) in 5 Easy Steps  

With an ever-increasing number of cyber criminals employing advanced cyber crimes, it’s wise to do all that you can to protect your identity. By locking your Social Security number (SSN), you can prevent thieves from accessing your SSN online. You can lock your SSN online using the Department of Homeland Security’s tool, E-Verify or if you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, you can get your SSN locked by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

What Does It Mean To Lock a Social Security Number?

Locking a Social Security Number (SSN) means implementing security measures to restrict access and prevent unauthorized use of the SSN. It involves placing a credit freeze, enabling fraud alerts, implementing two-factor authentication (2FA), and safeguarding physical documents. These measures aim to protect personal information, prevent identity theft, and reduce the risk of financial fraud by limiting the availability and visibility of the SSN. Individuals can enhance their security and safeguard their financial well-being by locking up their SSNs.

How to Lock Your Social Security Number For Free Online 

The Department of Homeland Security released an online SSN lock feature to help prevent employment-related fraud. This can be done using E-Verify Self-Lock. What Self Lock does, is it prevents others from unlawfully using your SSN for employment-related purposes (employment identity theft or unemployment identity theft). This SSN lock lasts for one year, but it can be extended once the year is up.

Here’s how to lock your Social Security number (SSN) with Self Lock in five steps: 

1. Create a myE-Verify

To start, go to E-Verify and sign up for a myE-Verify account. Follow the prompts to create an account for free. 

2. Complete the application 

Once you have created a new account, myE-Verify will email you a link to begin the application. Click the link in the email and follow the prompts to complete and submit your application. 

3. Take the Identity Proofing quiz 

After you submit your application, you will be asked to take a short Identity Proofing quiz. Take this quiz to complete the new user registration process. 

4. Go to your myE-Verify dashboard and select “Manage my SSN” 

Now that you have completed all of the necessary steps to create a myE-Verify account, go to your new myE-Verify dashboard. From there, scroll down on the page and click “Manage my SSN.”  

5. Click “Lock My SSN”  

There, you will be asked to set your Self Lock challenge questions. From there, click “Lock My SSN” to lock your SSN. 

How to Unlock Your SSN Via myE-Verify 

If you’re going to lock your SSN, you should also know how to unlock your SSN. The good news is that it is pretty easy. Simply go to your myE-Verify account and click “Manage My SSN.” From there, click “Unlock My SSN” and answer the challenge questions correctly. 

Here’s how to unlock your SSN using myE-Verify:

1. Log into your myE-Verify account 
2. Scroll down and click “Manage my SSN” 
3. Click “Unlock my SSN” and answer the challenge questions correctly 

How to Lock Your Social Security Number For Free Via Phone  

In the case that your personal information has been compromised, you can contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) and request to “Block Electronic Access” to your file. To contact the SSA, call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. 

Learn more about how to lock your SSN with the Social Security Administration. 

Should I Lock My Social Security Number? 

Before you dive into the process of locking your SSN, it’s worth first asking yourself whether you need to lock your SSN. This is not a standard practice, and while it’s smart to take any measure you can to protect your sensitive information, it may not be necessary. 

To determine whether or not you’re a good candidate for an SSL lock, consider where your SSN is stored or shared. For example, compile a list of documents and institutions with access to your SSN and evaluate their security measures. Identify potential vulnerabilities, and consider any past instances of compromise. With that in mind, consider the potential vulnerabilities and risks at hand. 

Reasons to Freeze Your SSN

Freezing your SSN adds a layer of security. In doing so, it restricts access to your credit reports, preventing unauthorized accounts, and reducing the risk of identity theft and financial fraud. It also safeguards your credit history, ensuring potential lenders or creditors cannot open accounts or issue credit using your SSN without your knowledge or consent. 

Here are the leading benefits of locking your SSN: 

• Identity Theft Prevention: The leading reason to lock your SSN is to help prevent identity theft. By restricting access to your SSN, it makes it much more difficult for identity thieves to impersonate you or use your personal information for fraud. This proactive measure helps protect your financial and personal well-being.

• Financial Fraud Mitigation: Locking your SSN is a strong defense against fraud. It creates hurdles for fraudsters attempting to open accounts or apply for loans using their SSN.

• Enhanced Personal Security: Locking your SSN adds security to your personal information. It helps you control who can access sensitive data, reducing the risk of unauthorized individuals obtaining and misusing your SSN. This measure gives you peace of mind and empowers you to protect your identity.

• Reduced Risk of Unauthorized Credit Inquiries: By freezing your SSN, you limit the ability of potential lenders and creditors to access your credit reports without your consent. This means that unauthorized credit inquiries and applications in your name are less likely to occur. It helps preserve the integrity of your credit profile and prevents unauthorized accounts from being opened under your SSN.

• Proactive Measures Against Data Breaches: In the event of a data breach that may compromise your personal information, having your SSN locked adds an extra layer of protection. This way, if your other information is exposed, the restricted access to your SSN makes it more difficult for cybercriminals to exploit the stolen data effectively.

By proactively freezing your SSN, you protect yourself from fraudulent activities and maintain control over your personal information.

Additional Ways to Protect Your Identity  

Locking your SSN is just one of the many ways in which you can help prevent identity theft. Other ways include freezing your credit reports, safeguarding physical documents, being more vigilant online, and employing cybersecurity software and tools. 

Here are other ways to protect your Social Security Number (SSN): 

Freeze Your Credit Reports 

One way to lock your SSN is by freezing your credit reports. This will block anyone from pulling your credit, which is required to open new accounts in your name. You can do this for free with all three of the major credit reporting bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. 

For step-by-step information on how to freeze your credit reports:

• How to freeze your Experian credit report
• How to freeze your Equifax credit report
• How to freeze your TransUnion credit report

Keep in mind that you need to freeze your credit separately with each of the three major bureaus. Freezing your credit with just one will only offer minimal protection. 

Increase Your Online Security Measures 

Increase your online account security in an effort to protect your SSN. For example, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), use strong passwords, update passwords regularly, stay vigilant against phishing attempts, use only secure Wi-Fi networks, keep your operating software up to date, and monitor account activity and your credit report. 

Safeguard Physical Documents

Criminals don’t just find your SSN online. They can also find it in person. For this reason, it’s important to protect any physical documents you have that contain your SSN. 

Securely store physical documents in a locked location, minimize exposure by carrying only necessary documents, shred unnecessary documents before disposal, protect mail containing sensitive information, be cautious about sharing your SSN, make copies of important documents, and regularly review and dispose of outdated documents. 

Exercise Caution in Online Transactions

In general, it’s important to exercise caution when making an online transaction. To do this, only make purchases on secure websites, avoid opening suspicious emails, never click on suspicious links, and use secure payment methods. And of course, it doesn’t hurt to use strong security software to help protect your information and protect you from cyber-attacks. 

Ongoing Maintenance and Monitoring

Lastly, ongoing maintenance and monitoring are vital for maintaining the security of your SSN. By regularly checking credit reports, monitoring financial statements, staying alert for identity theft warning signs, updating contact information, considering identity theft protection services, educating yourself on new threats, and responding promptly to security breaches, you ensure the continuous protection of your SSN. 

These practices help detect and address potential issues, minimizing the risk of identity theft and financial fraud. Ongoing maintenance and monitoring are essential for maintaining the integrity of your personal information and providing long-term security for your SSN.

Bottom Line 

Locking your Social Security Number (SSN) is a good step towards protecting yourself from identity theft–especially employment identity theft. Of course, locking your SSN is only one of the many things you can do to prevent ID theft and financial losses. It’s important to stay informed, remain vigilant, and take proactive steps to safeguard your SSN and personal information. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)