Your Social Security number may not be the most exciting thing about you — that would be your charm and dashing good looks. But to identity thieves and scammers, it’s thrilling. Those nine digits can unlock your financial identity and create chaos with your money — and your future.

It’s scary to think about the damage thieves can do. But knowledge is power. Once you understand how a stolen Social Security number can disrupt your life, you’ll see why a protection platform like LifeLock Advanced matters.

1. File a Fraudulent Tax Return

Tax identity theft is one of the most common forms of Social Security fraud. The IRS processes more than 4.6 billion tax forms each year, which means your personal and financial information is constantly moving. In 2024, the IRS and its industry partners reported record numbers of alerts and flagged filings tied to identity theft-related refund fraud.

In 2024 alone, the IRS flagged $16.5 billion in refunds for possible identity fraud. Identity thieves can file a return in your name, claim your refund and disappear before you even know it happened. That’s your money — and resolving the issue can take months or even years. Victims of tax-related identity theft may wait nearly two years for resolution, not including the time it takes to repair their finances.

Reducing your risk starts with visibility. LifeLock Advanced offers continuous monitoring for suspicious uses of your personal information and notifies you quickly so you can act early. It also provides access to customized support, including a dedicated restoration specialist to help guide you through reclaiming your identity if you become a victim.

Peace of mind matters — and so does reimbursement. In the event of fraud, LifeLock Advanced offers access to legal and expert professionals to resolve identity theft, with coverage ranging up to $1 million, stolen funds reimbursement up to $100,000, and personal expense reimbursement up to $100,000 for certain out-of-pocket expenses related to identity theft, such as lost wages or document fees.

2. Open New Credit Accounts in Your Name

Once a scammer has your Social Security number, they can apply for credit cards, personal loans and lines of credit in your name. They could rack up debt and leave you responsible for charges you never made — as if you’d ever spend hundreds of dollars on tennis shoes.

Jokes aside, the credit damage can be serious. Catching fraudulent activity early is crucial to limiting the fallout. LifeLock Advanced monitors all three credit bureaus and alerts you to new account inquiries in your name so you can respond quickly to unauthorized activity.

Credit lock features help you stay in control. You can lock your credit file and receive alerts if someone attempts to access it. Certain plans also include payday loan locks for added protection.

3. Take Over or Open Bank and Savings Accounts

With your Social Security number and a few additional details, a thief could drain your existing accounts or open new ones in your name. You worked too hard for that money.

LifeLock Advanced includes monitoring of up to five checking, savings and credit accounts. If there’s an unexpected or suspicious charge, you’ll be alerted promptly.

You’ll receive an unexpected charge alert when a transaction doesn’t match your typical spending habits and a suspicious charge alert when the system detects potential fraud based on known scam patterns. Whether you need to review a transaction or freeze a card, you’ll have the information you need to act fast.

4. Create a “Synthetic Identity”

A “synthetic identity” may sound like something from a comic book, but it’s a real and growing threat. Fraudsters combine your legitimate Social Security number with a fake name and birth date to create a new identity that doesn’t match your existing credit profile.

That fabricated identity can operate undetected for years, building credit before defaulting on loans or lines of credit. By the time it surfaces, the financial and credit damage may already be done. LifeLock Advanced continuously monitors for signs that your Social Security number is being used to build a false identity.

5. Sell Your Information on the Dark Web

The idea of your information ending up on the dark web is unsettling. But instead of panicking, you can take action.

Dark web monitoring through LifeLock Advanced helps you stay aware of potential exposure so you can respond before further damage occurs. Early alerts can give you valuable time to change passwords, freeze accounts or take other protective steps.

How To Sign Up — and Help Protect Your Data

Scammers can do serious damage with your Social Security number. But you don’t have to accept it without a fight. LifeLock Advanced helps protect your identity, your finances and your future. Explore your options and enroll in minutes.

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