How to lock your Social Security number: 4 ways to put a lock on your SSN

What does it mean to lock your SSN (Social Security number)?

Locking your SSN (Social Security number) means using specific protective tools that prevent identity thieves who have obtained your SSN from getting a job under your name, file for unemployment, claim government assistance, or steal your tax refunds.

Keep in mind that you can only “lock” your SSN, but you can’t “freeze” or “disable” it. Locking your SSN refers to limiting its use in different systems such as your Social Security Administration records, E-Verify employment checks, and credit bureau files by blocking electronic and automated access.

SSN lock vs. credit freeze: What’s the difference?

An SSN lock and a credit freeze protect against different types of identity threats. A credit freeze (also called a security freeze) blocks access to your credit report at the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. When you freeze your credit, lenders can’t view your credit file, which means identity thieves can’t open new credit accounts in your name.

An SSN lock through the Social Security Administration, on the other hand, restricts electronic access to your Social Security file and prevents someone from making changes to your personal records. You can also place an E-Verify lock on your SSN, which will protect your number from being used for employment verification and stop fraudsters from using your identity to get a job.

Can you lock your Social Security number?

Yes, you can lock your Social Security number to prevent unauthorized use. While there’s no single “master switch” to lock your SSN everywhere at once, you can protect it across multiple systems, including:

• Social Security Administration (SSA). Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to block electronic access to your Social Security records and prevent fraudsters from making changes to your Social Security account.
• E-Verify. Lock your SSN in your E-Verify account to prevent the number from being used for employment verification, which stops bad actors from getting a job in your name.
• Credit bureaus. Freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to stop criminals from opening new accounts in your name using your SSN.
• IRS. Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) through your IRS online account to prevent someone from filing fraudulent tax returns under your name using your SSN.

Each of these locks protects a different area, so using them together gives you the most comprehensive protection.

When should you lock your Social Security number?

You should lock your SSN immediately if you suspect your personal information has been compromised or you’ve become a victim of identity theft. 

The key situations when you should lock your SSN include:

• After a data breach. If you learn that your personal information was exposed in a data breach, lock your SSN immediately to prevent fraudsters from using it for illegitimate purposes.
• If you lose your SSN card. If you lose your SSN card or your wallet containing it, or if it was stolen, lock your number right away.
• If you suspect identity theft. Warning signs include unfamiliar accounts on your credit report, denied credit applications you didn’t submit, or debt collectors calling about debts that aren’t yours.
• If you suspect employment identity theft. Red flags include receiving IRS notices about unreported income from employers you never worked for, unexpected tax forms, or notifications about unemployment benefits you didn’t file for.

Why lock your Social Security number?

Your Social Security number is one of the most sensitive pieces of personally identifiable information (PII) you have. Understanding what someone can do with your Social Security number helps explain why it’s important to have identity theft protection in place.

When your SSN falls into the wrong hands, you face several serious risks:

• Identity theft. Criminals can use your SSN to steal your identity, which may lead to long-term financial and legal consequences.
• Fraudulent credit applications. Scammers can open credit cards, take out loans, or apply for mortgages in your name. This damages your credit score and leaves you with debt you never created.
• Employment fraud. Bad actors can use your SSN to get a job. Their wages then get reported under your number, which creates tax problems, affects your Social Security benefits, and potentially triggers IRS audits.
• Tax fraud. Fraudsters can file fake tax returns using your SSN to claim refunds before you file your legitimate return.
• Government benefits theft. Criminals can use your SSN to claim unemployment benefits, Social Security benefits, or other government assistance in your name.
• Financial losses. A stolen SSN can tank your credit, empty your savings, and create financial headaches that follow you for years.

You can unlock your SSN at any time through the same system you used to lock it.

How to lock your Social Security number

There are several official methods to restrict how your SSN can be used, and each one protects against different types of fraud. The strongest protection comes from using all four methods together — blocking access through the Social Security Administration, E-Verify, the credit bureaus, and the IRS.

1. Lock your SSN by contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA)

Blocking electronic access through the SSA prevents identity thieves from creating or changing your Social Security account online and stops automated access to your Social Security records. This is your first line of defense against benefit theft and account takeover.

Block electronic access by taking the following steps:

1. Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 during business hours.
2. Tell the representative you want to block electronic access to your Social Security record.
3. You’ll need to answer security questions to verify your identity.
4. Once the block is in place, no one — including you — can access or change your information through automated phone systems or online.
5. If you need to access your account later, call the same number and verify your identity to lift the block.

Locking your SSN through the SSA prevents criminals from accessing your Social Security benefits, changing your direct deposit information, or creating fraudulent Social Security accounts.

2. Lock your SSN by placing a self-lock in the E-Verify system

The E-Verify self-lock prevents your SSN from being used for employment verification. Take these easy steps to place the self-lock:

1. Go to myeverify.uscis.gov and create a free myE-Verify account.
2. You’ll need to provide an email address, create a password, and set up two-step verification.
3. Once logged in, navigate to the “Self Lock” section in your account.
4. Select and answer three security questions to activate the lock.
5. The lock expires after one year, so you’ll need to renew it if you want to keep it active.

This E-Verify lock feature stops employment identity theft and prevents criminals from working under your SSN or claiming unemployment benefits in your name. 

3. Lock your SSN by freezing your credit with the credit bureaus

A credit freeze blocks lenders from accessing your credit report, which prevents identity thieves from opening new credit cards, loans, or other accounts in your name. You need to freeze your credit separately with each credit bureau. The easiest way to do it is on their respective dedicated webpages. 

• Equifax: Visit www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services to place a freeze.
• Experian: Go to www.experian.com/freeze/center.html to freeze your credit online.
• TransUnion: Open www.transunion.com/credit-freeze and place your credit freeze.

For an in-depth look into the topic, check out our article on how to freeze your credit.

4. Lock your SSN by getting an IRS IP PIN

An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number that only you know, which prevents someone else from filing a fraudulent tax return using your SSN. Even if criminals get their hands on your SSN, they won’t be able to file taxes in your name without your IRS IP PIN.

To get an IRS IP PIN, do the following:

1. Create or log into your IRS account. Visit www.irs.gov and sign in with your ID.me credentials or create a new account.
2. Navigate to your profile page. Once logged in, go to the “Profile” section where you’ll find the IP PIN option.
3. Request your IP PIN. Click “Get an IP PIN” and the system will generate your six-digit number immediately if you’re eligible.
4. Save your IP PIN. You’ll need to enter this PIN every time you file a tax return, so store it securely.
5. Get a new PIN each year. The IRS issues a new IP PIN annually, which you can retrieve through your online account.

Alternative method: If you can’t access your account online, you can call 1-800-908-4490 (Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time) or schedule a visit at a Taxpayer Assistance Center.

Other tips for protecting your SSN

Beyond locking your SSN, these extra steps can make it even harder for criminals to misuse your Social Security number:

• Keep your Social Security card at home in a secure place instead of carrying it in your wallet, which could easily be lost or stolen.
• Before giving out your number, ask why it’s needed, how it will be used, and whether there’s an alternative identifier you can provide instead.
• Never share your SSN over the phone with unsolicited callers or in response to unexpected emails or texts — scammers often pose as legitimate organizations.
• Check your bank statements, credit card activity, and credit reports regularly for unfamiliar transactions or accounts that could signal someone is using your SSN.
• Identity protection tools like Coveron offer credit monitoring and dark web monitoring that alert you immediately if your SSN shows up in a breach or is used for fraudulent activity, helping you stop identity theft before it spirals.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit file with one of the three credit bureaus. A fraud alert requires lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts.
• Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication on accounts that contain sensitive information, especially financial and government websites.
• Shred tax forms, medical records, and financial statements before throwing them away to prevent criminals from stealing your SSN through dumpster diving.

Want more tips? Check out our guide on how to protect your SSN.

What should you do if your SSN is compromised?

If your Social Security number is exposed or misused, you should act fast to limit the damage. Do this immediately:

• Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to freeze your credit.
• Place a fraud alert with one of the three credit bureaus to require lenders to verify your identity before approving new credit.
• File an identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov to create an official record and get a recovery plan.
• Alert your bank and credit card companies immediately to close fraudulent accounts and dispute unauthorized charges.
• Pull your credit reports from all three bureaus and review them for unfamiliar accounts, inquiries, or address changes.
• Update passwords on financial accounts and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible to secure your online access, if you haven’t already.
• Monitor your bank statements, credit reports, and benefit accounts regularly for ongoing signs of fraud.

Not sure if your SSN has been compromised? Learn how to know if someone is using your SSN. For a complete step-by-step guide, check out what to do if someone has your SSN or read about what to do if your SSN is found on the dark web.