How to Lock Your Social Security Number

Your Social Security number is the master key to your identity. With it, criminals can open credit accounts, file fraudulent tax returns, steal your benefits, and even get hired using your name. While a credit freeze protects against new credit applications, it does not stop someone from using your SSN for employment fraud. Locking your Social Security number through E-Verify Self Lock and the SSA's Electronic Access Block adds critical layers of protection that go beyond what credit freezes offer.

What Does It Mean to Lock Your SSN?

Locking your Social Security number prevents it from being used in specific systems without your explicit authorization. There are two primary ways to lock your SSN, each protecting against different types of fraud:

• E-Verify Self Lock: Prevents your SSN from being used in the E-Verify employment verification system, blocking employment identity theft
• SSA Electronic Access Block: Blocks all automated telephone and internet access to your Social Security Administration record, preventing unauthorized changes to your benefits

These locks are separate from a credit freeze and protect against different threats. For maximum protection, you should use both in combination with credit freezes at the three major bureaus.

How to Set Up E-Verify Self Lock

E-Verify Self Lock is a free feature from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that prevents anyone from using your SSN in an E-Verify employment verification case.

Step 1: Create a myE-Verify Account

1. Go to myeverify.uscis.gov
2. Click "Create Account" and follow the registration process
3. Provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and contact information
4. Verify your identity through the security questions

Step 2: Enable Self Lock

1. Log into your myE-Verify account
2. Navigate to the Self Lock section
3. Select and answer three security challenge questions — choose questions you can easily remember, as you will need them later
4. Confirm that you want to lock your SSN in E-Verify

Step 3: Manage Your Lock

• The Self Lock lasts for 1 year and can be renewed
• You will receive a notification 30 days before expiration with the option to extend
• If you need to start a new job with an E-Verify employer, log in and temporarily unlock your SSN
• After your employment is verified, re-enable the lock

How to Set Up an SSA Electronic Access Block

The SSA Electronic Access Block prevents anyone — including you — from making changes to your Social Security record through automated telephone or internet systems. This stops criminals from diverting your benefits, changing your direct deposit information, or requesting replacement cards online.

Option 1: Call the SSA

1. Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213
2. Request an "Electronic Access Block" be placed on your record
3. Verify your identity through the representative's security questions
4. Confirm the block has been applied

Option 2: Visit a Local SSA Office

1. Find your nearest Social Security office at ssa.gov/locator
2. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID
3. Request an Electronic Access Block in person

Additional Steps to Protect Your SSN

Request an IRS Identity Protection PIN

An IP PIN is a 6-digit number that prevents anyone else from filing a federal tax return using your SSN. You can request one at irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin. A new PIN is issued every year.

Freeze Your Credit at All Three Bureaus

A credit freeze prevents new credit accounts from being opened in your name:

• Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
• Experian: experian.com/freeze
• TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-freeze

Freeze Your Credit at Lesser-Known Bureaus

Beyond the big three, consider freezing your credit at specialty bureaus:

• ChexSystems: Used by banks for checking and savings accounts
• LexisNexis: Used for insurance and employment screening
• NCTUE (National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange): Used by utility companies

Monitor Your Social Security Statement

Create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount (before placing the Electronic Access Block) and review your earnings record for unfamiliar employment. Unexplained earnings from companies you never worked for are a sign of employment identity theft.

When to Temporarily Unlock Your SSN

You will need to temporarily remove the E-Verify Self Lock when:

• Starting a new job with an employer that uses E-Verify
• Going through employment reverification
• Applying for certain government benefits that require E-Verify checks

To unlock, simply log into your myE-Verify account and disable the Self Lock. Re-enable it as soon as the verification process is complete.

Comprehensive Identity Protection

Locking your SSN is one important layer of identity protection, but criminals can still use other personal information — your name, address, date of birth, and phone number — to commit fraud. This information is widely available on data broker sites and people-search engines.

PrivacyOn removes your personal information from 100+ data brokers, reducing the amount of data available to identity thieves. Combined with dark web monitoring that alerts you if your SSN or other sensitive information appears on underground marketplaces, PrivacyOn provides comprehensive protection that complements SSN locks and credit freezes.