Your Social Security number is one of the most sensitive pieces of personal information you own. Too bad yours (and mine and every other American’s) has likely been leaked and sold on the Dark Web.

Before you panic, there are a few steps you can take right now to protect yourself and your identity.

Is it really that big a deal?

It sure is. Your Social Security number is the key to the castle. It’s the unique identifier that connects your financial, government and personal records.

With your SSN, criminals can open credit card accounts, apply for loans, hijack your tax refunds, use your government benefits, or even apply for jobs.
There’s an easy step you can take

To safeguard your Social Security number, use the government’s free Self Lock feature. This tool prevents your SSN from being used for unauthorized employment verifications. You’ll need an E-Verify account to do this online.

You can also request a block by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. Expect to wait on hold for a long time.
Stay proactive

The Social Security Administration also provides online access to your earnings and benefits history through its my Social Security account. It’s free to use and you can get an account even if you don’t receive benefits.

I recommend you check this once a year to make sure nothing is amiss. Check the reported income and confirm everything aligns with your actual work and benefits history.