Don’t tell strangers what your SS number is

You should never, under any circumstances, give your SSN to someone who you don’t even know. The same thing applies to unsolicited emails and any other forms you might be filling out on the Internet. Usually, don’t give your SSN to anyone unless you’re 100% sure they have a good reason to ask for it.

Monitor your bank and credit card accounts

Make a habit of keeping close tabs on your bank, but also on your credit card balances. This is one of the best ways to make sure your SSN and identity won’t be compromised. Lots of banks will let you sign up for account alerts.

They might send you text messages or even call you if the transactions are way above a certain amount, but they might also do so if someone tries to use your SSN to gain access to your account. Make sure you check your credit score on a regular basis because you might be able to do it once a year free of charge.