What a Social Security freeze does and when you need one
A Social Security number freeze stops someone from using your number to open new accounts, take out loans, or commit identity theft in your name. The freeze does not affect your existing Social Security benefits, your credit report, or your ability to work — it only blocks new activity tied to your number that you did not authorize.
You should freeze your number if your Social Security card or number has been lost, stolen, or exposed in a data breach. You may also want one if you have been a victim of identity theft or fraud. The freeze is free and can be set up in minutes by contacting the Social Security Administration directly.
A Social Security freeze is different from a credit freeze. A credit freeze stops credit bureaus from sharing your credit report with lenders, which blocks most new credit accounts. A Social Security freeze is narrower — it only affects the Social Security Administration's records — but it is one of the most direct ways to prevent someone from using your number for fraudulent purposes.
Key Takeaways
- You can freeze your Social Security number by calling the Social Security Administration's fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271, available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time.
- A freeze prevents new accounts or loans from being opened in your name using your Social Security number, but does not affect your current benefits or employment.
- You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail within two weeks that includes a PIN you can use to lift the freeze if you need to later.
- A Social Security freeze is free and does not require you to file any paperwork or submit documents.
- If your number has been compromised, you should also place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus and consider a credit freeze for additional protection.
How to freeze your Social Security number with the SSA
Call the Social Security Administration's fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271. The line is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready when you call.
Tell the representative that you want to place a fraud freeze on your Social Security number. They will ask you questions to verify your identity, including details about your work history and any benefits you receive. Answer honestly — the questions are designed to confirm you are the person who owns the number.
Once the freeze is in place, the representative will give you a confirmation number. Write this down. Within two weeks, you will receive a confirmation letter in the mail that includes a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Keep this PIN in a safe place — you will need it if you want to lift the freeze later.
What happens after you freeze your number
After the freeze takes effect, the Social Security Administration will not issue a new Social Security card in your name, and no one can open a new Social Security account using your number. If someone tries to use your number to apply for work or benefits, the application will be flagged and rejected.
Your existing Social Security benefits continue without interruption. If you are receiving retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, those payments will not stop. If you work, your employer can still report your wages to Social Security under your frozen number.
If you need to lift the freeze temporarily — for example, to apply for a new job or a legitimate loan — you can call the same hotline and provide your PIN. The freeze can be lifted for a specific period or permanently removed.
Other steps to take if your number has been compromised
A Social Security freeze should be part of a larger protection plan. Contact the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — and place a fraud alert on your credit report. A fraud alert tells lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new accounts. This is free and takes about 15 minutes per bureau.
You can also place a credit freeze with each bureau, which is more restrictive than a fraud alert. A credit freeze blocks the bureaus from sharing your credit report with anyone, which stops most new credit accounts from being opened. Credit freezes are also free and can be lifted when you need them.
If you have already been a victim of identity theft, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC will create a recovery plan and send you a recovery guide. You can also file a police report in your local jurisdiction, which may be required by your bank or credit card company if fraudulent accounts have been opened.
When a Social Security freeze may not be enough
A Social Security freeze prevents new accounts from being opened using your number, but it does not stop someone from using your existing accounts or credit cards. If your number has been used to open accounts that already exist, you will need to contact those companies directly to dispute the charges and close the fraudulent accounts.
A freeze also does not prevent someone from using your number for employment fraud — for example, working under your name using a fake identity document. If you suspect this has happened, report it to the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
If your number has been exposed in a large data breach, consider monitoring your credit report regularly for suspicious activity. You can request a free credit report once per year from each bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com. Some people also sign up for credit monitoring services, though these are not free and are not necessary if you have placed a freeze and fraud alert.
How long a Social Security freeze lasts
A Social Security freeze remains in place until you lift it. There is no expiration date. You can keep the freeze on permanently, or you can remove it whenever you want by calling the Social Security Administration and providing your PIN.
If you lose your PIN, you can call the fraud hotline again and verify your identity to get a new one. Keep your confirmation letter in a safe place so you have the hotline number and your confirmation number if you need to contact them again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a Social Security freeze affect my credit score?
No. A Social Security freeze does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. It only prevents new Social Security accounts from being opened in your name. If you also place a credit freeze with the credit bureaus, that also does not affect your score.
Can I still get a job if my Social Security number is frozen?
Yes. A Social Security freeze does not prevent you from working. Your employer can still report your wages to Social Security under your frozen number. The freeze only blocks new Social Security accounts from being opened fraudulently in your name.
What if I need to temporarily lift my freeze to apply for a loan?
Call the Social Security Administration's fraud hotline and provide your PIN. You can request that the freeze be lifted for a specific time period, usually 30 to 90 days, or you can remove it permanently. Once you no longer need the freeze lifted, you can call back and reinstate it.
Do I need both a Social Security freeze and a credit freeze?
They protect different things. A Social Security freeze stops new Social Security accounts from being opened. A credit freeze stops new credit accounts from being opened. If your number has been compromised, both are recommended for maximum protection, but a Social Security freeze is the more direct defense against someone using your number for fraud.
What should I do if I discover fraudulent accounts have already been opened in my name?
Contact the companies that opened the accounts immediately and tell them the accounts are fraudulent. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov and consider filing a police report. You can also place a fraud alert and credit freeze with the credit bureaus to prevent additional accounts from being opened while you resolve the existing fraud.