the social security number of Nicki Minaj Exposed :? Can happen to you

the social security number of Nicki Minaj Exposed :? Can happen to you -

Celebrities are equally at risk of identity theft than the average person - something rapper Nicki Minaj was discovered after a photograph contained her social security number was issued by a media last month. The old booking photo had his Social Security number on it, that the media forgot to remove before making it public. Consequently, Minaj's credit rating has fallen more than 100 points due to a high number of inquiries on your credit report. Fortunately, she was notified of the security breach at first, but many victims of this type of identity theft are not so lucky. Many people have inadvertently their Social Security numbers exposed and are not aware that long after it happens. The average time before someone discovers their Social Security number has been compromised is one year after exposure, according to Yahoo! Finance. In this period, much damage can be done to your credit and identity.

How can I prevent my social security number to be stolen?

There are a myriad of ways that your social security number may be exposed and potentially stolen. Here are some tips to help prevent it from happening:

1. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place. Do not carry in your wallet or leave it in a desk drawer at home. Instead, store it in a safe place, like a lockbox or folder in a locked cabinet. If you believe your Social Security card is lost or stolen, report the theft to the administration of social security immediately. They can issue you a new card free of charge. Make sure you go through the SSA for a replacement, rather than a third party website. Some scammers try to take advantage of people by claiming the process to obtain a new card is complicated or expensive. It is not, and anyone who claims otherwise should be regarded with suspicion.

2. Do not give your number unless absolutely necessary. Sometimes you will be asked to provide your social security number on the medical forms or rental applications. Whenever possible, you should avoid writing down or give your social security number. If the information they absolutely need, they ask that you add, and in most cases they will not say anything. In general, the only entities that need your social security number are government agencies, banks and other financial institutions, employers and the IRS. Schools, landlords / property managers, utilities and medical offices do not need your number.

3. Ask as many questions as you can. If someone asks for your Social Security number, do not hesitate to ask all the questions you can think of. Find out why they need it, it will be used, which will be shared with and how it will be stored. If there are no dire consequences to not give them your social security number, know that you are in the right to refuse. In many cases you will not even called for failure to provide.

4. Sign up for identity theft protection. These services monitor your personal information, including your Social Security number on the Internet black market. They constantly monitor to ensure that your information is not being traded, sold or used illegally. If your social security number is used by someone other than yourself, you will be notified immediately and the service will help you restore your identity and undo some of the damage that was done. Want to learn about the different services there? Check our reviews identity theft protection.

Can I get a new Social Security number?

Unfortunately, the answer is usually not. Unlike credit cards and bank account numbers, your social security number is assigned to you at birth and stays with you all your life. It is an essential part of your identity, which is why it is so important to ensure that it remains safe. According to the Administration of Social Security, if your Social Security number is used by an identity thief, you must do everything to solve the problem. If you still have problems after that, you can request a new number - however, you must be able to prove that your number is misused and it is the important origin, irreversible damage to your life. Furthermore, since the SSA points out, a new number is not necessarily a blank slate. It can even create new problems such as the inability to obtain credit because of the lack of established credit history.

The exposure of personal and private information of celebrities is a sign for the rest of us that identity theft can happen to anyone. It is important to take whatever steps you can to protect yourself and your information. Follow our identity theft protection against the blog to find out more about how you can protect your identity in all aspects of your life.