Social Security number

The Trump administration launched 'Trump Accounts,' a federal savings program for eligible newborns, offering $1,000 investment accounts. The initiative targets children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, aligning with America’s 250th anniversary. Qualifying children must have a Social Security number and be under 18.

The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers are targeting individuals previously victimized by fraud, using fake recovery offers and agency badges to extract more money. The Identity Theft Resource Center's 2026 report highlights that 25.6% of identity crime victims manage multiple incidents, while 62.1% of attempted identity misuse involves new account applications. Scammers maintain 'sucker lists' of victim data, enabling repeat targeting, and stolen Social Security numbers remain vulnerable to long-term fraud due to their irreplaceable nature.

A Mesa woman's Medicaid coverage was jeopardized after someone used her Social Security number to report fake income from an oil field job in Texas. Corina, who has been on disability since 1999, filed police and federal reports but struggled with bureaucratic hurdles to prove her identity theft until media intervention secured her benefits.

A US individual fell victim to a Chinese police impersonation scam, being tricked into downloading the Tencent Zoom app 'Voov' and allowing 24/7 surveillance on their devices. The scammer accessed financial information, passport, and social security numbers, but the victim mitigated risks by freezing credit, canceling a loan, and reporting to IC3 and the FBI. The victim is concerned about device security despite wiping their PC and ending surveillance.

A Wells Fargo customer received a suspicious email via Wix claiming a missing document for an unapplied small business credit card. The message prompted a call to a number linked to an automated system requesting an application number or social security number, which the user identified as a potential scam.

A user reports being scammed after sharing personal information, including a driver's license, pay stubs, and bank account details, with a landlord requesting a 'reservation fee'. The scammer obtained the user's email, phone number, and last four bank account digits, though the Social Security Number remains secure. The user is seeking advice on next steps.

A Southern California teacher recounted her ordeal after her identity was stolen by a thief who obtained her social security number and a copy of her birth certificate. Experts provided tips for victims of identity theft.