What a Social Security number lock does
A Social Security number lock is a free service that stops someone else from using your number to open new credit accounts, take out loans, or file tax returns in your name. When your number is locked, creditors and lenders cannot pull your credit report without your permission, even if they have your correct Social Security number and other personal details.
The lock does not prevent you from using your own number. You can still explore for credit, get a job, or file taxes normally. When you want to open a new account or explore for credit, you unlock your number temporarily through the same service, the creditor checks your report, and then you lock it again.
A lock is different from a credit freeze. Both stop new accounts from being opened, but a lock is managed by Social Security directly and works at the source — it stops the credit bureaus from releasing your report in the first place. A freeze is managed by each of the three credit bureaus separately and requires you to contact each one.
Key Takeaways
- Social Security number locks are free and managed through a service called my Social Security, which you access at ssa.gov.
- You create a my Social Security account using your Social Security number, date of birth, and a mailing address Social Security has on file for you.
- Once locked, creditors cannot pull your credit report using your Social Security number, which stops most identity theft attempts before they start.
- You can unlock your number temporarily whenever you need to explore for credit, and you can lock it again when ready after the creditor checks your report.
- A lock protects against new accounts opened in your name but does not stop someone from using your number for employment fraud or tax return fraud.
How to set up a Social Security number lock
Go to ssa.gov and select "Create my Social Security account" or "Sign in to my Social Security." If you do not have an account yet, you will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and a mailing address that Social Security has on file for you — usually the address where you filed your most recent tax return or where you last contacted Social Security.
After you log in, look for the option labeled "Manage my replacement Social Security card" or "Lock my Social Security number" — the exact wording varies by when the site was last updated. Select the lock option. Social Security will ask you to confirm your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history, such as "Which of these addresses have you lived at?" or "Which lender issued this account?"
Once you answer correctly, your lock is active when ready. Social Security sends you a confirmation letter by mail within a few days. Keep this letter in a safe place — it contains your lock status and instructions for unlocking your number later.
When you need to unlock your number temporarily
When you want to explore for a credit card, mortgage, auto loan, or any other credit product, you will need to unlock your number first. Log back into my Social Security, select the unlock option, and choose how long you want the lock lifted — usually you can pick a time window from a few minutes to several weeks.
Tell the lender or creditor that your number is unlocked and for how long. They will pull your credit report during that window. Once they have checked your report, lock your number again through my Social Security. You can lock and unlock as many times as you need.
If you forget to lock your number again after a temporary unlock, the lock will reactivate automatically on the date you specified. You do not have to do anything else.
What a lock does not protect against
A Social Security number lock stops new credit accounts from being opened in your name, but it does not stop someone from using your number for other types of fraud. If someone has your number and your name, they can still try to file a false tax return, claim unemployment benefits, or get a job using your number.
A lock also does not protect you if someone uses your number to commit crimes or run up medical debt. Those situations require different responses — filing a police report, contacting the IRS, or disputing the debt directly with the creditor or collection agency.
If you suspect your number has been used for tax fraud or unemployment fraud, contact the IRS at irs.gov or call 1-800-908-4490, and contact your state's unemployment office. These agencies have their own fraud investigation processes separate from a Social Security lock.
Lock versus freeze: which one to use
A Social Security number lock and a credit freeze both stop new accounts from being opened, but they work differently and have different trade-offs. A lock is managed by Social Security and stops creditors from pulling your report at all. A freeze is managed by each of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — and tells each bureau not to release your report without your permission.
A lock is simpler because you manage it in one place. A freeze requires you to contact all three bureaus separately to lock and unlock. However, a freeze has been around longer and some older lenders may not recognize a lock yet, so they might not know to check whether your number is locked.
You can use both at the same time. Many people lock their Social Security number and also place a freeze with all three bureaus for extra protection. There is no cost for either one.
If you cannot create a my Social Security account
If you try to create an account and Social Security says it cannot verify your identity, it usually means the information you entered does not match what Social Security has on file. Check that you used the exact mailing address Social Security has for you — if you moved recently and have not updated your address with Social Security, use your old address.
If you still cannot verify your identity online, you can lock your number by mail. read the form "Request to Place, Change, or Remove Protective措施 on a Social Security Number" from ssa.gov, print it, sign it, and mail it to your local Social Security office. Call 1-800-772-1213 to find the address of the office nearest you. Locking by mail takes longer — usually two to four weeks — but it works if you cannot verify online.
If you do not have a mailing address on file with Social Security because you are homeless or living in a temporary situation, call 1-800-772-1213 and explain your situation. Social Security can sometimes work with you to set up an account using an alternative address, such as a shelter, community center, or trusted contact's address.
What happens if your lock is compromised
If someone unlocks your Social Security number without your permission, or if you discover fraudulent accounts opened in your name, contact Social Security when ready at 1-800-772-1213. Social Security can remove the lock and reapply it, and they can flag your number in their system to alert you to future suspicious activity.
Also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportidentitytheft.ftc.gov. The FTC does not investigate individual cases, but the report creates an official record that you can use when disputing fraudulent accounts with creditors or collection agencies. Keep a copy of your FTC report number.
Contact each of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — and ask them to 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. You can place a fraud alert yourself online at any of the three bureaus' websites, and it will automatically notify the other two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Social Security number lock cost anything?
No. Social Security offers locks for free. Any website that charges you to lock your Social Security number is not the official Social Security service. Go directly to ssa.gov to set up your account and lock.
Can I lock my child's Social Security number?
Yes. If your child is under 18, you can create a my Social Security account for them using their number and date of birth. You will need to verify your own identity and your relationship to the child. Locking a child's number early can prevent identity theft before they are old enough to explore for credit themselves.
Will a lock affect my credit score?
No. A lock does not change your credit score or credit history. It only stops new credit inquiries from going through. Your existing accounts and payment history remain unchanged.
What if I want to unlock my number permanently?
Log into my Social Security and select the option to remove your lock. Social Security will ask you to confirm your identity again. Once removed, your lock is gone and you can explore for credit without unlocking first. You can always lock your number again later if you want to.
Can I lock my number if I am not a U.S. citizen?
You can lock your number if you have a Social Security number, regardless of citizenship status. You will need to verify your identity through my Social Security using the same process as anyone else. If you cannot verify online, you can lock by mail using the form available on ssa.gov.