Is It Safe to Send Your SSN Over Text?

Sending a Social Security Number (SSN) via text message is not a secure practice. Standard SMS messages lack the necessary security features to protect sensitive personal information during transmission. This article explores the risks of texting an SSN, the potential outcomes of its compromise, secure alternatives for sharing sensitive data, and steps to take if your SSN is exposed.

Why Texting SSN is Risky

Standard SMS messages lack end-to-end encryption, meaning content can be vulnerable to interception as it travels across networks. This absence of encryption makes it possible for unauthorized individuals to access the information. Furthermore, phone carriers often store text message data on their servers, creating another potential point of vulnerability.

Once a text message is sent, it remains stored on both the sender’s and recipient’s devices, unencrypted. If a phone is lost or stolen, or if malicious software infiltrates a device, the SSN in past messages could be easily accessed. This persistent storage increases the risk of compromise over time. The convenience of texting does not outweigh the security risks involved with highly personal identification numbers.

Consequences of SSN Compromise

When an SSN is compromised, individuals face identity theft and financial fraud. Criminals can use an SSN to establish new lines of credit, open bank accounts, or take out loans in the victim’s name, leading to significant debt and damaged credit scores. Victims often discover this fraud when denied credit or receiving collection notices. This financial identity theft can take months or years to resolve, causing considerable financial and emotional distress.

Beyond financial implications, a compromised SSN can lead to other forms of fraud, including tax identity theft. Scammers may use a stolen SSN to file fraudulent tax returns and claim refunds, potentially delaying the processing of the victim’s legitimate return and leading to issues with the IRS. Medical identity theft is another concern, where an individual uses another’s SSN to obtain medical services or prescription drugs, which can result in incorrect medical records and unexpected bills.

Secure Alternatives for Sharing Sensitive Information

When sharing a Social Security Number or other sensitive personal information, more secure alternatives exist than standard text messaging. Secure online portals provided by legitimate organizations use encryption and access controls to protect data during submission and storage. These platforms require authentication, ensuring only authorized individuals can upload or access the information. Always verify the authenticity of any online portal before submitting sensitive data.

Encrypted email services offer a more secure method than regular email, utilizing end-to-end encryption to ensure only the intended recipient can decrypt and read the message. Services like ProtonMail, Tutanota, Hushmail, or StartMail provide enhanced security features, and some allow password-protected emails to recipients not using the same encrypted service. When using encrypted email, share any password for the encrypted content through a separate, secure communication channel, such as a phone call. Direct phone calls to verified entities, initiated to a known, official number, also offer a more secure way to convey an SSN verbally. Physical mail, sent securely, remains an option for transmitting documents containing an SSN when digital methods are not feasible or trusted.

What to Do if Your SSN is Compromised

If your SSN is compromised, taking immediate action can help mitigate potential damage. Contact the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to place a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit reports. A fraud alert requires businesses to verify your identity before extending new credit, while a credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, making it difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts. Both options are free and do not negatively impact your credit score.

Reporting identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an important next step. You can file a report online at IdentityTheft.gov, which provides a personalized recovery plan and pre-filled forms to assist in disputing fraudulent accounts. Monitoring your financial accounts, credit reports, and statements for any suspicious activity is also important. If tax fraud is suspected, notifying the IRS can help prevent criminals from filing a fraudulent tax return. Filing a police report may also be recommended, especially if you have specific information about the perpetrator or if a creditor requires it.