What is employment identity theft?
Definition
Employment identity theft is when someone uses your Social Security number or other personal information to get or keep a job, so their wages show up under your name.
- Category
- Identity
- Also called
- employment-related identity theft, job identity theft
- Last updated
In this kind of fraud, the thief doesn't need your money. They need a name and a Social Security number (SSN) that will pass a hiring check. They give your details to an employer, and the employer reports the wages to the government under your SSN.
The IRS calls it "non-tax" identity theft, because no fraudulent tax return has to be filed. The trouble shows up later. The thief's income can appear in your IRS records as wages you never earned, which can lead to a tax bill you don't owe. The IRS says it can affect anyone, including children and people who don't file returns.
How you find out
Usually through a letter from the IRS saying you under-reported income, or a notice from the Social Security Administration that your earnings record doesn't match what you reported. Some people only notice when their own tax return is rejected or a tax bill arrives for an employer they've never heard of.
Employment identity theft vs. tax identity theft
Tax identity theft usually means someone files a return in your name to claim your refund. The FTC groups both under tax identity theft, since the SSN is misused for a refund or to get a job. With employment fraud the thief is working under your number. With refund fraud they're filing under it.
Why your SSN matters most
An SSN is hard to change and works as a master key for credit, taxes and benefits. If it's exposed in a data breach or listed on a people-search site next to your name and date of birth, a thief has most of what they need.
How to protect yourself
- 1
Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN
The IRS recommends an IP PIN to protect your tax account from tax-related identity theft. You can get one online at IRS.gov/ippin, or ask about alternatives if you can't verify online.
- 2
Lock your SSN for employment use
The IRS points to a lock through the Department of Homeland Security that stops anyone else from using your SSN for employment checks. Look up the current steps on the IRS and DHS sites before you start.
- 3
Report it at IdentityTheft.gov
The FTC's IdentityTheft.gov gives you a recovery plan and a report. The IRS says to file only one Form 14039 per incident, either directly or through the FTC, and that most people don't need to file it unless the IRS asks or a breach exposed their SSN.
- 4
Read IRS and SSA letters when they arrive
A notice about income from an employer you don't know is the usual first sign. Don't ignore it. Reply using the contact details on the official letter, not a number from an email or text.
- 5
Keep your SSN out of easy reach
Serus finds where your personal details are listed on data brokers and people-search sites and removes them, so your SSN, birth date and address are harder to put together.
See where your personal data is exposed
Serus finds it on data brokers and people-search sites and removes it.
Frequently asked
Can someone work under my Social Security number?
Yes. Employment identity theft is when someone uses another person's SSN to get or keep a job, and the wages are reported under the victim's number. The IRS treats it as a form of identity theft that doesn't involve a fraudulent tax return.
Do I need to file Form 14039 if my SSN was used for a job?
Often not. The IRS says most people don't need to file it, and not to file if it has already sent you a letter or notice. Check the IRS employment-related identity theft page for what applies to you.
Does this affect children?
It can. The IRS says this kind of identity theft can affect anyone, including minor children and people who don't file tax returns, which is why a child's SSN is worth protecting too.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.