New Social Security Number??

is there a legal way to get a new social security number and not have to continue using the one I currently have???? i've heard of this being done somewhere before I just don't know how true it is, how it can be done, or if it is even legal

[Ladynred]

No... its not legal. Its called File Segregation and, if caught at it, you could do prison time.

"It is a federal crime to misrepresent your Social Security number. It also is a federal crime to obtain an EIN from the IRS under false pretenses."

Here's the page from the FTC that I copied that quote from, you might want to read it

[URL=http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/creditid.htm]FTC File Segregation[/URL]

If you go to the Social Security Administration and tell them that you're the victim of stalking or domestic violence, they'll issue you a new SSN. You'll need to sign a statement that says you're a victim of one of those things, and that you do not intend to use the new number to aviod old debts, etc. You'll also need a supporting letter/statement from a doctor, counselor, police officer or FRIEND/FAMILY MEMBER who supports your claim.

Once you have that number, you'd can NEVER use your previous addresses, phone numbers or employment info again for any credit-related matters. If you did, the credit bureaus would just link your old credit info with the new SSN, and you'd be back to square one. You'd need to get a new address, phone number, etc, at the same time you got the new SSN.

It will also help if you go through the extra trouble of changing your name in court.

Believe me, if you want to get a new SSN, it can be done with little trouble. However, if your goal is to have a new credit file, you'll need to do a lot of work to ensure that your two files never merge together again.


[url]http://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/cqcgi/@ssa.env?CQ_SESSION_KEY=GQHWISBYLFXI&CQ_CUR_DOCUMENT=2&CQ_RESULTS_DOC_TEXT=YES[/url]

[Ladynred]

Interesting.. I didn't know you could get a new SSN for those legal reasons.

It would seem to me that IF you get a new SSN, and you can never use old employer, addresses, etc. it would be pretty difficult to do a lot of things, including getting credit. With no past 'history' it would look like you just popped into existence !! LOL If you're very young, it might not raise any questions, but if you're older, it would look pretty weird.

You know what they say about a web of lies.... you usually get caught in it. Unless you have one of the really legal reason for a new SSN, sounds like more trouble than its worth.

Oh, I'm not saying it's a good idea...just that you can do it. It's illegal, and in my opinion morally wrong to do such a thing. I just post the information for people to read... taking action based on that information isn't a good idea.

Credit reports are funny things. Much of the information contained in them comes from only one source... you.

Think about it. How does Equifax know who you work for, where you live, and what your social security number and date of birth are? It's because you tell them that information. You tell it to them through all the credit applications you fill out. So, if you want to start a new credit identity, it's entirely possible, but illegal. All you need to do is fill out a credit application with new information.

As for establishing credit later in life... well, you'd be amazed how many 40+ year olds there are out there who have no credit files to speak of. Many people move into the U.S. as adults and need credit. When they apply, they have no prior history, so they have a blank file. There are also many adults who just never applied for anything in the past. Visit a rural area in a state like Idaho sometime. There's plenty of people who have no desire to deal with credit cards, mortgages, car loans, etc.

[Ladynred]

You have a point. I just never thought that much about people who never really do anything with credit. They're probably much better off w/o it anyway.

Thanks for the info though... it is interesting.