The Social Security Administration goes to great lengths to protect the integrity of Social Security numbers. The Social Security Administration uses several measures to prevent those with criminal intent from using false or stolen birth records to get a number. A new law, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, strengthens that protection. Provisions of that law, which became effective December 17, 2005, include:

• Expanded and more stringent verification of birth records;
• Stricter requirements for proving identity and immigration status; and 
• Limits on replacement cards.

For more information about those provisions, see New Rules For Getting A Social Security Number And Card. The same law will require states to stop using Social Security numbers on driver's licenses.

Among the other protections the Social Security Administration has put into place over the past few years:

• Removing Social Security numbers from payment checks; and
• Truncating numbers on other mailings, such as the annual Social Security Statement.

These measures ensure that if someone steals your mail, they will not also be able to steal your number.

The Social Security Administration has instituted multiple measures to ensure the safety of your Social Security number, and Social Security continues to look at more and better ways to safeguard your card.