Christopher S. Mulvaney,

Attorney and Counselor-at-Law

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THIS WEBSITE INCLUDES GENERAL INFORMATION & THE OPINIONS OF CHRISTOPHER S. MULVANEY. IT IS INTENDED TO STIMULATE A BASIS FOR QUESTIONS RELATED TO YOUR PARTICULAR FACTUAL CIRCUMSTANCES — BEFORE YOU ACT.  THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU WANT LEGAL ADVICE, PLEASE MAKE A ZOOM APPOINTMENT TO SPEAK WITH ME.

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The use of email or this form for communication with MULVANEY LAW OFFICE, PLLC does not establish an Attorney-Client Relationship. If you don’t think I have responded, please check your spam folder. Time-sensitive information should not be sent through this Form or through email. Sensitive information can be uploaded to an encrypted Dropbox folder in your client file. Google Review Link Yelp Review Link

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Gonzaga University School of Law – Spokane, Washington – Class of 2002 – Cum Laude The Latin phrase “Deo patriae, scientiis, artibus” translates to “For God and country through sciences and arts”.  The initials A.M.D.G. on the seal of Gonzaga Law School stand for Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, which is Latin for “For the Greater Glory of God” the Motto of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits): a Catholic religious order founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola.

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Protecting your Social Security number (SSN) is crucial as it’s a key piece of information for identity theft and fraud. There are a couple of primary ways to block electronic access to your SSN and protect yourself: 

1. Blocking Electronic Access with the Social Security Administration (SSA):

• How: You can request to block electronic access to your SSN by contacting the SSA directly. This can be done by calling their national toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213 or the TTY number 1-800-325-0778 for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• What it does: Once you request this block, any automated telephone and electronic access to your Social Security record will be blocked. This means neither you nor anyone else will be able to view or change your personal information online or through the automated telephone service.
• Why it’s important: This step is especially recommended if you suspect your Social Security information has been compromised. Blocking electronic access helps prevent fraudsters from accessing and potentially misusing your information to commit fraud.
• To unblock: If you need to access your information later, you can contact the SSA again and request to have the block removed. You will need to provide proof of your identity. 

LifeLock

2. Applying a Self Lock with E-Verify:

• How: The next step is to utilize the online Self Lock feature provided by E-Verify, a government service used by employers to verify employment eligibility. You can set up a Self Lock through your myE-Verify account.
• What it does: This feature essentially “locks” your SSN within E-Verify, making it difficult for anyone else to use it to authorize employment. If an employer attempts to verify employment using your locked SSN, it will result in a mismatch, or Tentative Nonconfirmation.
• Why it’s important: Self Lock helps safeguard against employment-related identity theft, where someone might use your SSN to gain employment and have their wages reported under your identity. It also provides protection even if you are not currently employed.
• To unlock: You can unlock your SSN in myE-Verify at any time if a new employer needs to confirm your employment authorization. 

Why Blocking Electronic Access to your SSN is Important:

• Prevents Identity Theft: Your SSN is a critical piece of personal information that identity thieves can use to commit various forms of fraud, including opening new accounts, filing taxes, and obtaining government benefits.
• Reduces Fraudulent Activity: Blocking electronic access and using Self Lock can significantly reduce the risk of someone using your SSN to access or modify your Social Security records, commit employment fraud, or engage in other fraudulent activities.
• Protects Your Finances and Credit: If your SSN falls into the wrong hands, it could lead to financial losses and damage to your credit score. 

Additional Protective Measures:

• Freeze Your Credit: While locking your SSN protects against some forms of fraud, it’s also advisable to freeze your credit reports with each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to prevent fraudsters from opening new credit accounts in your name.
• Monitor Your Credit: Regularly check your credit reports for any suspicious activity or inaccuracies.
• Create a my Social Security account: Setting up your own account prevents others from creating one in your name, which can help protect against unauthorized access to your information.
• Be Cautious with Your SSN: Don’t carry your Social Security card with you, and be wary of requests for your SSN.
• Consider an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS: This PIN adds an extra layer of security to your tax filings and helps prevent fraudulent tax returns from being filed in your name. 

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft and protect your sensitive information.

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Washington State residents can meet with me in Zoom/DocuSign from anywhere in the world, and I can notarize their electronic signatures because I am a remote online notary.  Just email me an image of your photo ID.