realistically, how much financial damage could be done if your social security number were to be stolen?
all of it
>>2434830
how? they can't actually access my bank account or anything, can they?
>>2434818
to open any credit card or access any account that doesn't have a backup system that uses code words, most companies will fall back on your public information, as long as you have your social security number secured.
So if a bad person combines those two pieces of information they can indeed to a lot of damaging things to your your future credit history and exceptional thieves can access your current stuff.
Some things can limit the damage, like a self credit freeze which doesn't allow any new lines of credit (costs a little money) or asking your current banks/accounts to not allow major changes without a meeting in person for example.