Top Tip: Never include your social security number in an email, instant message or phone text message. Just like a picture you send from your cell phone, you have zero control over where your SSN goes from there. It could end up anywhere, and once on the Internet, it's there forever.

Know your rights when it comes to legally protecting your Social Security number.

How can you legally protect your Social Security number?

The Social Security Administration lays it out for you.

Protecting Your Social Security Number.

Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number

Reporting Fraudulent Use of Your Social Security Number

If you're already a victim of fraud involving your SSN, you can report the fraud online directly to the Social Security Administration.

Office of the Inspector General: Fraud Reporting Form

Your Social Security Earnings Statement May Not Show Whether or Not Your SSN is Being Used Illegally

Scambusters reports:

"According to the Social Security Administration, your Social Security Statement does NOT necessarily contain any information that would lead you to know that your Social Security number had been stolen. It MAY include their earnings if someone is using your Social Security number. However, someone may well be using your Social Security number and those earning may well NOT be reflected on your Social Security Statement.

"For example, if the Social Security Administration gets reports from a variety of employers with employees who use your Social Security number, these will likely not be included on your Social Security Statement. So, although this method of finding out whether your Social Security number has been stolen seems logical, it is definitely not a definitive way to know if your Social Security number has been compromised."

Use iDefend (Tip #2) to Help Protect You from Social Security Number fraud.