Who owns ID Me?

ID.me is a privately held, venture-backed company founded by Blake Hall, who serves as its CEO, and is owned by its investors, including venture capital firms like CapitalG, Softbank, and Morgan Stanley. While not government-owned, it partners with government agencies (like the IRS) and many retailers to provide secure digital identity verification.

Is ID.me owned by the government?

The U.S. government creates and maintains your account. ID.me is a non-government account provider that contracts with government and non-government organizations. ID.me creates and maintains your account. Both accounts meet the latest federal security standards.

Is it safe to give ID.me my SSN?

ID.me will only transfer your Personal Information with your consent, to third parties in order to assist in verifying your identity or community eligibility, and as required for the prevention of fraud. ID.me has built rigorous security and privacy requirements into our technology from inception.

Is ID.me a trustworthy site?

ID.me's technology meets the federal standards for consumer authentication set by the Commerce Department and is approved as a NIST 800-63-3 IAL2 / AAL2 credential service provider by the Kantara Initiative. ID.me is committed to “No Identity Left Behind” to enable all people to have a secure digital identity.

Is ID.me a public company?

ID.me remains a privately held company and cannot be accessed on major public exchanges such as NASDAQ or NYSE. Accredited investors can invest in the top private companies like ID.me before they IPO via secondary marketplaces such as Hiive.

'Something about ID.me wasn't right': Former employee speaks amid gov't investigation

Is the IRS using ID.me now?

Yes, the IRS uses ID.me as its third-party identity verification provider to securely authenticate users for various online services, allowing taxpayers to access accounts, view records, make payments, and use tools like the IP PIN portal by verifying their identity with documents and a selfie. This process ensures only authorized individuals can access sensitive tax information, requiring users to create an ID.me account or sign in with an existing one to use features on IRS.gov. 

Should I use ID.me for Social Security?

Yes, you generally should give ID.me your Social Security Number (SSN) if you need to access services from government agencies or partner organizations (like the IRS, SSA, or unemployment) because ID.me uses it for secure identity verification to prevent fraud, but it's crucial to ensure you're on the official ID.me site (ID.me/gov) and not a phishing look-alike, as scammers impersonate them. It's a legitimate process for confirming you are who you say you are, but always be cautious about online security. 

How to find out if your SSN has been compromised?

You know your SSN is compromised by spotting red flags like unfamiliar bills, denied loan applications, unexpected debt collection calls, strange activity on your credit report (new accounts, inquiries), IRS notices about multiple tax returns or jobs, or alerts about new accounts/logins you didn't initiate, all indicating someone might be using it for fraud. Regularly checking credit reports, bank statements, and your Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount are key ways to catch these signs early, notes The Social Security Administration and IdentityTheft.gov. 

Does ID.me charge a fee?

Yes, ID.me is free for users to sign up, create an account, and verify their identity to access discounts, government services, and other benefits, with retailers paying ID.me for these verification services, not you. You can use it to securely log in to various sites, get special offers for groups like military or teachers, and even earn cash back without paying fees. 

How does ID.me make money?

ID.me generates revenue through a transaction-based model. The company charges its partners a fee for each identity verification it performs. This fee varies depending on the level of assurance required and the complexity of the verification process.

Who should you not give your SSN to?

You should not give your Social Security Number (SSN) to unsolicited callers, on unsecured documents (like checks, business cards), to schools or doctors for basic enrollment (they can often use other IDs), on public forms, or to any private entity unless absolutely necessary for a legitimate, mandatory purpose like applying for credit or certain jobs. The SSN is a key to identity theft, so only share it sparingly with trusted, official sources when you know the request is legitimate and legally required, like with your employer or the IRS. 

Can I delete my ID.me account and start over?

Yes, you can delete your ID.me account and start over, but it involves a process of closing the existing account first through their website settings (Sign In & Security > Privacy > Close Account) and then creating a new one, though ID.me keeps data for a few years, and you'll need to re-verify everything for any linked services like the VA or IRS. 

Is ID.me safe in 2025?

ID.me is generally considered safe, but it's not without risk. The platform meets industry security standards, including NIST compliance, multi-factor authentication, biometric verification, and SOC 2 Type II certification.

Why does ID.me want my Social Security?

When you verify your identity or for a community, you may need to provide personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN). Providing your SSN helps to prevent impersonation and fraud. Note: To learn more, visit the ID.me Privacy Policy.

Does ID.me run your credit?

No personally identifiable information will be retained by ID.me. Throughout the process, your information will remain completely secure. The process does not require a credit check.

Can someone else use my ID.me account?

You cannot share your ID.me account with anyone else—including a spouse, dependents, and other family members. Each person must create their own account to verify their identity. Note: Sharing your ID.me login may cause your account to be locked or suspended.

What data does ID.me collect?

Some examples of Sensitive Personal Information that may be collected include different types of personal identification numbers, including social security, driver's license, passport, or state ID card numbers as well as your geolocation information at the time of verification.

What is the purpose of having an ID.me account?

ID.me is an online identity verification service that lets you securely prove who you are to access government services (like the IRS or unemployment), get exclusive discounts by verifying group affiliations (military, teachers, medical staff), and manage your digital identity with a single login, preventing fraud and streamlining access to various online platforms. It works by verifying your identity using documents and selfies, then creating a secure digital wallet for sign-ins. 

Does ID.me make you take a selfie?

You may be asked to take a video selfie to verify your identity with ID.me. This step helps confirm that you are you, and not someone pretending to be you.

Is it a good idea to freeze your Social Security number?

Yes, you should consider locking your Social Security Number (SSN) through the E-Verify system to prevent employment-related identity theft, which stops criminals from using it for jobs, though you'll need to temporarily unlock it when you apply for work yourself. Locking your SSN is a powerful tool for stopping fraud, but it's part of a larger strategy that also includes freezing your credit with bureaus like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion to block new credit, and being cautious about sharing your SSN in general. 

Should I be worried if my SSN is on the dark web?

Yes, you should be worried if your SSN is on the dark web because it's a prime target for identity theft, allowing criminals to open accounts, get loans, file fraudulent tax returns, or commit medical/employment fraud in your name, but you can take immediate action by placing credit freezes/fraud alerts, enabling 2FA, monitoring accounts, and reporting to authorities like the FTC to minimize risks. 

Can someone access your bank account with your SSN?

Yes, someone can potentially access your bank account with your Social Security Number (SSN), especially if they also have other info like your name, DOB, and address, as thieves can use it for identity theft to open new accounts, get loans, or even drain existing ones by gaining access to your current accounts for online transfers like Zelle/Venmo, though banks do have verification processes. Your SSN is a key to your financial identity, allowing criminals to impersonate you for new credit or gain entry to existing accounts, making it vital to protect. 

What are signs someone is using my SSN?

Warning signs

Watch for unusual activity with your tax and Social Security accounts or personal and financial information, like: Tax return rejected. Form W-2 or Form 1099 from employer you didn't work for. Form 1099-G unemployment benefits you didn't get or apply for.

Are Social Security benefits being adjusted for 2025?

The 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million SSI recipients will begin on December 31, 2025. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits.)

What is the safest way to send SSN?

To send your Social Security Number (SSN) safely, use secure methods like a trusted company's secure online portal, encrypted file transfer services, or password managers with sharing features, and never send it via unencrypted email or text; if you must use email, encrypt the file and send the password separately to avoid identity theft. Always verify the recipient's legitimacy and the need for the SSN before sharing.