Stop letting identity thieves have all the fun. This free SSN lock is your ultimate defense. fstop123/Getty Images

In many ways, your Social Security number is the master key to your entire life. It's not just a number; it's how you get a job, a loan and basically prove you are who you say you are. With all the massive data breaches, it's more important than ever to protect it.

But you don't have to just cross your fingers and hope for the best. There's a free, powerful defense you can use: lock your SSN and freeze your credit.

An "SSN lock" (like the E-Verify Self Lock) stops someone from using your number to get a job, while a credit freeze stops them from opening new credit cards or loans in your name. Yes, it adds an extra step when you need to apply for something, but

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