If your Social Security card is lost or stolen, it could wreak havoc on your personal affairs. Since your Social Security number is used for everything from identification to creditworthiness, you could quickly become the victim of identity theft if your card falls into the wrong hands.
You need to take steps immediately upon recognizing that your card has been compromised. This article will outline those steps and tell you what you need to do to get a replacement card. While losing your card is not good, following the advice below can help you ensure that your lost card does not cause you a disaster.
What To Do If Your Social Security Card Was Lost Or Stolen
File Police Report
If your card is lost or stolen, then you need to act immediately to help protect yourself.
When you recognize that your card was stolen, you should file a report with your local police department. Notify the authorities so that they can begin working on finding the culprit, and that police report also serves as proof that your card was stolen in case you need to work on repairing your credit later.
Notify Social Security Administration
In addition to the police, you should notify the Social Security Administration that your card is lost or stolen.
A stolen Social Security card is typically more likely to cause you problems down the road, but a lost card can cause issues, too. If you lost or misplaced your card, skip this step and move on to the next one.
Create a My Social Security Account
Make sure to register online for a my Social Security account. This online portal allows you to request a replacement card, view your earnings statements, estimate future benefits, and more. Also, make sure to claim your account so that whoever has your SS card cannot claim it fraudulently.
Create a Fraud Alert
Next, you’ll want to place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your Social Security number. This will notify the credit bureaus that your SSN has been compromised, and they will be on the lookout for anyone attempting to gain credit in your name.
Review Credit Report
You should also go ahead and take a look at your current credit report to make sure that it is accurate. Immediately report and dispute any discrepancies that you find on the report.
Once you have done the proper reporting and taken action to protect yourself against fraud, it is time to get a replacement Social Security card.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- If your Social Security card is stolen, you should file a police report. Notifying authorities serves as proof that your card was stolen and helps you combat fraudulent activity.
- In addition to a police report, you’ll want to create a fraud alert on your accounts and review your credit report regularly.
- Replacing a stolen Social Security card can be done online, in person, or by mail.
How To Apply For A Replacement Social Security Card
While you don’t need to have your Social Security card on you all the time, there are occasions where having your physical card is imperative. So, if you lose your card, you’ll need to get a replacement from the Social Security office. Thankfully, getting a replacement SS card is not extremely difficult. You’ll need to provide the proper documentation, and your new card will be mailed to you.
Apply Online
Once you have created your mySocialSecurity account, you can request a replacement card online in most states. As long as you have a United States mailing address and are making no other changes (like a name change), you only need to provide the information from your valid driver’s license or state-issued identification card to make the request. The site will guide you through the process, and you should have your new card in under 14 days.
Apply In Person or By Mail
If you live in a state that does not qualify for online requests, you must mail in the application for a new card with your documentation or visit your local Social Security office. You will need one document that proves your identity. There are a few you can choose from, and they are as follows:
- U.S. Birth Certificate
- U.S. hospital record of birth
- U.S. Passport
- Religious document showing date of birth (established before the age of 5)
- Final adoption decree (showing birth data taken from birth certificate)
It usually takes 10-14 to process the request for a new card, and you should receive it in the mail within 30 days. However, if you need your new card immediately, you can get a temporary replacement card. In actuality, it is not a temporary card. It is technically a receipt showing that your request for a replacement card has been made. However, this receipt can sometimes serve as proof of a temporary card.
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How To Protect Your Identity Going Forward
Now that you have made your initial report and have a new card on the way, what do you need to do to protect yourself in the future?
Credit Monitoring
First, you should consider signing up for a credit monitoring service to monitor your credit. This service will alert you immediately if anyone attempts to use your Social Security number to obtain a new line of credit, such as a loan or credit card.
Lock SSN with Credit Agencies
You might even consider contacting the major credit reporting agencies like Experian, Equifax, and Transunion to place a lock on your Social Security number. This would prevent anyone from using your SSN to obtain credit without going through rigorous identification verification.
Review Credit Report
Constantly watch your credit file for any suspicious activity. You can obtain a free copy of your report at annualcreditreport.com, and staying vigilant will help protect you from ID theft in the future.
Keep New Card in a Safe Place
Finally, you should keep your Social Security card safe and secure. There is really no reason to carry it with you all the time. It is best stored in a safe location and only pulled out when absolutely necessary. This can help prevent theft and accidental loss of your card.
TIP
It is a good idea to create a my Social Security account immediately following a stolen Social Security card. This will prevent a thief from establishing an account using our SSN.
The Bottom Line
A lost or stolen SS card can have many negative consequences, and you should know how to protect yourself if your card is compromised. You should know the proper steps to report the loss, get your replacement card, and protect yourself in the future.
Keeping your card safe is the best method of prevention, but there are things you can do to minimize your exposure when your card is lost. Follow the tips in this article to keep yourself and your identity safe from an identity thief.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should call your local law enforcement to report your card stolen. They can take a police report and begin an investigation into finding the thief. You should also notify the Social Security Administration and the IRS that your card has been stolen.
Notifying these agencies, in addition to the credit bureaus, will flag your SSN and make it more difficult for the thief to use it fraudulently.
Yes, you can place a freeze on your SSN. One option is to put a fraud alert on your SSN. This notifies the credit agencies that your SSN might be used illegally to commit fraud or other scams. However, people might still be able to open credit in your name.
Placing a hard freeze on your SSN might be a better option. This prevents new credit from being opened in your name without stringent identity verification.
There are numerous things that a thief can do with your SSN, and none of them are good. One of the most common things when someone uses your Social Security number is opening credit accounts in your name.
They might get credit cards, bank accounts, or loans in your name and use them to purchase items. A thief might even use your SSN to file a fraudulent tax return with the Internal Revenue Service. This action could allow them to receive a large tax refund, and you might be on the hook later for the fraudulent return.
The biggest consequence of a stolen card is identity theft. When a thief has access to your personal information, they can perform all kinds of fraudulent activity using your identification. This could be opening bank accounts or credit cards and filing fraudulent tax returns.
The SSA will replace your card at no cost. They will allow you a total of three replacements per year and a total of ten replacements during your lifetime. So, if you lose your card or have it stolen more than 10 times, you might be in trouble when it comes time to get a new card.
You can find a Social Security Administration office near you by using our SSA office locator and searching for your closest location.
