
Lost My Social Security Card – Many people find that they need to change or correct their Social Security information when they get married or divorced and change their names. Or they need a replacement Social Security card when they realize they’ve lost their original or it’s been stolen. Here’s how to handle these situations.
If you need to replace your Social Security card, without any other changes, you can apply for a new card online at the Social Security website.
You must be a US citizen 18 years of age or older with a US mailing address and provide information from a state-issued driver’s license or state-issued ID from a participating state or the District of Columbia.
Note that you can also request a new Social Security card by filling out an application and returning it by mail to your local Social Security Administration office. Alternatively, applicants can go to their local social security office and fill out an application there.
The steps for renewing your card after a name change are similar to the steps for applying for the card in the first place. You’ll need to fill out the Social Security Administration’s Form SS-5: Application for a Social Security Card and gather supporting documents to prove your age, identity, and citizenship.
Form SS-5 is a one-page form with 18 items. Most of these items should be easy for you to complete. You can print this form and fill it out by hand or fill it out as a PDF and then print it.
You will also need to collect the documents you need to send with the card to prove your identity, age, citizenship and, if applicable, your immigration status or the documents of the person applying for the card on your behalf. . These documents usually include:
The Social Security Administration will only accept originals or copies certified by the agency that issued the original. You cannot use photocopies, even notarized ones.
If you plan to send your documents to the Social Security Administration, obtain a certified copy of your driver’s license from your state Department of Motor Vehicles instead of sending the original to protect against loss or theft.
The final step is to mail or in person the SS-5 form and your documents to your local Social Security office or center. You can find the address online using the Social Security Administration’s field office locator.
If you apply by mail, the office or center will return your documents to you along with your new social security card. (Note that anyone over the age of 12 applying for an original Social Security number must appear for an in-person interview.)
One advantage of going in person is that you avoid the possibility of sensitive or difficult-to-replace personal documents, such as an original birth certificate, driver’s license or passport, being lost or stolen in the mail. If you have questions, you can call the office ahead of time and ask what documents you need to bring with you.
Your Social Security Number (SSN) is a nine-digit number that identifies you in the Social Security Administration system and allows the government to calculate your Social Security benefits. Usually assigned at birth, the SSN is used in other ways to verify your identity, such as a voter ID.
If you forget your SSN, you can find it on your bank statement or similar document. It may also be at your doctor’s office. Otherwise, contact Social Security.
To replace your Social Security card, you’ll need a form of government identification, such as a driver’s license. Passports are also accepted. Proof of age and citizenship is required.
Don’t worry if you need to replace or renew your Social Security card due to loss, theft, name change or other circumstances. The process is very simple and can usually be completed online or in person. The Social Security Administration says it usually takes seven to ten business days to process your application and mail your card, but it can take up to four weeks.
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By clicking the “Accept all cookies” button, you agree to store cookies on your device to improve website navigation, analyze website usage, and assist with our marketing efforts. Losing your Social Security card is not a tragedy. After all, you rarely have to show your card anywhere. It is important to know your social security number.
But what happens if you lose Social Security? If your lost card falls into the hands of fraudsters or cybercriminals, they can access your Social Security number and cause significant damage.
Armed with your Social Security number, criminals can take out loans or open credit card accounts in your name. They can access your online banking or credit card accounts, using your money to buy electronics, expensive restaurants, hotel stays, and anything else they want.
Some may even use your Social Security number to file income taxes and file any tax refunds on your behalf. Others can sell your Social Security to bidders on the dark web.
It’s important to help protect yourself from potential identity theft. Yes, you can order a replacement card, but your priority should be to prevent criminals from using your social security number to wreak havoc on your financial life.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help prevent the damage that thieves can do even if they steal your Social Security.
Submitting a fraud alert to the three national credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — prompts creditors or lenders to take extra steps to verify that you’re applying for a new loan or credit card and not someone you pretend to be.
For example, if someone applies for a new credit card on your behalf, the credit card company may call you at the number you provided. You can then check if you’ve applied for a card or if someone is fraudulently trying to open an account in your name.
You only need to alert one of the three credit bureaus, and that bureau will contact the other two. Your fraud alert will stay on your credit file for one year. You have the option
to renew your alert after the one-year period ends.
Best of all, setting up a fraud alert is free. To place an alert on your credit files, you can contact the offices at:
You want to spot the signs of identity theft as soon as possible. If you’ve lost your Social Security card, you should order copies of your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Generally, you are allowed one free report from each office each year. Due to economic uncertainty following COVID-19, one report may be ordered from each office each week. This makes it easier to check credit reports for suspicious activity.
After you get your statements, check to see if there are any credit cards or loans you never opened. Strange accounts on your credit reports are a sign that someone is using your identity.
It’s important to check your online banking and credit card accounts for suspicious purchases or large withdrawals, as criminals may have used your Social Security number to access these accounts. If you’re particularly concerned about identity theft, try checking these online accounts daily for suspicious activity.
If you notice anything unusual on your credit reports, bank accounts, or credit card accounts, contact the bank, financial institution, or lender associated with those accounts.
Explain that you recently lost your Social Security number and suspect that a criminal is using your Social Security number to make purchases in your name, obtain fraudulent loans, or open credit card accounts using your information.
Remember that you are not responsible for these fraudulent purchases, but you should report them. Ask your bank or credit card provider to close your cards and bank accounts to stop any further purchases or withdrawals.
The next thing you’ll want to do if you lose your Social Security card is change the passwords on your online accounts. You want to make it as difficult as possible for an identity thief to access these accounts, and protecting them with strong passwords is an easy step.
You can freeze your credit with three credit bureaus and get extra protection from fraudsters. Even when you (or someone else using your name) applies for a new loan or credit card, a freeze prevents lenders, credit card providers, and other creditors from accessing your credit report.
Because lenders and borrowers cannot access
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