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Someone Stole My Social Security Card – Your social security number is one of your most important pieces of personal information, so losing your social security card can have consequences.
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Someone Stole My Social Security Card
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Identity theft can have serious consequences, including damage to your credit score and loss of money. Unfortunately, if you lose your Social Security card and the wrong people keep it, it puts you at serious risk of identity theft. See why losing your card is a big deal and what to do if it happens to you, including recommendations for better protection against identity theft.
In the United States, almost every legal resident has been assigned a Social Security number. This is a unique identification number that many government agencies and private businesses rely on.
What Happens If You Lose Your Social Security Card?
Social security numbers are provided on a Social Security card, which comes from the Social Security Administration. Parents can apply for a social security number for a newborn child and will be sent a card for that child. Adults can apply for one with proper proof of citizenship and ID.
These are just a few of the many ways a social security number can be used. As a result, if someone takes your Social Security card and gets your number from it, you are at serious risk of identity theft.
That person could use your card to steal your benefits, apply for credit in your name, file a tax return in your name and get a refund, or even apply for a passport.
If you (or your parents) lose your card and don’t know your Social Security number, you may have trouble applying for credit or doing any of the other tasks listed above. Fraudsters could take your social security number from your card and use it to steal your identity. And you won’t have the card to show potential employers or others who need to see the card to verify your identity.
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If your Social Security card is lost, you’ll want to take smart steps to protect your identity and ensure you have a replacement card when you need it. Here’s what you should do.
You can’t freeze your Social Security number, and if you suspect someone is misusing your number, the Social Security Administration can’t help you. Even if you decide to try applying for a new number, this usually won’t solve your identity theft issues because credit reporting agencies and government agencies will still have the old number on file.
What you can do, however, is freeze the security on your credit. A credit freeze involves contacting the three major credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — and telling the credit bureaus not to provide access to your credit report.
When identity thieves have your social security number and want to do something with it, like apply for credit in your name, they will provide your number to potential lenders, who would then go and try to check your credit your history. If there is a freeze on your credit file, these lenders will not have access to your report and likely will not allow the fraudster to open a line of credit in your name.
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If you suspect your Social Security card has been taken, or if your wallet or purse with your Social Security card has been stolen, you should contact your local police department to file a report.
The police can investigate the theft and possibly take action against fraudsters who have stolen your information. You may also need the police report later to provide evidence that your identity has been stolen.
If your social security number has been compromised, you can also file a fraud alert with the credit reporting bureaus. This will provide notice to creditors that they should take extra steps to verify your identity due to the high risk of a fraudster using your information.
When you place a fraud alert, it will last for one year and you can renew it after that. You can also get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major reporting agencies after the alert is placed.
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If you have actually been a victim of identity theft, you can also file an extended fraud alert on your credit report. You will only qualify for one if you file a report with the FTC at identitytheft.gov and/or if you file a police report.
Monitoring your credit report will quickly alert you if someone is misusing your social security number to open new credit accounts in your name. You can usually get a free copy annually from each of the major credit reporting agencies at www.annualcreditreport.com. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, credit reporting companies are offering weekly online credit reports until the end of 2023.
After you receive a copy of your report, you should look closely to see if there is anything suspicious on it. This could include inquiries (requests for your credit information) from companies you never contacted, as well as files on credit accounts you didn’t open. unexplained charges on your cards. or court orders or other legal actions against you that you did not know about.
You can request a replacement Social Security card if yours has been lost or stolen. You can complete the request online or in person and your card will be mailed to you. The Social Security website to request a replacement card is ssa.gov/ssnumber.
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You will need to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport, as well as a birth certificate or other proof of your birth, such as a hospital record. Proof of identity such as a driver’s license or passport is also required.
Parents can also apply for a new Social Security card for a child who has not yet been assigned a Social Security number. They can apply at the hospital after the baby is born or at a Social Security office. Parents will need to provide proof of citizenship, such as birth certificates, as well as other evidence of eligibility, such as doctor’s records. school or daycare records; or adoption decrees.
Identity theft protection services can help you fight identity theft by monitoring your credit and alerting you to anything suspicious. Many identity protection services will also help you deal with identity theft should the worst happen. Here is a list of services that offer identity theft protection:
You can open a My Social Security account to make sure no one opens an account in your name and gets your information. Your Social Security account will also allow you to track your earnings record so you can make sure no one is using your Social Security card to work.
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Keeping your card in a safe at home, in a safe at the bank or in another secure location could also reduce the risk of loss or theft. You should avoid carrying your Social Security card in your wallet or purse unless there is a specific need to carry the card, such as to provide the information to an employer after being hired for work.
Avoid giving out access to your card or Social Security number unless you really need to, and never give out that information unless you’re sure you can trust the person or company you’re showing that information to. Always ask why you are required to provide your information and what will happen if you refuse to do so.
You can ask the Social Security Administration to block online access to your Social Security record if you know your information has been compromised. To do this, you will need to call 1-800-772-1213. Once you block access, no one can change your personal information online or over the phone — including you.
You cannot freeze a social security number. You can block access to your Social Security record, which will prevent you or others from making changes to your personal information online or over the phone. Contact 800-772-1213 to do this.
What To Do If You Lose Your Social Security Card
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