In the United States, your Social Security number is used for just about everything. You need this number to apply for a job, open a bank account, buy a new car, and much more. As it is so commonly used, most individuals will memorize their SSN and leave their physical social security card at home. But what happens if you misplace the actual document, or even worse, it gets stolen?
If your card is lost...
In this case, immediately contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to let them know. They'll be able to issue you a replacement card and luckily enough, you're allowed three free card replacements in a single year, and up to 10 free cards over the course of your lifetime.
Follow these steps to request your replacement card:
Go to the Social Security Administration website to determine what original documents you have on hand to verify your citizenship, age and identity.
Print and complete the Social Security card application.
Mail the application and original documents to your local Social Security Administration office. You can locate your nearest SSA office by clicking HERE.
**All local SSA offices are currently closed for in-person service due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If your card is stolen...
Contact your local authorities and file a police report. You'll need this on record in case the thief decides to use your information to commit identity theft. Be sure to retain any documents or receipts throughout this process. Once your report is filed, reach out to the Social Security Administration to alert them of the theft.
In many cases, you'll just need to request a replacement card and enable a Fraud Alert on your credit report. This will require that lenders take a few extra steps to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name (or under your SSN). You can read more about enabling Fraud Alerts HERE.
If you become a victim of identity theft or fraud after losing your Social Security card, and you can provide strong evidence that you've continually been disadvantaged by this situation since then, you may be able to apply for a new Social Security number. In this scenario, your old number will still remain assigned to you and the records associated with that SSN will still exist, but you will essentially have a "clean slate" moving forward. Though this may sound like a good option, it also means that you might forfeit a great credit history which you had previously maintained. You could also find it difficult to apply for new lines of credit as you will have no longer have an affiliated credit history.
Should you have additional questions or concerns regarding a lost or stolen Social Security card, don't hesitate to reach out to our team of security experts.