What To Do If You Lose Your Social Security Card

Losing your social security card is a nerve wracking experience. Was it stolen? Is someone using your information to steal your identity? How will you replace it? How long does it take?

Don’t worry, I’ve created a guide for what you should do if your social security card is stolen. Not only will this guide help you replace your card, it will help you understand the dangers associated with your social security number being out there and how you can protect yourself from digital threats.

Do I Need a Physical Social Security Replacement Card?

A Social Security number (SSN) is what helps you get jobs and collect Social Security benefits and other government services. An SSN is essential; the physical card is less so. In most cases, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), knowing your SSN is sufficient.

For example, if you want to get a Real ID to fly domestically or access certain federal facilities, an SS card isn’t necessary. Rather, you could use a recent pay stub, a W-2, an SSA-1099 (the SS Benefit Statement), or other tax documents that show your full name. Even just knowing your SSN can serve as proof, believe it or not.

How Thieves Can Profit From Your Social Security Card

That being said, if your SS card has fallen into the wrong hands, you may be at risk of identity theft. Thieves can use your SSN to:

• Apply for credit in your name and then not pay the bills, which can damage your credit score1
• Apply for jobs
• Apply for passports
• File taxes
• Open financial accounts
• Get medical care
• Enroll in health insurance
• Commit crimes
• Get a driver’s license
• Steal your benefits2

What To Do if Your Social Security Card Is Lost or Stolen

Even though having an SS card may not be necessary, many people will want to replace it, and you can complete that process online or offline.

Request a New Social Security Card Online

To request a new SS card online, create a My Social Security account3 or log on to your existing account. This applies to residents of all U.S. states except seven:

• Alabama
• Minnesota
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• West Virginia

If you live in any of the above states, go to the next section (about requesting a new SS card offline).

If you live in an eligible state, there are a few more requirements to request a new SS card online:

• You are a U.S. citizen age 18 or older.
• You have a U.S. mailing address, which includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses.
• You aren’t requesting any changes to the card, just a new card.
• Your driver’s license or state identification card is from one of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C. (In Alaska, Delaware, and Washington specifically, you’ll need a driver’s license.)

After you request a new card, you should get a replacement within 10 to 14 days.4

Request a New Social Security Card Offline

You don’t need to use the internet to request a new SS card, however. You can also:

• Call 1-800-772-1213.
• Visit your local SS office.

If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, call 1-800-325-0778 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on a weekday.5

Other Steps To Take

Protecting your identity doesn’t end there. Here are a few other precautions to take after losing your SS card:

• Check your credit. Check your credit reports from all three bureaus for any unusual activity. If your report is inaccurate or incomplete, notify either the lender or creditor using the contact information below.6
• Sign up for an identity theft protection service. While we like identity theft protection services for their preventative measures, most also offer insurance in case your identity gets stolen. Since you’re at a higher risk of identity theft after losing your SS card, that insurance becomes more valuable.
• Place a freeze on your credit. A credit freeze means that identity thieves can’t use your SSN or any of your other personally identifiable information (PII) to open new accounts or take out new loans. Banks and lenders won’t be able to access your credit report, making them less likely to give out credit or loans to the thief. You can keep the credit freeze on as long as your SSN is at risk, or until you need credit or a loan yourself. To request a credit freeze, use the contact information below for the three major credit bureaus.

Follow these steps if you’re concerned about identity theft:

File a police report. Report the loss of your SS card to your local police station.
File a fraud alert. Fraud alerts make it harder for identity thieves to open accounts using your PII.7 To report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission, contact one of the three major credit bureaus using the contact information above and ask to put a fraud alert on your credit report. That bureau will contact the other two bureaus, and the fraud alert will stay on your report for a year.
File an extended fraud alert. After the first 90 days of your fraud alert, you can apply for an extended fraud alert that will last for seven years. However, you’ll need to contact each bureau separately, submitting a copy of your Identity Theft [/citation id="8"]Report.[/citation]
Call the IRS. You may have received a notice or letter from the IRS saying that it thinks someone used your SSN fraudulently. If that’s the case, call the number listed on the notice. If you didn’t receive a notice, you can contact the IRS by either calling 1-800-908-4490 or completing Form 14039,9 the Identity Theft Affidavit.10

To learn more, read our complete identity theft guide.

Requesting a Social Security Card for Your Child

Children are prone to losing things and, unfortunately, to identity theft. In fact, our child identity theft research showed that 14 percent of kids have had their identities stolen, which is a concern of over 70 percent of U.S. parents. To get your child a new SS card after it has been lost or stolen, you’ll need documents proving:

• Your child’s identity
• Your child’s U.S. citizenship, or immigration status if they’re not a U.S. citizen
• Your identity
• Your custody of or relationship to the child

All of these documents must either be originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. Once you’ve collected all the necessary documents, complete an SS card application11 and mail it, along with the documents, to your local SSA office or card center.12 Within 10 business days from the date on the receipt, you’ll receive your child’s new SS card.

How To Protect Your Social Security Card Moving Forward

In general, these are some best practices to protect yourself from identity theft, particularly regarding your SS card and your SSN number:

• Create a My Social Security account. First, create a My Social Security account on the SSA website to prevent others from doing the same if they have your SSN. Aside from choosing a strong username and password, you can strengthen this account by using your cell phone, email, or a financial question for verification. That means you’ll either use the last eight digits of your credit card (Discover, Mastercard, or Visa), W-2 info, or info from your 1040 Schedule SE (self-employment) tax form. To add extra security:
  1. Log on to My Social Security.
  2. Click on Security Settings.
  3. Click Add Extra Security.
  4. Follow the instructions.

  You’ll receive an upgrade code by mail at your home address in five to 10 business days.

• Don’t carry your card around. There’s no reason to have your SS card with you at all times. Rather, store it in a secure place at home like a locked safe or safe deposit box.
• Only share your SSN when it’s needed. Only share your SSN when it’s absolutely necessary, and don’t be afraid to ask why the requesting organization needs it, even if it’s your employer.
• Block electronic access. You can block electronic and telephone access to your SS record. This means that no one can see your PII on the internet or through the SSA’s automated telephone service, including you. To block electronic access, either go into your local SSA office or call 1-800-772-1213 (available 24/7) and ask for Form SSA-1099.
• Use identity theft protection. Identity theft protection services with fraud detection monitor criminal and financial areas for your SSN, along with all of your PII. If you have children, sign up for identity theft protection for families to get discounts and deals.

Recap

While losing your SS card is a stressful incident, a few simple steps can protect your identity now and beyond. Of course, since there’s no guaranteed way to prevent identity theft, you should learn what to do if your identity is stolen. From data breaches to misplaced SS cards, identity theft is always a possibility, but with the best practices, you can decrease your risk significantly.