Report Stolen Social Security Card

Wait For Your New Card

Once your form and all relevant documents have been submitted, itâs time to wait for your card to arrive in the mail. Typically, after processing, you can expect it to arrive within about ten to fourteen business days . Then, once your new card arrives, itâs important to take steps to ensure you wonât need to go through all of this again.

Notify The Credit Bureaus

Request a fraud alert from one of the credit bureaus. This tells banks and other creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name. A fraud alert is free and will last 90 days, unless you request an extended seven-year fraud alert and provide a police report.

Youll get a free copy of your credit report, which you should review carefully.

To request a fraud alert, contact one of the three nationwide credit bureaus.

Can I Replace My Social Security Card The Same Day

Unfortunately, you cannot replace your Social Security card the same day. You can, however, visit your local Social Security office and obtain a receipt serving as proof that you have submitted your application for a new card. This receipt can be used as evidence of a temporary card in some situations. It will take anywhere from 10-14 to process your application for a new card, but the quickest way to get the replacement is through your Social Security account online.

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Identity Theft: What You Need To Know

Identity theft cases surged in New York State in 2020, inflicting financial losses on individuals and threatening disruption to government programs as well as private financial institutions, according to Federal Trade Commission . Read the May 2021 New York State Comptroller’s report The Increasing Threat of Identity Theft to learn more

Thieves with access to personal information Social Security number, birth certificate, PIN or credit card numbers, even pre-approved credit card solicitations can steal your identity and apply for credit in your name, racking up huge debts without you even knowing that it has happeneduntil its too late. Identity thieves also use individuals personally identifiable information for a variety of other purposes, including fraudulently obtaining medical services, unemployment insurance, prescription drugs or medical insurance coverage. To protect yourself, follow these suggestions:

Safeguard Your Personal Information:

Protect Your Bank Accounts and Your Mail:

Protect Yourself on the Internet and Protect Your Computer:

• If you must use a public computer, confirm first that it is not running a desktop search engine and that the proprietor has denied users administrative privileges so they can’t install any programs that might be used to capture your emails or passwords.

If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft:

How Can I Check To See If Someone Is Using My Ssn

If you discover your Social Security card is missing or stolen, there are quite a few ways to monitor your SSN for suspicious activity. Here are 11 tactics to determine if someone is fraudulently using your SSN.

You notice early signs of identity theft

There are several tell-tale signs of identity theft, namely new credit or lender inquiries on your credit report. In 2021 alone, the FTC reported 363,092 cases of cybercriminals and scammers fraudulently opening new credit cards â which alerted consumers that their identities were stolen.

Unfamiliar charges on your credit card or bank statement

New credit cards or loan amounts arenât the only signs of identity theft. There were 32,204 reports of on existing accounts in 2021 alone. Unfamiliar charges on your credit card or bank statement are clear indicators that you are a victim of a bank scam.

A drastic change in your credit score

Your credit score is a reflection of your current credit lines, payment history, and incoming credit inquiries. If your credit score plummets 20 points or more, immediately review your credit report and Social Security Statement to check for fraudulent activity.

With your financial information at their disposal, itâs very common for identity thieves to rack up an impressive amount of debt. When debt collectors that you donât recognize begin to call you or send letters to your home, itâs important to review your current credit report.

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How To Use Idme

TWC uses ID.me to verify the identity of an individual who filed a claim for unemployment benefits. If you did not file the unemployment claim, you must not use ID.me.

Most claimants can verify their identity using the ID.me self-service webpage. You will need to submit photos of your:

You might not be able to have your identity verified using the self-service webpage if:

• The photos of your government-issued ID or your personal photo are blurry or shadowed
• If you have credit issues, such as no credit or frozen credit or your credit information is incorrect
• Or if the phone number you submit is not associated with your name.

If you cannot use the self-service option, you may be able to verify your identity during a video conference call with ID.me. To verify your identity using a video call, you will need:

What To Do If Your Social Security Card Is Lost Or Stolen

You need to act fast if you believe your Social Security Card has been lost or stolen. Hereâs what to do.

If youâve lost your Social Security card, or you believe someone has stolen your card, take immediate action. Your Social Security Number is the most important and valuable form of government identification you have. A thief can use it to do anything you could do with it, including purchasing property or opening new financial accounts.

Your Social Security Number could be sold to people staying in the U.S. illegally, or even used to commit crimes under your alias. One of the best ways to protect yourself is to invest in the best identity theft protection services , which can alert you to fraud and help you to reclaim losses from identity theft if your Social Security Card gets into the wrong hands.

Unlike with a lost or stolen credit card or debit card, you cannot close your account when your Social Security Card goes missing, so you need to take this series of steps as soon as you can.

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Fill Out And Submit Forms

The main form youâll need to submit is SS-5. This same document is used for:

• First-time applicants
• Replacement cards
• Updates or corrections

The process is slightly more streamlined for a replacement than a new or corrected card. You only need to provide one form of identification, rather than several.

That said, if youâve needed to make a correction to your card and have been waiting to, this unfortunate circumstance could provide an opportunity for you to do it. Common changes made to social security cards include:

• Updating your name after marriage or a legal name change
• Correcting an incorrect date of birth
• Reflecting a gender confirmation

Once the application is completed and submitted, all thatâs left to do is wait.

What Are The Dangers Of Losing My Social Security Card

Scammers can use your SSN to apply for credit cards or loans in your name, or commit account takeover fraud and steal or access additional personal information. One of the fastest-growing COVID-19-related identity theft crimes is tax fraud and identity theft, whereby thieves file a phony tax return in your name, hoping to snag a refund before you catch on. If your Social Security card is stolen, be sure to report the loss to the Internal Revenue Service. Another recent COVID-19 scam that cruelly exploits job losses involves filing phony unemployment claims using your SSN, birth date, name, or address.

Even if your Social Security card is not stolen or lost, you need to remain vigilant for scammers who call you claiming theres a problem with your SSN or account and try to get you to divulge personal information. If theres a legitimate problem with your number or account, the Social Security Administration will mail you a letter with your Social Security number. To learn how to respond to unsolicited robocalls or calls using caller ID spoofing, visit this SSA webpage.

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File A Report With The Applicable Authorities

You should report the potential identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT.

If you believe your Social Security card is stolen or lost, you should contact the police and file a police report. By filing an identity theft report with the police, you will help protect yourself if an identity thief uses your SSN to commit a crime. Also, a police report is required if you determine you need to get a new SSN.

Your Social Security Number Is The Key

Originally, your Social Security number was a way for the government to track your earnings and pay you retirement benefits. But over the years, it has become much more than that. It is the key to a lot of your personal information. With your name and SSN, an identity thief could open new credit and bank accounts, rent an apartment, or even get a job.

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How Does Identity Theft Occur

Your personally identifying information may be compromisedthrough a variety of methods.

Additional information can be found at:

What To Do If You Lose Your Social Security Card

Your Social Security number is valuable to identity thieves because its linked to your identity. Learn what to do if your Social Security card is stolen or lost and how to keep your personal information safe.

Reading time: 5 minutes

Highlights:

• Your Social Security number can be valuable information for identity thieves
• Consider placing a security freeze or fraud alert on your credit reports if your Social Security card is lost
• If you know your Social Security number has been stolen, there are some additional steps you can take

Your Social Security number is a valuable piece of information to identity thieves. Its a key element of your identity and is also linked to taxes and credit information. And except in limited circumstances, it cant be changed. Thats why its so worrisome to have your card lost or stolen.

Here are some steps to take for a lost or stolen Social Security card:

1. Consider placing a fraud alert or a security freeze on your credit reports or locking them. With an initial fraud alert, potential lenders and creditors are encouraged to take additional steps to verify your identity, such as contacting you by phone, before extending new credit. A fraud alert lasts for one year and can be renewed. Fraud alerts are free. Contact one of the three nationwide credit bureaus Equifax, Experian or TransUnion to request a fraud alert, and that bureau will notify the other two.

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Take 5 Steps For Better Online Security

In addition, its important to strengthen your online security to help avoid all types of online scams. Take action to improve your digital posture by following these steps:

What To Do About A Stolen Social Security Card

Your social security number is confidential for good reason: its used for work, banking, and receiving benefits. A person with access to it can take control of many accounts and assets in your nameâwith or without you knowing.

That makes your social security card immensely valuable and a ripe target for thieves and fraudsters, both out in the real world and online. Wondering what to do if your social security card is stolen? This guide will walk through everything you need to know.

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Stolen Or Lost Social Security Card: What To Do Next

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 basically everything from identification to creditworthiness, you could easily become the victim of identity theft if your card falls into the wrong hands. There are steps that you need to take immediately upon recognizing that your card has been compromised. We will outline those steps in this article as well as 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 end up causing a disaster for you.

• What is the Social Security Administrations policy on lost or stolen Social Security cards?

How Does Social Security Identity Theft Happen

There are several ways an SSN can end up with a thief. Some involve physical theft, and others can take the digital route. To what extent are SSNs at risk? Notably, there was the Equifax breach of 2017, which exposed some 147 million SSNs. Yet just because an SSN has been potentially exposed does not mean that an identity crime has been committed with it.

So, lets start with the basics: how do SSNs get stolen or exposed?

Thats quite the list. Broadly speaking, the examples above give good reasons for keeping your SSN as private and secure as possible. With that, its helpful to know that there are only a handful of situations where your SSN is required for legitimate purposes, which can help you can make decisions about how and when to give it out. The list of required cases is relatively short, such as:

• When applying for credit or a loan.
• Transactions that require IRS notification, like working with investment firms, real estate purchases, auto purchases, etc.
• Registering with a business as a full-time or contract employee .

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Report The Crime To The Police

Under California law, you can report identity theft to your local police department.1 Ask the police to issue a police report of identity theft. Give the police as much information on the theft as possible. One way to do this is to provide copies of your credit reports showing the items related to identity theft. Black out other items not related to identity theft. Give the police any new evidence you collect to add to your report. Be sure to get a copy of your police report. You will need to give copies to creditors and the credit bureaus. For more information, see Organizing Your Identity Theft Case by the Identity Theft Resource Center, available at

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What Can A Thief Do With My Social Security Number

There are numerous things that a thief can do with your SSN, and none of them are good. One of the most common things that happen when someone is using 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. Taking this action could allow them to receive a large tax refund, and then you might be on the hook later for the fraudulent return.

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