HomeCardWho Issues The Social Security Card

Who Issues The Social Security Card

What To Do If Your Ssn Is Stolen

Social Security Card & Number Not Coming After Green Card or EAD

If you discover that your Social Security number is being used by someone else or if you lose your card, there are steps you should consider taking immediately.

  • Contact the to make sure they are aware of the issue have a security or fraud alert attached to your credit report.
  • Contact the Social Security Administration to notify it of fraudulent use of your number, or the potential for it. If you lost your card, discuss the process to replace it.
  • File a police report on an actual theft of your card or use of your number.
  • Monitor your credit reports for any unauthorized use of existing credit accounts or the unauthorized opening of new accounts.

How To Get A Business Credit Card Without A Social Security Number

The most common solution to applying for a Business Credit Card without an SSN is to apply for an EIN, or Employer Identification Number. Much like the ITIN, this number is issued by the IRS for tax purposes. You as an individual will more than likely first need an ITIN or SSN to then acquire an EIN for your business. Once you have a valid EIN and can add it to your credit card application, you are much more likely to qualify for a business account. Substantial business credit or assets and income will likely be required for a reward-earning or benefit-packed account.

Enhancing The Social Security Card

In addition to developing verification systems to allow authorized users to determine if SSN information matches SSA data, SSA has also taken steps to help guard against fraudulent Social Security cards. Because an SSN is needed for work and has been adopted for many other uses, a market for counterfeit Social Security cards has developed.

SSA has taken and continues to take steps to strengthen the integrity of the Social Security card and guard against its misuse. One of the first steps was to distinguish whether cards were valid for work purposes. In 1974, SSA began assigning SSNs for nonwork purposes when such use of an SSN was authorized by law. Initially, the nonwork cards looked the same as cards issued to citizens and aliens authorized to work. In May 1982, SSA began annotating cards issued for nonwork purposes with the legend “not valid for employment.”

In 1988, to prevent photocopy counterfeits, a security feature that displays as “void” when photocopied was added. Also in 1988, legislation increased the monetary penalties for SSN violations. In September 1992, SSA began to annotate Social Security cards for aliens with temporary work authorization “valid for work only with INS authorization.”

In September 1997, SSA published its findings in the Report to Congress on Options for Enhancing the Social Security Card. The seven options that SSA developed included:

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What Matters Most: Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft

The big issue when losing a Social Security card is that a criminal might find it. And if the criminal is savvy, he or she might be able to use your Social Security number to steal your identity. Its why security experts say that you should keep your Social Security card at home in a safe place and never carry it with you in your wallet.

Your Social Security number is a true find for identity thieves.

  • They can use it to apply for loans or credit card accounts in your name. Youll get sent the bill for their borrowing or credit card purchase.
  • Thieves might also use your Social Security number to access your online bank accounts or credit card portals. They can then use your funds to pay for online goodies or rack up charges on your credit cards, again leaving you with the bill.
  • Some thieves might even use your Social Security number to fill out your income taxes. Theyll then steal any tax refund due to you.

The lesson here? If you lose your Social Security card, you need to take the steps necessary to thwart identity thieves.

Place A Fraud Alert With The Credit Bureaus

SSN Card Template

Once you’ve discovered that you’ve lost your Social Security card, place a fraud alert with the three national credit bureaus of Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. You only need to place an alert with one of the bureaus. That bureau will contact the other two.

A fraud alert requires creditors that check your to take additional steps to verify that it is really you who is requesting new credits or loans. If a lender checks your credit, the credit bureau will contact you to make sure you applied for the loan.

An initial fraud alert will remain on your credit file for one year. You have the option to renew the alert after this expiration if you are still worried about identity thieves.

Fraud alerts are fee. You can contact the bureaus here:TransUnion fraud alert

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How To Stop Social Security Check Payments

The SSA can not pay benefits for the month of a recipients death. That means if the person died in July, the check received in August must be returned. Find out how to return a check to the SSA.

If the payment is by direct deposit, notify the financial institution as soon as possible so it can return any payments received after death. For more about the requirement to return benefits for the month of a beneficiarys death, see the top of page 11 of this SSA publication.

Family members may be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits when a person getting benefits dies. Visit the SSA’s Survivors Benefits page to learn more.

How To Receive Federal Benefits

To begin receiving your federal benefits, like Social Security or veterans benefits, you must sign up for electronic payments with direct deposit.

If You Have a Bank or Credit Union Account:

  • Call the Go Direct Helpline at .

If You Don’t have a Bank or Credit Union Account:

Make Changes to an Existing Direct Deposit Account:

On Go Direct’s FAQ page, learn how to make changes to an existing direct deposit account. You also may contact the federal agency that pays your benefit for help with your enrollment.

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Use Required For Federal Tax Purposes

Internal Revenue Code section 6109 provides: “The social security account number issued to an individual for purposes of section 205 of the Social Security Act shall, except as shall otherwise be specified under regulations of the Secretary , be used as the identifying number for such individual for purposes of this title .”

The Internal Revenue Code also provides, when required by regulations prescribed by the secretary of the treasury or their delegate:

  • Inclusion in returns: Any person required under the authority of this title to make a return, statement, or other document shall include in such return, statement, or other document such identifying number as may be prescribed for securing proper identification of such person.
  • Furnishing number to other persons: Any person with respect to whom a return, statement, or other document is required under the authority of this title to be made by another person or whose identifying number is required to be shown on a return of another person shall furnish to such other person such identifying number as may be prescribed for securing their proper identification.

According to U.S. Treasury regulations, any person who, after October 31, 1962, works as an employee for wages subject to Social Security taxes, Medicare taxes, or U.S. federal income tax withholdings is required to apply for “an account number” using Form SS-5.

Types Of Social Security Cards

U.S. Citizen Struggles to Receive Social Security Card For Over 40 Years

Four different classifications of Social Security cards are issued. Such cards are issued by geographic location to:

  • persons of natural birth within the territorial boundaries of any one of the member States of the United States of America
  • persons who become U.S. citizens by oath, or birth within the exclusive legislative or territorial jurisdiction of the U.S. government
  • persons who become U.S. permanent residents
  • persons with certain restrictions.
  • There are two restricted types of Social Security cards:

    • One reads “not valid for employment.” Such cards cannot be used as proof of work authorization, and are not acceptable as a List C document on the I-9 form.
    • The other reads “valid for work only with DHS authorization”, or the older, “valid for work only with INS authorization.” These cards are issued to people who have temporary work authorization in the U.S from the Department of Homeland Security — the nation’s border agency. They can satisfy the I-9 requirement, if they are accompanied by a work authorization card.

    The cards commonly display the cardholder’s name and number.

    The new SSN card design utilizes both covert and overt security features created by the SSA and GPO design teams.

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    How Do I Make A Complaint Against Social Security

    WHO Issues Social Security numbers?

    the Social Security AdministrationThe number is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration, an independent agency of the United States government.

    Is your Social Security number on your state ID?

    Use of the SSN in State drivers license systems is already authorized by Federal law, and 29 States currently use the SSN as the drivers license number or show it on the license.

    How many Social Security numbers are issued?

    A: Social Security numbers were first issued in November 1936. To date, 453.7 million different numbers have been issued.

    Who do I talk to about my Social Security number?

    1-800-772-1213CONTACTING SOCIAL SECURITY Our toll-free number is 1-800-772-1213. Teleservice representatives are on duty to answer your calls between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Recorded information and services are available 24 hours a day and on weekends.

    Can you look up Social Security numbers?

    One way to check an employees SSN is to register with the Social Security Administration and sign up for SSNVS, a free online service. SSNVS allows users to verify one to 10 names and SSNs at a time. If you choose this option, you will receive the results immediately.

    How Social Security Numbers Work

    With very few exceptions, all U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary or working residents have a Social Security number. Even non-working residents can obtain an SSN, due to its use by businesses and government entities.

    The legal framework for assigning a Social Security number is provided under Section 205 of the Social Security Act . Social Security numbers and cards are issued by the Social Security Administration .

    Social Security numbers are now random streams of digits. However, prior to 2011, the numbers had specific purposes. In those years, the first three digits represented the area in which the individual was born or was from. The next pair of numbers was originally slated to represent a year or month of birth.

    Due to concern that this could be falsified, the Social Security Administration instead voted to have it represent a group number. Thus far, no Social Security Numbers have been reused, though there have been some cases in which two people were issued the same number.

    Scammers are everywhere, so it’s important that you keep your information safe and secure. You can avoid scams and report them directly to authorities through the Federal Trade Commission’s website.

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    What Is An Itin

    Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers are only available through the IRS when the applicant obtaining an SSN is not possible. The IRS will assign an ITIN to U.S. workers such as immigrantsâwhether documented or undocumentedâforeigners with temporary employment visas or entrants from places such as Cuba or Haiti, as well as certain lawful citizens who have survived domestic violence or other crimes and require identity protection.

    It is federally required that anyone with a U.S. income file taxes, so the ITIN allows such individuals to lawfully file this income. Residents as well as nonresidents can apply for ITINs through the Internal Revenue Service, though qualification is not guaranteed in all cases.

    Even though many card issuers will process an application using a valid ITIN, it is likely you will need to provide further identifying information. Be prepared to show a copy of your passport and/or U.S. visa if you have one. Some banks may also require that you already have some kind of relationship with them before applying for a credit card, such as holding an existing checking or savings account.

    Approvals for someone with neither a SSN or ITIN are rare, though theoretically not impossible.

    American Express Global Card Relationship

    SSN Card Template

    For existing American Express customers, the American Express Global Card Relationship program is a great option for discovering new credit cards. You can access information on available cards simply by logging into your active international Amex account.To qualify for the program you will need to provide the number for your existing international account. This account must be in good standing and have been active for at least three months prior to submitting an application for a new U.S. card.

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    Receiving Your Social Security Card And Number

    The Social Security Administration may need some time to verify your current immigration status before they can issue a Social Security Card. In most cases, a Social Security Card should be mailed to the address you listed on your application form within 14 business days. If you do not receive a Social Security Card within 3060 days, you should contact the Social Security Administration via telephone at 800-772-1213 or visit the Social Security Administration website to ask about the status of your pending application.

    The notation on the Social Security Card should read Valid for Employment Only with DHS Authorization. This clarifies to your employer that the Social Security Card itself does not give you work permission in the U.S. and that you will need to obtain separate work permission in order to start working. To find out more about employment authorization, please contact a staff member at the ISSO or visit the Employment and Internships page on our website.

    Its important that you contact the Student Employment office Link, if:

    • you are employed on campus as a student
    • you are employed at BU as a scholar to notify them of your new Social Security Number as soon as you receive your Social Security Card, so you can take advantage of tax exemptions and possible tax treaties

    Obtaining A Social Security Number

    The Social Security Administration assigns nine-digit Social Security numbers to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and eligible nonimmigrant workers in the United States. SSA uses SSNs to report wages to the government, track Social Security benefits and for other identification purposes. Every F and M student who U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services grants employment authorization to needs an SSN.

    Please note: If an F or M student is ineligible to receive an SSN, but receives non-wage income while in the United States , they must apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number . For more information, please visit our What is an ITIN? resource page.

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    Handling Ssn Assignment Problems

    From the beginning, the process of assigning SSNs included quality checks. SSA employees had to account for every number and explain any missing serial numbers fully. Also, the SS-5s and the OA-702s were coded separately by different clerks and were later compared as a quality check .

    Still, as one might expect, an undertaking as enormous as enumerating 35 million workers in one concentrated effort was bound to encounter some problems. Many individuals received multiple SSNs. Some people were under the impression that the more SSNs they received, the better. Others thought they needed a new SSN for each new job. Workers sometimes lost their original number and applied for a new one. Also, a great many unemployed and WPA employees applied for SSNs both during the initial registration and again through WPA or private employment registration. Sample studies in 1937 or early 1938 indicated that duplicate account numbers had been issued to not more than 3 or 4 percent of the applicants .

    About a dozen similar cases of individuals adopting a made-up SSN shown on a facsimile card have occurred. In one case, the Social Security Board itself issued a pamphlet with the made-up number 219-09-9999 that was adopted by an individual .

    A Social Security Number Is Neccessary To Gain Employment In The United States But Some Cards Are Issued With Work Restrictions Here’s What That Means

    Your Social Security Card is Insecure

    Your Social Security number is used to identify and accurately record your employment and earnings history and enables you to claim from a variety of benefits programmes.

    In most instances simply knowing your number is enough to get a job or take advantage of a government programme, but you should also have been issued with a Social Security card. The Social Security Administration has three types of card that it gives to recipients, two of which have certain work restrictions.

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    Checking The Social Security Card

  • 1Take note of the type of social security card you are examining. The SSA issues three forms of social security card.XTrustworthy SourceSocial Security AdministrationIndependent U.S. government agency responsible for the administration and management of Social SecurityGo to source If you are an employer seeking to verify the work eligibility of a potential employee, this information is the first thing you should check.
  • The first shows a person’s name and social security number, and authorizes that person to work without restriction.
  • The second, in addition to the name and number, notes that the person is “valid for work only with DHS authorization,” meaning the person is allowed to work on a temporary basis so long as they have authorization from the Department of Homeland Security.
  • Finally, a card that bears a name and number and states “not valid for employment” represents an individual who has been issued a social security card for a non-work purpose and is not eligible for employment in the United States.
  • 2Check the name on the card. It should match the name on the person’s other forms of identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. Most of the time, when you will be checking the veracity of a person’s social security card, you will also have access to other forms of identification for this individual. Make sure the name is spelled the same across all of these documents.
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