How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Social Security Card

If you lose your Social Security card you need to replaces it as fast as possible.

Bradley Shaw, a digital consultant from Dallas had his wallet stolen, which contained his Social Security card, driver's license, and credit cards, among other things. This made Bradley a potential victim of identity theft.

"The first thing I did was start to monitor my credit for fraud and abuse," Mr. Shaw said. "I also contacted the major (credit) agencies and let them know to monitor my account," he added.
What you need to do in the event you get your wallet stolen is go down to the local Social Security Administration office as soon as you can and get a replacement card.

"I was seen and out of there in about 20 minutes. I was provided a letter indicating that a card had been requested, in case I needed to use it. A week or so later my new card arrived," Bradley said.

What are the dangers of losing a Social Security card?

There are a lot of things that thieves can do with a stolen social security card. Here's a list of some of the most dangerous things:

• Opening new payment cards. The thieves often open new payment card accounts using the victim's real name.
• Breaking into financial accounts. Frauds sometimes use Social Security numbers to commit digital fraud with stolen smartphones. The thieves could use a Social Security number hack into a mobile phone account and steal one-time passwords sent to the victim's phone. With these passwords, they can break into a bank account, steal credit card data, etc.
• Sending fake IRS tax returns. The frauds can use a Social Security number to file a fraudulent tax return, gaining nice tax reimbursements. The worst part is that this is all in the target's name and they have no way of knowing.

How to Replace a Social Security card

Here's how to replace a Social Security card:
You can replace a lost or stolen Social Security card by going to your closest Social Security office. You can also contact them via email or phone call. Usually, the process is relatively streamlined and fast It rarely takes more than two weeks between the time you report the lost card and get a new Social Security. Also, replacing a lost Social Security card is free.

If you go to a Social Security office, you will need to bring identification — specifically:
A U.S. driver's license, a state-issued non-driver identification card, or a U.S. passport.

All documents you submit "must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency." They will not accept "cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents."
It's not that bad, but it's a different story if you were born outside the USA. In that case, you will need to prove your citizenship and identity. It's even more of a hassle if you're not an American citizen at all. You will need to show documents proving your current lawful noncitizen status.

What else can I do if I had my Social Security card stolen?

You can and should place a fraud alert to protect yourself from identity theft.
"You can do this easily by calling one of the three major credit-reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion)," according to Danielle Kunkle, vice president at Boomer Benefits, from Fort Worth, Texas.

"This is the easiest way to monitor your credit after losing your Social Security card. These companies will contact you by phone to verify when credit is opened under your name. Plus, you can renew the alert every 90 days until you are confident that the situation is resolved," according to Natasha Campbell, financial educator and money coach at Wealth Style List, an online wealth platform for women.

You should report your stolen Social Security card to the IRS. This can block ID thieves from filing a tax return in your name. While you're filing reports, you should also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission. This will also protect you from anything the frauds might try. It wouldn't hurt to file a police report too.