In the U.S., you need a social security number to get a job, access government benefits, and apply for a loan from a mainstream lender, among other things. To complete some of these tasks, you may need to present a physical copy of your social security card. This means that if you lose your social security card, you should replace it as soon as possible. Here's how you can replace your social security card.
Social Security Card Replacement
To replace your social security card, all you need to do is to request a replacement via the
Social Security online portal. To make the online replacement request, you need the following qualifications:
- You need to be an 18-year-old plus U.S. citizen who has a U.S. mailing address.
- Your request should not include other demands, like a name change.
- You must have a state-issued ID card or driver's license from the District of Columbia or any of the participating states. Currently, the only states that are not participating are West Virginia, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, Nevada, and Minnesota.
It is worth noting that if you're in Wisconsin, Delaware, and Alaska, you can only use your driver's license as a form of identification. Moreover, the service is currently unavailable to anyone with an identity card issued in a U.S. territory including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. If you weren't born in the U.S. and you didn't prove your citizenship before you received your card, you'll need to establish your
identity and citizenship before replacing your card. If you're a
noncitizen, you'll need to prove that you're in the U.S. legally.
How Criminals Can Profit from Your Lost or Stolen Social Security Card
Fraudsters can use your lost or stolen social security card in ways that will lead to you losing a significant amount of money. Here is what they can do:
- Open new payment cards - Scammers can use the data from your social security card to open payment accounts in your name.
- Access your financial accounts through mobile phone theft - Identity thieves can use your social security number to break into your phone accounts to access one-time passwords, which will enable them to access your credit card, bank, and other accounts.
- File fraudulent tax returns - Fraudsters can file bogus tax returns in your name.
Urgent Measures to Take After Losing Your Social Security Card
- Request a fraud alert. You can do this easily by contacting any of the three credit reporting agencies, who will then contact the others. The companies will then inform you if credit is opened in your name.
- Watch out for suspicious activities in your credit report and financial accounts.
- Report the loss of your card to the IRS to prevent scammers from filing returns in your name.
- Notify the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC collects identity theft complaints.
- Notify the Police. Report the loss of your social security card to the local police department.
Additionally, you should take all the necessary precautions that mitigate the losses that can result from losing your card, such as purchasing identity theft insurance to cover some of the identity theft-related costs. It reimburses you the money spent on repairing your credit and reclaiming your financial identities. Identity theft insurance can be part of your renter's or homeowner's insurance policy, or you can get it as a standalone policy.
If your social security card is lost or stolen, follow these tips to replace it and mitigate potential losses. Make sure to carry identity theft insurance to protect yourself against the risks associated with lost social security cards. To secure reliable coverage,
contact the experts at Little & Sons Insurance Services. Serving Banning and the surrounding cities in California, we are ready to assist you with all your insurance needs.
