what to do if your social security number has been stolen
Almost of united states employ our Social Security number all of the fourth dimension, whether it's at the doctor'southward office, at the bank, or applying for government benefits and filing taxes. You need a Social Security number to utilise for jobs, to open a credit card account, and even to get married. Because we employ this number so much, many of us have information technology memorized and very rarely have to pull out our Social Security cards – but what happens if your Social Security carte du jour is lost or stolen?
Having your Social Security carte du jour lost or stolen may expose you to identity theft and fraud, lost finances, and damaged credit. We've created this guide to help you sympathize how to rapidly supplant your Social Security card if it falls into the wrong hands.
What practise I practice if my Social Security card or number is stolen or lost?
If your Social Security carte du jour or number (SSN) is lost or stolen, y'all should immediately contact your local law section and the Social Security Administration (telephone call toll-free one-800-772-1213) to allow them know well-nigh the incident. Once you've done that, there are a few other things that you tin can practice to help mitigate the risks involved with losing your Social Security card.
How do thieves profit from stolen Social Security cards?
Identity thieves can utilize your SSN to employ for more than credit in your proper name. Of class, the scammers never pay the bills, which tin can impairment your credit, and cause you to get calls from unknown credit enervating payment for items y'all never bought. They may too place your Social Security number on the Night Spider web to sell to other identity thieves.
How do I replace my lost or stolen Social Security card?
You tin can supplant you r Social Security bill of fare online. According to the Social Security Administration, if " you're but requesting a replacement card, and no other changes, y'all can utilise our gratis online services from anywhere. All you demand to do is log in to or create your personal my Social Security account. "
In one case y'all receive your replacement bill of fare, don't put information technology in your handbag or wallet. Keep it stored securely in a safety deposit box, or at dwelling house.
How exercise I protect my identity if I've lost my Social Security card?
There are several things you tin practice to minimize the risk that your card or number volition be used for illicit purposes.
- Order a free credit report | Review your credit report for suspicious activeness as an alert to possible fraud. The federally mandated site AnnualCreditReport.com allows you to order free reports from all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion).
- Place a fraud alert | A fraud alarm notifies creditors to contact you to verify your identity before extending any credit, making information technology harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your credit file.
- Consider a credit freeze | A credit freeze blocks anyone from accessing your credit report. And , while a credit freeze won't stop the majority of identity theft from occurring, it can alarm you to suspicious activity and is an of import office of layered protection against identity criminal offense. Unlike fraud alerts, y'all need to individually add together a credit freeze at each credit bureau.
- Review your financial statements | Look over your report for any activity yous did not authorize, such as opening a new credit card. Immediately study fraudulent or inaccurate information to creditors.
- Review your earnings statement | Your Social Security Statement is available online to workers age eighteen and older. Create an online account at SSA.gov to get your Argument.
- Consider an Identity Theft Protection Service | These services ensure that your credit and identity are monitored 24/7 past a team of pros who can also help you restore your identity if it is stolen. Make sure you empathize exactly how identity theft protection works earlier you lot sign up.
What are the dangers of losing my Social Security card?
Scammers tin can use your SSN to a pply for credit cards or loans in your name, or commit account takeover fraud and steal or admission boosted personal information. I of the fastest-growing COVID-19-related identity theft crimes is taxation fraud and identity theft, whereby thieves file a phony tax render in your proper noun, hoping to snag a refund before you catch on. If your Social Security carte is stolen, be sure to report the loss to the Internal Revenue Service. Some other recent COVID-xix scam that cruelly exploits job losses involves filing phony unemployment claims using your SSN, birth date, name, or address.
Even if your Social Security bill of fare is not stolen or lost, you demand to remain vigilant for scammers who phone call y'all (known as a vishing scam) challenge there's a problem with your SSN or account and try to become you lot to divulge personal data. If in that location's a legitimate problem with your number or business relationship, the Social Security Administration will mail service you a letter with your Social Security number. To larn how to reply to unsolicited robocalls or calls using caller ID spoofing, visit this SSA webpage.
Get Top-Rated Identity Theft Protection Today
If you think yous've been victimized later on experiencing a lost or stolen Social Security carte du jour, or your Social Security number has been exposed past a data breach, we can assist you accept the steps to protect what matters nigh. IdentityForce can assistance monitor your identity and credit while providing you with the latest news and information in identity theft protection. Our Smart SSN Tracker alerts you lot if an unfamiliar proper name, allonym, or address is associated with your SSN, and our experts volition be there to assistance you every step of the way. IdentityForce'southward Identity Vault provides online encrypted storage for your important personally identifiable information (PII) including SSNs, credit cards, fiscal account information, and birth dates, along with other important documents. It too provides admission to online and mobile digital organization and storage of digital copies of important legal and personal documents, medical records, and other items.
We've built top-rated, innovative capabilities that keep to be named the top-rated identity theft protection service throughout our industry. Additionally, our IdentityForce members receive full, white-glove restoration services to reduce the damaging furnishings of all types of fraud, theft, misuse, and unintended exposure of personal and financial data.
Permit us show yous how IdentityForce can assistance you manage through a compromised Social Security number incident. Sign up today and save xx%.
**Originally published July xi, 2017. Updated April 14, 2021.**
Source: https://www.identityforce.com/blog/replacing-lost-stolen-security-card#:~:text=If%20your%20Social%20Security%20card%20or%20number%20(SSN)%20is%20lost,them%20know%20about%20the%20incident.