If your Social Security card is stolen, take these important steps to protect yourself from identity theft and fraud:
Immediate Actions
- Report to the Police: File a report with your local police department to create an official record of the theft. This can help if your identity is misused and you need to prove the card was stolen
- Notify the Social Security Administration (SSA): Contact the SSA by calling their toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 or visiting their website to report the stolen card. You can also report suspected misuse to the SSA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271
Protect Your Identity
- Place a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze: Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This makes it harder for thieves to open new accounts in your name. You can also consider a credit freeze, which blocks all new credit applications
- Check Your Credit Reports: Regularly review your credit reports for any unauthorized activity. You can get a free credit report annually from AnnualCreditReport.com
- Monitor Your Social Security Statement: Create or log into your mySocialSecurity account to check your earnings record for any suspicious activity and report inconsistencies to SSA immediately
Replace Your Social Security Card
- Request a Replacement: You can apply for a replacement card online (if eligible), by mail, or in person at your local SSA office. You will need to provide documents proving your identity, age, and citizenship or immigration status
- Limit Replacement Requests: Be aware that there are limits on how many replacement cards you can request within a year and in a lifetime
Additional Precautions
- Do Not Carry Your Card: Keep your Social Security card in a safe place at home rather than carrying it with you to reduce risk of loss or theft
- Protect Personal Information: Avoid sharing your SSN unnecessarily, shred documents containing your SSN, use strong passwords, and avoid accessing sensitive information on public Wi-Fi
By promptly reporting the theft, protecting your credit, monitoring your accounts, and replacing your card, you can reduce the risk of identity theft and financial harm
