How to get a ss replacement card

You can get this form from your local Social Security Administration (SSA) Field Office, download it from the SSA’s website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf, or call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and ask to have the form mailed to you. If you decide to call the SSA, be patient. You will likely not speak to a live person, but will have to navigate through several voice prompts before getting to the right function. (See a sample Form SS-5 in Appendix D, PG. 94).

Gather the documents you will need to prove your identity

See STEP 1 on PG. 40 — the same types of proof apply by mail.[54]

Mail your application and supporting documentation to any SSA Field Office.

To get the address of your local Field Office, call 1-800-772-1213, or visit the SSA’s website at: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp and enter your ZIP code.[55]

1. 54

   Soc. Sec. Admin., Program Operations Manual System, RM 10210.405 Evidence of Identity for an SSN Card (March 20, 2013). ↑

2. 55

   Learn What Documents You Need to Get a Social Security Card, Soc. Sec. Admin., http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm. ↑

   When applying for disaster assistance loans and grants, many documents such as tax records from the past three years, deeds, mortgages, renters' leases, copies of insurance policies or settlements, social security numbers, and other documentation will be necessary. If you have lost this documentation in a disaster and need information on document replacement there are various offices available to help you replace them.

   Social Security card replacement: apply at a local office or mail the necessary forms to your local Social Security office. To find your local Social Security office visit, https://secure.ssa.gov/ or call (800) 772-1213. To obtain more information, visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/ or call  (800) 772-1213. To obtain a replacement card, you may be required to provide an original copy of a birth certificate, driver's license, state-issued nondriver ID card, adoption record, marriage or divorce record, military record, or U.S. passport, as well as proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.

   Birth, marriage, or death certificates: 
   Recorder/Clerks Office, County of San Diego
   Phone: (619) 236-3771
   Website: https://arcc.sdcounty.ca.gov/Pages/default.aspx

   
   Office of Vital Records
   Department of Health Services
   Website:  http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/californ.htm

   
   Veteran records:
   US Veterans Affairs Department
   Phone: 1-800-827-1000
   Website:  http://www.va.gov

   Permanent Resident Card: 
   Fill out form USCIS I-90 and submit it in person at your local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office. You must also submit two residency photos taken within the last 30 days and pay the replacement fee of $260. Some may be eligible to E-file Form USCIS I-90. For more information and form I-90 click here or call (800) 870-3676.

   Work permits:
   Complete form USCIS I-765, submit a copy of applications or documents that entitle you to a work permit, include a money order or cashier's check for $180, and mail to:

   U.S. Department of Homeland Security
   U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
   California Service Center
   P.O. Box 30111
   Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0111

   *All non U.S. citizens must also contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to inform them of address change due to wildfires or disaster. This can be done by completing USCIS form AR-11 and submitting it to your local USCIS office.

   Lost your Social Security card? You can replace it, with the help of documents such as your driver's license or U.S. passport, at your local Social Security office.

   But what's even more important than getting a new card — considering that you should have already committed your Social Security number to memory — is making sure that identity thieves and other scammers don't use your number to open credit card accounts in your name, break into your online bank accounts, or steal your income-tax return.

   Eliminating this threat of identity theft should be your top priority, even outranking the need for a new card, should you lose your Social Security card.

   Replacing a stolen or lost Social Security card

   If you do lose your Social Security card, think about whether you want to replace your physical card. After all, knowing your Social Security number is what’s most important, not the physical card itself. You rarely, if ever, must show your card to anyone.

   But if you do want a new card, getting one is an easy process.

   The U.S. Social Security Administration provides a list of helpful tips for replacing a lost card at this page.

   Basically, though:

   • Step one is to find documents that you can use to prove your identity and get your new card. According to the Social Security Administration, you’ll need a U.S. driver's license, state-issued non-driver identification, or a U.S. passport to prove your identity. You might also need to prove your U.S. citizenship or lawful noncitizen status with your birth certificate or U.S. passport.
   • Be sure to find originals or order copies certified by the agency issuing your documents. The Social Security Administration won't accept photocopies or notarized copies of these documents.
   • Next, print and fill out the Application for a Social Security card, which you can find here.
   • Finally, you can bring or mail your application for a replacement card to any Social Security office. Use this link to find the office closest to you.
   • You might also be able to apply for a replacement card online by using this link. To do this, you must have a my Social Security account. Click here to create an account or to learn more about the process.

   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. It’s 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. You’ll 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. They’ll 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.

   How to help stop identity thieves

   Don't ignore a lost Social Security card. Instead, take the steps necessary to protect your identity from scammers.

   Place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus

   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 credit report 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:
   Equifax fraud alert
   Experian fraud alert
   TransUnion fraud alert

   Review your credit reports and financial statements

   You want to catch the signs of identity theft quickly. The best way to do that is to monitor your credit reports and your online accounts.

   You can order your free credit reports — one each maintained by Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — from AnnualCreditReport.com. Typically, you can order one free credit report from each bureau for free every year. During the pandemic, though, you can order a free report from each bureau every week.

   Once you get your reports, look for any credit card accounts or loans that you know you never took out. Strange accounts on your credit reports are a sign that someone is using your identity to open new accounts and take out loans.

   Also check your online bank and credit card accounts for suspicious purchases or large withdrawals. Thieves might have used your Social Security number to access these accounts.

   Contact your financial providers

   If you spot anything suspicious on your credit reports, bank accounts or credit card accounts, contact your bank, credit card providers, and the lenders behind the fraudulent accounts.

   Explain that someone is making illegal purchases in your name, is taking out loans in your name or is fraudulently opening credit card accounts under your name. You are not responsible for any fraudulent purchases. Ask your bank or credit card provider to close your cards and account to protect yourself from any additional illegal activity.

   You should also change the passwords on your other accounts. You want to make sure to protect them from an identity thief.

   Freeze your credit

   If you’re worried that someone is using your Social Security number to steal your identity, freeze your credit with the three national credit bureaus. A freeze prevents lenders, credit card providers, and other creditors from accessing your credit report, even when you, or someone else, applies for a new loan or credit card. Because your credit is frozen, identity thieves won’t be able to open new accounts in your name.

   If you want to apply for a loan or credit card, you will have to unfreeze your credit. Fortunately, both freezing and unfreezing your credit is free. Unfortunately, you must freeze your credit at all three bureaus.

   You can freeze your credit at these links:

   Experian credit freeze
   Equifax credit freeze
   TransUnion credit freeze

   Report your lost Social Security card to the IRS

   Reporting your stolen Social Security card to the IRS can prevent scammers from filing a tax return in your name. For more information, check out this identity protection page from the IRS. It gives an easy-to-understand breakdown of how to report a lost card.

   File a report with the FTC

   You should also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission, which collects information about identity theft. You can do this at this link.

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   Criminals can open new accounts, get payday loans, and even file tax returns in your name. There was a victim of identity theft every 3 seconds in 2019°, so don’t wait to get identity theft protection.