Your social security card is an important document that contains your social security number which, when stolen, can have serious repercussions. It is therefore important to take necessary action to protect yourself after losing your card.
- Â Â Â Place a fraud alert
After losing your social security card, you might want to consider placing a fraud alert on your missing card. This can be achieved by contacting any of the major credit bureaus such as Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. You may give either of the companies a call or contact them by sending an email or do it online. The best part is that once you inform one company it will contact the other two and notify them of your situation. Placing a fraud alert on your social security card will keep you and your funds safe. This is due to the fact that the fraud alert will ensure that the creditors always verify whether it’s you before any transaction is carried out.
- Â Â Â Pay close attention to your credit reports
Monitoring your reports will help you pinpoint out any irregular activities going on with your social security card. The thief of your card may make a dozen applications for other cards or may use the card for all the wrong reasons leaving you in a truckload of debt. To stay safe, it is thus advisable to observe all your credit reports and thus take the necessary action once you notice any fraudulent activities.
- Â Â Â Apply for a replacement
One of best ways to protect yourself after losing your social security card is to apply for a replacement. If you meet the necessary requirements which may include being a U.S citizen and either or above 18 years of age, then you may make an application for a replacement of your lost social security card. However, if you notice that someone has been using your social security number then you may make an application for a new number, provided that you have sufficient evidence to prove that indeed someone has been using your number.
- Â Â Â Report to the relevant authorities
After losing your social security card make sure that you visit the relevant authorities and report about the loss. This will enable them to issue you with a new card or take the necessary action in the event that your card has been linked with fraudulent activities. In case you had lost your card along with your wallet, make sure you report the loss to the local police department. This is to ensure that you can defend yourself in the event that the documents in your wallet are used in fraud.
- Â Â Â Contact the three agencies
Contact the three major credit bureaus, which include Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. Inform them that you have lost your social security number or that you have lost your card. Request them for your current and updated credit reports which will help you notice anything odd as well as help you take the necessary action.
