Report the theft to the Social Security Administration right away
Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and tell them your card is missing or stolen. Have your Social Security number ready. The SSA will flag your account and can issue you a replacement card, which typically arrives in 1 to 2 weeks.
You do not need to visit an office in person for a replacement card unless you cannot provide proof of citizenship and identity by mail. Most people can request a replacement by phone or through your personal my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. You will need to verify your identity, which the SSA does by asking questions about your credit history.
Keep the confirmation number from your call. If you are replacing your card by mail, the SSA will send you instructions on what documents to submit — typically a birth certificate or passport and a state ID or driver's license.
Key Takeaways
- Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to report the theft and request a replacement card.
- Place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by calling one of them, and they will notify the others.
- Check your credit report for unauthorized accounts or charges at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official free source.
- Monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly for suspicious activity, and set up account alerts if your bank offers them.
- Consider a credit freeze if you believe your information was used fraudulently, which prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
Place a fraud alert with credit bureaus immediately
A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. Call any one of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax (1-800-525-6285), Experian (1-888-397-3742), or TransUnion (1-800-680-7289) — and ask to place a fraud alert. That bureau will notify the other two automatically.
An initial fraud alert lasts one year and is free. If you place one, you will receive a free copy of your credit report from all three bureaus. Lenders are supposed to call you to verify your identity before opening new credit in your name, though not all do.
A fraud alert is different from a credit freeze. A fraud alert makes it harder for someone to open accounts; a credit freeze prevents anyone — including you — from accessing your credit report to open new accounts. You can place a fraud alert yourself by phone in minutes. A credit freeze requires a separate request to each bureau and takes a few days to process.
Check your credit report for unauthorized accounts
Visit annualcreditreport.com and order your free credit report from all three bureaus. This is the official government site; do not use other sites that claim to offer free reports. Look for accounts you did not open, inquiries from lenders you did not contact, or charges you do not recognize.
If you find fraudulent accounts or inquiries, contact the credit bureau that reported them in writing. Include a copy of your fraud report (which you can file with the Federal Trade Commission at reportidentitytheft.ftc.gov) and ask them to remove the false information. The bureau must investigate within 30 days and remove inaccurate information if they cannot verify it.
Check your credit report again in three to six months, because fraudsters sometimes wait before using stolen information. You are may have access to to one free report per bureau per year, so you can stagger your checks throughout the year.
Monitor your bank and credit card accounts
Review your bank and credit card statements weekly for the next several months. Look for charges you did not make, transfers you did not authorize, or new accounts opened in your name. Many banks and credit card companies offer free account alerts that notify you by email or text when a transaction occurs, which can help you catch fraud quickly.
If you find unauthorized charges, contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Federal law limits your liability for fraudulent charges: if you report them within 60 days, you are responsible for no more than $50 per card, and most banks waive that amount entirely. The sooner you report, the better.
Keep records of all fraudulent charges, the dates you reported them, and the names of the people you spoke with. You will need this documentation if the fraud continues or if you need to dispute charges later.
File an identity theft report if fraud has already occurred
If someone has already used your Social Security number to open accounts, get a job, or file taxes in your name, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportidentitytheft.ftc.gov. This creates an official record and generates a recovery plan tailored to your situation.
The FTC report is different from a police report, but you can file both. A police report may be necessary if you need to dispute fraudulent tax returns or if your state requires it to place a credit freeze. Contact your local police department or file online if your state offers that option.
Keep copies of your FTC report and any police report. You will need them to dispute fraudulent accounts with credit bureaus and to prove to creditors that you are a victim of identity theft, not someone who opened accounts and failed to pay.
Watch for tax-related identity theft
Someone with your Social Security number can file a tax return in your name and claim your refund. You will not know this happened until you file your own return and the IRS rejects it as a duplicate.
If this happens, file your return on paper instead of electronically and include a copy of your identity theft report. The IRS will investigate and send you a letter. The process can take months, so file as early as possible in tax season.
You can also contact the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 1-800-908-4490 if you suspect someone filed a return using your number. They can place a flag on your account to prevent future fraudulent filings.
Consider a credit freeze for long-term protection
A credit freeze prevents anyone from accessing your credit report without your permission, which stops most identity thieves from opening new accounts. You must request a freeze from each of the three credit bureaus separately. It is free and takes a few days to process.
A freeze is more restrictive than a fraud alert: you will need to temporarily lift it if you apply for credit yourself, which takes a phone call or online request. Some people use a freeze after resolving identity theft to prevent future fraud. Others use a fraud alert first and move to a freeze only if fraud actually occurs.
You can lift or remove a freeze at any time, and there is no cost. If you decide a freeze is not necessary, you can remove it and go back to monitoring your credit with regular reports and fraud alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone use my Social Security number without my card?
Yes. A thief only needs your number, not the physical card. The card itself is less valuable than the number printed on it. However, reporting the card stolen still matters because it flags your account with the SSA and makes it easier to prove you are a victim if fraud occurs.
How long does it take to get a replacement Social Security card?
A replacement card typically arrives in 1 to 2 weeks if you request it by phone or online. If you must submit documents by mail, add time for postal delivery and SSA processing. You can check the status of your replacement card through your my Social Security account.
Do I need to file a police report?
A police report is not required to replace your card or place a fraud alert, but it is useful if fraud has already occurred. Some states require a police report to place a credit freeze, and you may need one to dispute fraudulent tax returns with the IRS. Check your state's requirements or file one if you believe someone has used your information illegally.
What if I find fraudulent accounts months later?
Report them to the credit bureau and the creditor immediately, even if time has passed. Include a copy of your identity theft report. Creditors must investigate disputes, and credit bureaus must remove information they cannot verify. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove you did not open the account, so report as soon as you discover it.
Will my credit score recover after identity theft?
Your score will recover once fraudulent accounts are removed from your report, but it takes time — typically several months to a year depending on how much damage was done. Negative information stays on your report for seven years, but its impact on your score decreases over time. Focus on paying your own accounts on time while the fraud is being resolved.