Report the loss to Social Security when ready

If you believe your Social Security number has been lost or stolen, contact the Social Security Administration directly. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office in person. You can find the office nearest you at ssa.gov/locator. Have your name, date of birth, and place of birth ready when you call.

Social Security will not cancel your number or issue you a new one unless you can show that someone is using it fraudulently or that keeping the same number puts you at risk. straightforward losing the card itself is not usually enough to get a replacement number. However, reporting the loss creates an official record that may help if fraudulent activity appears later on your credit report or tax return.

If you need a replacement card with the same number, Social Security will issue one for free. You will need to provide proof of identity (a driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or passport), and proof of work authorization if you are not a U.S. citizen. You can explore in person, by mail, or through an online account at ssa.gov/myaccount.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report a lost or stolen Social Security number and create an official record of the loss.
  • Social Security will not issue you a new number unless fraud has already occurred or you face genuine risk, but they will replace your card for free.
  • Check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com within a few weeks to watch for unauthorized accounts or inquiries opened in your name.
  • Place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to make it harder for someone to open accounts using your number.
  • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportidentitytheft.ftc.gov if you discover that someone has used your number to open accounts or file a false tax return.

Monitor your credit report for fraudulent accounts

After reporting the loss, check your credit report within two to four weeks. You can view your report for free once per year from each of the three major credit bureaus at annualcreditreport.com. This is the official site run by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — not a third-party service. Look for accounts you did not open, inquiries from lenders you did not contact, or addresses that are not yours.

If you spot fraudulent activity, contact the credit bureau that reported it and ask them to place a dispute on your account. The bureau must investigate within 30 days and remove the fraudulent item if they cannot verify it. You can also request that they send a copy of the dispute to the creditor who opened the false account.

Check your credit report again three to six months later. Fraud can take time to appear, and monitoring over several months catches accounts opened weeks after the initial loss.

Place a fraud alert on your credit file

A fraud alert tells lenders to take extra steps before opening a new account in your name. When you place an alert, lenders must contact you by phone or mail to confirm that you actually requested the account. This makes it harder — though not impossible — for someone to use your Social Security number to open credit cards, take out loans, or sign up for utilities.

Contact any one of the three major credit bureaus, and they will notify the other two. You can place an alert by phone, online, or by mail. Initial alerts last one year; you can renew them if needed. If you believe your identity has already been stolen, you can request an extended fraud alert, which lasts seven years.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 or equifax.com Experian: 1-888-397-3742 or experian.com TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 or transunion.com

Consider a credit freeze if fraud has already occurred

A credit freeze is stronger than a fraud alert. It blocks lenders and creditors from viewing your credit report entirely, which means they cannot open new accounts in your name. You place the freeze with each of the three bureaus separately. A freeze is free and does not affect your credit score.

The downside is that a freeze also blocks you from opening new accounts quickly. If you want to explore for a credit card, mortgage, or car loan, you must temporarily lift the freeze, which takes a few hours to a few days depending on the bureau. Most people use a freeze only after discovering that fraud has already happened.

You can place a freeze online, by phone, or by mail with each bureau. Some states allow you to place a freeze even if you have not been a victim of fraud; others require proof of identity theft first. Check your state's laws or ask the bureau when you call.

File a report with the Federal Trade Commission if fraud occurred

If you discover that someone has opened accounts, made purchases, or filed a tax return using your Social Security number, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportidentitytheft.ftc.gov. The FTC does not investigate individual cases, but your report creates an official record and generates an Identity Theft Report that you can use to dispute fraudulent accounts with creditors and credit bureaus.

When you file, the FTC asks for details about what happened, which accounts were opened, and what steps you have already taken. You will receive a recovery plan tailored to your situation. Keep a copy of your Identity Theft Report — creditors are required to accept it as proof that the accounts are fraudulent.

You can also file a police report in your city or county. Some creditors and bureaus ask for a police report number when you dispute fraudulent accounts. The FTC report alone is often enough, but having both strengthens your case.

Watch for tax-related fraud involving your Social Security number

If someone files a tax return using your Social Security number before you do, the IRS will reject your return when you try to file. You will receive a letter from the IRS explaining that a return was already filed under your number. Do not ignore this letter.

Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and tell them you did not file that return. They will investigate and may issue you a new Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), a six-digit number that only you can use when filing your tax return. This prevents someone else from filing in your name in future years.

If you believe your Social Security number was used to file a false return, also file a report with the FTC and consider filing a police report. Keep copies of all correspondence with the IRS.

Get a replacement Social Security card if yours was physically lost

If you straightforward lost the card itself and have not discovered any fraud, you can request a replacement card with the same number. You will need to prove your identity, citizenship, and work authorization. Acceptable documents include a driver's license, passport, state ID, birth certificate, and employment authorization documents.

explore in person at your local Social Security office, by mail, or online through your Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. There is no fee. Processing usually takes one to two weeks if you explore in person or online, and two to four weeks if you mail your process.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need to show your work authorization status. Bring your original documents or certified copies — Social Security will not accept photocopies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a new Social Security number if mine was stolen?

Social Security will issue a new number only in rare cases where you can show that keeping your current number puts you at serious risk — for example, if someone is actively using it to commit crimes or if you are a victim of domestic violence. straightforward having your number stolen is not usually enough. However, if fraud has already occurred, you can request a new number by visiting your local Social Security office with proof of identity and documentation of the fraud.

What should I do if I find my lost Social Security card after I have already reported it?

Destroy the card by cutting it up or shredding it. You do not need to contact Social Security again. If you requested a replacement card, use the new one once it arrives. Do not use the old card.

How long does it take to resolve identity theft involving my Social Security number?

It varies widely depending on how much fraud occurred and how quickly creditors respond to your disputes. straightforward cases may resolve in a few weeks; complex cases involving multiple accounts can take months or years. The FTC's recovery plan will give you a timeline based on your specific situation.

Will placing a fraud alert hurt my credit score?

No. A fraud alert does not affect your credit score. It only tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts. Your score may actually improve if the alert prevents fraudulent accounts from being opened in your name.

Do I need to pay for credit monitoring or identity theft protection services?

No. Everything described here — credit reports, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and FTC reports — is free. Be cautious of companies that charge fees for services that Social Security, the credit bureaus, and the FTC offer at no cost.