The Social Security Number in the United States has become one of the main identification documents. The SSA (Social Security Administration) is the entity in charge of administering these numbers.
The Social Security Number is indispensable when you have to complete different procedures with financial entities, for example, for which this series of digits will be required, such as applying for loans, or Social Security benefits, and even when you get a new job.
If you are thinking “What is my SSN“, or if you have lost it, or even if you need to apply for another one for any reason, don’t worry. Below, you can find the answers to your questions, so take pencil and paper and follow the instructions we will provide throughout this article.
What is a Social Security Number?
As we mentioned earlier, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is in charge of issuing these numbers to U.S. citizens and those with permanent residency. The Social Security number is used to enable these individuals to work.
The purpose of this nine-digit series is to record the wages and earnings a person earns from work, whether self-employed or employed, which determines eligibility for Social Security benefits and other government services.
How to Protect My Social Security Number
Identity theft and forgery is a reality all over the world, which is why Social Security Numbers can be stolen, although it can also happen that the individual has lost it. This can have serious consequences on the person’s economy and finances.
This is why you must protect your SSN at all costs. From ssaoffice.net we will give you, below, some tips so that you do not lose your SSN, and you can protect it without a third party being able to access this number without your authorization. In addition, we will give you the answer to your question about “what is my SSN“.
Tips for protecting my SSN
Keep your Social Security card in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box, or under your clothes where only you know it is there.
- It is important that you only carry your card with you if you know you will need it, so don’t put yourself in danger of misplacing it.
- Do not keep it in your wallet, as you may regret it later.
- Do not give your SSN to strangers, such as over the phone to an “agency” that asks you for information. There are many thieves who engage in this type of scam.
- Constantly check your credit report to verify that everything is in order and that there are no suspicious movements. If you notice anything unusual, you should take steps to safeguard your SSN.
- You can place a fraud alert with official credit bureaus, such as Transunion, Experian or Equifax.
- Another option is to freeze your SSN so that no one can access your credit file.
- If the situation escalates, the best course of action is to seek legal advice.
IMPORTANT: Be very careful about safeguarding your Social Security Number, as this means protecting your identity.
How to find out what is my SSN
If you are wondering “What is my SSN?” and you can’t find the answer, the answer is closer than you thought, because your Social Security Number is on a lot of documents you may have at home. First of all, your Social Security card will have this nine-digit series, which usually has two dashes in between.
If you can’t find your Social Security card and are still wondering what is my SSN, don’t worry, there is still a light at the end of the road, and it can be found on the various documents we mentioned above.
In which documents can i find my SSN
If you don’t have your Social Security card, you can find out what is my SSN on documents such as:
- Tax returns: the number usually appears on the front page of the document.
- On your employer’s W-2 form.
- On your bank account statements.
- On your driver’s license (although some no longer carry it).
- On VISA documents.
Now, if you can’t find the answer to “What is my SSN“, as a last resort you should immediately contact the SSA, where they will give you advice and get you a replacement card.
Replacing a lost social security card
We have already told you how you can find out what is my SSN and provided several options for you to find out. However, there are times when you need to replace your Social Security card. While doing any paperwork is quite tedious, to replace your card you will not need many requirements.
If you have a My Social Security account, you already have a head start. This online service offered by the Social Security Administration on its official website will allow you to apply for a replacement card.
Unfortunately, if you do not know your SSN and do not have an account on the SSA site, you will not be able to create an account, as you need your SSN to do so.
FACT: If you have already applied for any other changes, such as a name change, you will not be able to apply for your replacement card.
How to apply for a replacement Social Security card
If you have tried everything you can to find out what your SSN is and can’t find an answer, you should apply for a replacement card. To do this, you will need to go to a Social Security office.
You can go here to find out the locations and hours of operation of each office in the different states. Before going to these offices, you will need to prepare a series of documents to prove your identity.
FACT: The documents must be originals. Copies will not be of any use.
You can verify your identity by showing your U.S. passport, driver’s license, state-issued identification card, health insurance card, school ID or U.S. military ID.
IMPORTANT: A birth certificate does not verify identity.
After you apply for your replacement Social Security card, the office will provide you with a receipt that you can use as a temporary card. It must include your SSN and show that the application for a new card is being processed.