Your Social Security card is one of the most important documents you can own, and you must take care of it. You need to make sure that you do everything you can to take care of your card, and this means that you need to replace it as fast as possible if you lose it. Losing your card can have many bad ramifications, and you need to get a new card as soon as you are aware that you need a new one. Read on to learn how to get a replacement Social Security card fast.
The fastest way to get a replacement Social Security card is to apply for it online. You can get your card a lot faster this way, and it is going to be a lot easier to get your card since you won’t need to go to the office or try to apply for it through the mail. It doesn’t cost any money to get a replacement card, but you can only get 10 replacement cards over your lifetime, so make sure to keep your card in a safe place, so it doesn’t get lost.
To get your card online, you will want to set up a free Social Security online account, and you can then order your card through their website. You have to be over 18 to get your card, and you have to have a United States mailing address. If your name has changed, you can’t get your card online, and you will need to go to the office to get it changed. You will also need proof of your identity, a driver’s license, or a state ID card.
If you have any issues with trying to get your card online, you will need to make sure that you go to the office instead. Be advised that it can take a long time to get seen, and you have to take a number and wait your turn while you wait for your turn. If you are going to be visiting the office, you want to make sure that you go when there are fewer people, so you don’t have to wait for so long. The Social Security office is a popular place so try to go early in the morning or late afternoon if you don’t want to wait for so long. No one wants to spend their afternoon waiting in line.
When you go to the office, it is going to be very important that you have all of your documents with you because if you forget anything, you will have to go through the process all over again. You won’t have a card issued to you on the spot. You can only get your card through the mail, which can take up to 14 business days to reach you.
Once you get your new card, it will be imperative to keep it in a safe place so you don’t lose it again. You need to make sure that no one can get your card because you could end up being a victim of identity theft if someone gets your card. You don’t want this to happen, so be sure that you are very careful with your card. You can’t let anyone get close to it, and if you think your card might have been stolen, you have to keep an eye on your credit report to ensure that you don’t end up with any fraudulent accounts.
If you think that a criminal has your Social Security number, you will want to think about freezing your credit report. If you freeze your credit report, you won’t have to worry about someone opening an account in your name because any changes will be reported to you, so you can stop any account from being opened that isn’t yours. It doesn’t cost anything to freeze your credit report, and it is a move that can totally protect you from identity theft.
Identity theft is on the rise, and all a criminal needs are your Social Security number. Once they have this information, it is straightforward to start to steal your identity. You could end up having your credit score ruined because someone has stolen your identity, and you have fraudulent loans taken out in your name. It takes a long time to fix identity theft, and your credit score will be ruined while you are getting things straightened out.
A low credit score can prevent you from buying a home or car, and it can even stop you from getting a job. Having a low credit score will make your life a lot harder, and you will have to deal with many problems to get things straightened out. If your credit has been affected by identity theft, you will need to alert the police, and you also have to alert the Social Security office that your number has been stolen and used in identity theft.
To avoid having this happen, it is essential that you keep a tight hold on your number and that you are very careful about how you use it so you don’t end up having your number stolen. A stolen Social Security number can cause so many problems, and you want to avoid them as much as possible.
When you first become aware that your card has been stolen, you will want to be sure to apply for a new card. Freeze your credit if you think your card has been stolen. Getting a replacement social security card is easy, and you have to leave time to get your new card through the mail. When you need a new Social Security card try, to get it online first since the process is easier and more simple. It doesn’t cost anything to apply for a replacement Social Security card.
