There are a handful of documents that follow us through life. They’re vital when we need them, tucked away when we don’t and, if they go missing, scary to lose. Your Social Security card is a prerequisite for a job, benefits and government services. Your birth certificate proves your identity and age. You need it to apply for a passport, enroll in or claim benefits, join the military and enroll in school. Both are also a quick road to identify theft in the wrong hands. Losing one or both of these documents certainly isn’t ideal, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself against a potential attack.
Report it.
If you know you have a lost Social Security card, birth certificate or any other vital document, or they were stolen, report it. Call your local non-emergency police line and report any details you can about the incident. Police likely won’t be able to locate your lost social security card, but there will now be an official record in case problems arise later.
Request a social security card replacement
Lost Social Security card You can request a replacement card online provided you are:
- A U.S. citizen 18 years or old with a U.S. mailing address
- Not requesting any changes to the card
- Have a valid driver’s license or ID card (see SSA.gov for more specific requirements)
If you can’t apply online, you’ll need to bring the appropriate documents and application form to a Social Security office. The application can also be mailed. Birth certificate replacement Born in the U.S.: Contact the vital records office in the state of your birth for instructions and fee information. You can request expedited service or shipping if need be. Born abroad or on a military base abroad: If your parents registered your birth with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country, request a copy of the Consular Report of Birth Abroad from the U.S. Department of State. If your birth with not registered with the Embassy, contact the hospital where you were born or the base operator for the appropriate military branch. For directions on replacing other vital documents, visit USA.gov.
Set up a fraud alert.
Create a fraud report with one of the three national credit reporting firms. The Federal Trade Commission requires each firm to inform the other two companies if an alert is created, so all your bases will be covered. After creating the report, you’ll have 90 days to request a credit report.
Be on the lookout.
Alert your financial institutions of the loss. Monitor your bank, credit and other financial accounts for any suspicious activity, and report any unusual transactions.
Enlist help.
Lifelock can offer a deep layer of protection, using proprietary technology to detect and alert you to potential threats. If your identity is stolen, Lifelock’s team of specialists can help to quickly resolve it.
