Social Security cards stolen....good things to know if it happens.

[freemotion]

Welcome back.....

..........but only if you change your sig line. That would be gracious.

 

[Beekissed]

Now, on a more helpful note, here is a link to a site that answers questions about this kind of incident:

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10064.html

And one that offers assistance...for a fee:

http://www.myidfix.com/product_stolen_lost_wallet_or_purse.php

A link to the application for a new card/number:

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/fed_prog/ssnumber/ssnumber.htm

 

[big brown horse]

Thanks for the helpful informaion! I hope I never need it.

My friend's purse was stolen out of her car's trunk after she stupidly dicided to take herself to the park after an interview (they needed a photo copy of her ss card). While she ate her lunch in the shade at the park, some looser smashed her driver's window pulled the trunk latch and ran off, rather drove off with her purse. IN PLAIN SITE of 3 people!! It happens so fast that these crooks can get it done without ever getting caught.

Turns out the car was registered to someone who reported it stolen. (A witness jotted down the license #.)

 

[patandchickens]

Yup, for sure don't carry SS cards around with you (in future ) unless it is unavoidable for just one trip to fill out paperwork.

Bee, you might also check into whether you can place a letter in their credit bureau files with all 3 major credit bureaus -- well, first find out whether the credit bureaus HAVE a file on them but I wouldn't be surprised -- just to say 'my SS card was stolen on <date> and I am notifying you, Mr Credit Bureau, to be alert for possible fraudulent use". While this will not cause the credit bureau to do anything *actively*, it will make it a little easier to disentangle things in the future if their old SS number is used fraudulently, which you kinda have to think it eventually WILL be.

Changing their number is good if you can get that to happen without actual fraud occurring (didn't used to be that way, but maybe it's changed), but will NOT totally avoid all problems, just make it a little easier to disentangle them. It will still be a giant pain in the butt. Possibly recurrently for years.

I still have occasional problems with someone with almost the same name as mine (different middle name), who for a while lived only a few blocks from me, and -- apparently a genuine coincidence -- has virtually the same SS number as mine, just two digits reversed. This person is also a chronic loan-defaulter, credit card nonpayer, etc etc. Aaargh! Our files keep getting merged/mixed up, because the information SEEMS to match except for a coupla little details. This is why I would not count on a new SS number to avoid all problems -- it'll be on file as having *been* their SS number, and credit bureaus really do not lie awake nights checking the accuracy of their information, hmph.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Beekissed]

Thanks, Pat! You are correct..they will only issue a new number if you can prove that someone is using your old number for fraudulent purposes. Again, after the horse has left the barn.

That is an excellent idea, though, to send a letter for their files, though I don't know how to make sure they actually keep and file it. I will keep a copy for my files so that I can produce it if need be.

 

[big brown horse]

Thanks, Pat! You are correct..they will only issue a new number if you can prove that someone is using your old number for fraudulent purposes. Again, after the horse has left the barn.

That is an excellent idea, though, to send a letter for their files, though I don't know how to make sure they actually keep and file it. I will keep a copy for my files so that I can produce it if need be.

That is what my friend did. Her ss number is "flagged" now for possible fraud use. I think she is even contacted now if her number is being used to start any new accounts.

 

[EverythingPrepared]

My two youngest boys, age 17 and 19, SS cards were stolen from my purse last week. Nothing else was touched but the cards, so I'm assuming they were targeting these items for illegal purposes. I am calling the SS office tomorrow and will try to locate a number to flag these numbers with the credit bureaus but I'm wondering if I should file a police report for our records?

If the SS office will give you new numbers, that is great. I haven't heard of them doing that much. As a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist, I am suprised to read that the police won't fill out a report. A theft is a theft.

There are a lot of resources available. You could file a report with the FTC. At least it would be on file. THere are also monitoring services that may help.

If the SS office gives you a new number, you may want to ensure that they detach the other numbers from your boys' records. Just a thought.

 

[Beekissed]

Thanks! They already stated on their website that new numbers could only be issued if there was proof of fraud with the old numbers.

Thanks for the info! I was surprised the police wouldn't file a report as well, as this would come in handy to present to credit bureaus in the future, if needed.