If your life is in danger or has been ruined due to identity theft, you may be eligible for a new social security number. This is not a decision to be made lightly, but if you choose to follow these steps, you will find yourself wondering what documents you need and who to turn to for them. Read on to find out the answers to these questions and many more.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part One: Qualify for a New Social Security Number
Step 1. Apply for a new social security number after being a victim of identity theft
If your identity, including your social security number, has been stolen by another individual and you are at a serious disadvantage as a result of this happening, you may qualify for a new number.
Remember, however, that you will not be able to receive a new number if your card has been lost or stolen but you have no proof that the social security number was actually in use
Step 2. Get a new social security number to protect your life
If you are a victim of domestic violence or other abusive or life threatening circumstances, or find yourself in a situation of severe harassment, you will likely be eligible for a new social security number.
However, under such circumstances, you may need a complete change of identity in addition to that of the social security number. A new identity could also include a change in demographics, a new address, a new phone number that cannot be found in the phone book, and a new job
Step 3. Request a new number for religious or cultural reasons
If your religion or culture disapproves of a certain digit or range of digits contained in the original number, you may have the opportunity to obtain a new one.
For example, most Christian denominations associate the number 666 with the devil. A person who believes that this number represents evil can apply for a new social security number if their original number contains this group of digits
Step 4. Request a new number if sequential numbers have been assigned to the same family
Occasionally, social security numbers issued in numerical succession are given to people belonging to the same family. If this ends up causing problems at a later time with regards to proof of someone's identity, a new number may be requested by one or both parties.
This is more likely to happen with twins, other multiple births, or siblings and cousins whose birthdays are close. It can also happen to family members who were originally citizens of another country and then obtained US citizenship around the same date
Step 5. Request a new number if yours is a duplicate
Although rare, there have been cases where the same social security number has been assigned to more than one person or where multiple people have used the same number. This will make you eligible to get a new one.
Step 6. Find out when you don't qualify for a new social security number
If you have no specific reasons for requesting it or if you have a reason that is not considered valid, you will not be allowed to obtain a new one.
For instance, Not you will be able to get a new social security number if you are trying to avoid the consequences of going bankrupt or if you are trying to escape your legal liability or other legal consequences.
Method 2 of 3: Part Two: Apply for a New Social Security Number
Step 1. Fill out an official form for the social security number card
You can get it at a local Social Security Office or download it from the Social Security Administration website:
- You will need to provide your full legal name. If it has changed since your birth, you will also need to provide what was your full first name. Make a list of any other names used as well.
- This form will require you to write your original social security number.
- Enter your place and date of birth.
- Indicate your citizenship status: United States Citizen, Legal Foreigner With Work Permit, Legal Foreigner Without Work Permit, or Other.
- Indicate your ethnicity, your race and your gender.
- Write down the full names of your parents at the time of their birth as well as their social security numbers.
- Indicate that you have received a number in the past and write your name on the card that was most recently given to you. Also, indicate if there was a different date of birth incorrectly specified on an earlier form.
- Include the present date, the phone number that can be used to contact you during the day, and your home address.
- Finish by signing yourself with your full name and indicating if you are the person whose number will be changed or if you are a legal parent or guardian of this person.
Step 2. Collect documents to prove your identity and citizenship
You will need to prove your identity, US citizenship, immigration status (if needed), your age, and proof of legal name change (if needed).
- Proof of your identity can be a US driver's license, a state-issued non-driver ID card, or a US passport. If you do not have any of these forms of identification, you may be using a work ID card, a US military ID, a health insurance card, a US Indian tribal card, a US citizenship or naturalization certificate, or a certified copy of a medical record or life insurance policy.
- Citizenship can be proven by a US birth certificate, a US consular report of birth abroad, a US passport, a naturalization certificate, or a certificate of citizenship.
- Your migration status can be indicated with an I-94 arrival / departure document, an I-551 permanent residence card, or a 1-766 work authorization card.
- Age can be proven through a birth certificate or a US passport.
- A name change can only be proven by an original or certified copy of the legal name change document issued under a court order.
Step 3. Obtain evidence to support your claim
You can't just say out loud the reason you want a new number. You must provide concrete evidence in order to prove your claim.
Step 4. Submit the application form and documents to the nearest Social Security Office or Social Security Card Center
Employees who work there will be able to review and process your data. In some cases, you may get a new number right away, in others, your case will need to be analyzed and then you will be given a new social security number.
- You can find the Social Security Office or Social Security Card Center closest to you here:
- Note that all documents you bring must be originals or certified copies provided by the agency responsible for issuing the document. Photocopies and certified copies will not be accepted.
Method 3 of 3: Part Three: Protect Your New Social Security Number
Step 1. Find out who to give your social security number to
There are some legitimate entities that may require this from you in order to concretely confirm your identity.
- Entities that may require it include employers, the IRS, banks and lenders, the U. S. Treasury and institutions dealing with government funded programs (welfare, health insurance, etc.)
- The IRS has indicated to the banks that it is mandatory to request your social security number when you open a new account.
Step 2. Find out who not to give your social security number
Many requests are neither necessary nor legitimate. Watch out for the most common sources to which you should not give the social security number in case they ask you for it.
- Some legitimate companies will ask you for your social security number, but for many of them, this is not mandatory. Such legitimate entities include rental homeowners and property administrators, schools, hospitals and medical practices, sports leagues and clubs, insurers, utility providers and mobile phone companies.
- Some scammers will try to find out your social security number. Don't give it to anyone who is called, sends you an “official” looking email, or approaches you on the street.
Step 3. Refuse the requests for dissemination of your social security number
If a company wants it, you have the right to deny this information.
However, understand that a company or agency has the right to deny you the service you are requesting if you do not provide this information. In other cases, you may keep your social security number to yourself, but they may require you to pay a higher fee. Before making a decision, find out what the potential consequences are and weigh them in your mind to determine if they are serious enough to give you some confidence by giving the number
Step 4. Ask a lot of questions
Before giving your social security number to someone, even a legitimate business, make sure you know the exact use the company will make of it.
