I'm with you tomboy - wait and see before blowing up my SSN. But my banker seems to think having the number "out there" puts my bank accounts at very high risk for fraud.

I think my accounts have a very limited risk for fraud, considering what's in them ;-)

The SSA apparently agrees, so maybe I'll win this go-round.

Hi worktowander, again I am so sorry about your problem. It got me thinking, when we had our boat I use to leave my purse (with my wallet inside) on the boat when we went on shore to have meals or on other peoples boats etc. Stupid but lucky me, nothing was ever stolen! Luck of the draw I guess you could say. I sure hope that this turns out alright for you. Best wishes.

Worktowander--

I'm dying to know where you were when your purse was stolen. I live in Minneapolis where I always see the signs posted in the parks warning people not to leave valuables in their cars. Sounds like you were more up in one of the parks or wilderness areas north of the city. Am I right?

I'm with Jody on this one...I have never had to show my Social Security to ANYONE much less an employer; banker; mortgage application; car loan, etc.

Passport will be replaced...
My driver's license is now a hologram'd picture card... why anyone would want that escapes me...it looks like a "mug shot"

Close Julies, but I live in the first city up I-94 that wouldn't be considered a suburb of the Cities, and this happened in a rural area about north of there. Don't want to get too specific, but the river we were paddling was the Mississippi and the nearest town is a village called Rice.

>>>>>>>
Rufus wrote:
Unless something has changed in the last month or so, it should not take anywhere near 6 weeks, let alone 6 months, to get a replacement soc sec card (same number). I lost mine and I had my new one in 10 days.
<<<<<<<<<

If you read the original message, the OP was talking about getting a NEW SSN (i.e. different number). There's no way that this can be done in 10-days. It'll be months before this can be done and it won't be "a piece of cake".

bill boy--if you read the ongoing messages, there was also discussion of getting a replacement card. That is what I was referring to.

So sorry, Worktowander. We've had the same thing happen to students here in IL- and one time on a day trip to Chicago- within a couple of blocks from WaterTower.

And although I am a peer of jody and not retired, I can say that I have HAD to display my SS card at least 9 or 10 times in my working lifetime. In Chicago for any Federal or City job, I know it has always been required, and in Academics, even more so. There has been that kind of regulation here for many reasons and not the lest is because of incoming illegal alien hiring etc. problems. And like most institutions nationally our college has also had to change from a SS # based system during the last 2 or 3 years to a system based on an ID# issued by the institution itself.

My son just had to have a replacement SS card issued himself because he had to display the card upon subbing in a different school system.

The card shouldn't be carried but stored in a safety deposit box with other important papers like birth certificates etc., IMHO. A weird detail-the card reads "Do not laminate" now. At one time we had to show them so much we used to laminate them free at our library facility.

My boss had to show his SS card when he signed up for Medicare. Two years later, when his wife had her Medicare enrollment appointment, they didn't ask to see her card. Who knows what the rule is, but I won't be shreading my SS card. BTW, I keep it in my safe deposit box so that I won't lose it.

-Update on Social Security card-

So get this:

I met with the banker today to open new accounts (this is the same banker who thinks I need a new SSN). She was talking about how we should monitor the new accounts online daily or more often to detect any misuse (we already do) and that she would be monitoring it weekly for the same reason.

And, to provide extra security, she my DH and I should expect to be asked for extensive ID if we withdraw cash at the bank (not ATM). They even set up a password we'll have to give along with the "extensive ID."

So what's the ID we'll need to show? A drivers license AND A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD!!!

Irony, anyone?

OMG Worktowander, don't you just want to start banging your head against the nearest wall?? And you said what to her? BTW, maybe I missed it it your post...question, what has the Social Security Office advised or suggested?

No word from SSA, other than their Web site saying they won't change numbers unless there's evidence of fraud (or some other problems that don't apply to my case).

I said nothing to the banker. I was in shock.

No word from SSA, other than their Web site saying they won't change numbers without evidence of fraud. Anyway, I can't apply for a new card until I get my new drivers license.

I said nothing to the banker. I was in shock.

Apologies for the double post. It didn't appear as if the first one took, so I posted again. My bad.

Hi worktowander, have you called via the telephone the Social Security Office? I would, for what it is worth.

SS numbers have been taken off of MANY types of identification--health insurance, college meal cards, etc. I don't think I've received a new Medicare card. I remember a time I was going to sign up for a credit card at a store to get the immediate 10% discount. She wanted my SS # and I flatly refused.
I am really sorry for the OP--that is a nightmare. But you might be dealing with a crime of opportunity--just wanting the money and perhaps a fast credit card use, but no "skill" in ID theft.

Workto--did you check out the alternative IDs you can use to get a replacement SS card?

Worktowander – regarding your Social Security card. Your driver’s license is only one of many things that you can use in order to get a replacement card.

See: http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/...mp;p_topview=1

You need an original document that is fairly recent. You can use a life insurance policy, a paystub, a bill from your doctor. As long as it shows your entire name as it was shown in your Social Security number.

In most cases, when a SSN is lost, a bank usually closes that account and starts a new one.

If you need more help re SSA you can email me at this address at any time:

[email protected]

Replacement SSNs and other FAQs from SSA website--including most popular baby names back to 1880.

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/...p_sid=RpzzxRRh

Well, I'll be jiggered.

I got a call yesterday (almost 7 months after my car was broken into and my purse stolen) from a nice off-duty policeman who works in a town about 60 miles north of here.

After identifying himself, he said he had been in a state park even farther north Saturday, hunting for morel mushrooms, and he found my purse in the brush. Would I like it back?

Well, heck yeah. Everything had been replaced, but I was curious about what might be left.

So I drove up there today and picked it up. Aside from the money, checkbook, credit cards, driver's license and other ID, everything was there. EVEN MY BELOVED PASSPORT!!!!

So now I have my travel past back - all those stamps from all those trips. Bliss...

Everything is in pretty bad shape, but all the passport stamps remain readable - I'm so happy to have it back.

Briefly, here's the result of SSN saga, for anyone who might be curious:

I went to the DMV for a new drivers license to start rebuilding my ID (I had literally nothing after the theft). Expecting a nightmare, I was pleasantly surprised. Told them I had no ID but needed a new license. They looked me up in the computer, looked at digital photo they had on file from my last renewal, looked at me, said "Yep, that's you," snapped another photo and I had a driver's licence in about two weeks.

It took another week to get my birth certificate (it's buried in the basement since the last move and we couldn't find it on short notice).

It took about 2 weeks for new Social Security card (banker backed off on that when she heard the SSA didn't just hand out new numbers on request).

It took about 10 weeks to get a new passport after filing the "stolen" paperwork and submitting a new application.

We were fast enough in notifying our credit card companies (within about two hours of the theft) to prevent any fraudulent charges.

The thief did end up writing about $2,700 in bad checks even though we also reported them stolen right away (I wonder what those check scanners checkout clerks use are good for?). He's been caught and charged with felony forgery (using my DH's name). But he wasn't charged with theft since they can't prove he stole the purse.

All told, it cost us about $2,000 to replace the locks on our house, car keys, wallet, documents, prescription sunglasses, purse contents, purse, etc., and a lot of time spent filling out forms, filing affidavits, talking to police and stores that had been taken by the forged checks, and so on.

But I have my mementos back in the form of my passport, so it's all good.