SSN lost in mail after POE

[Seattle1 0]

Hi guys,

 

I originally activated my visa at the POE in March of this year. I am now back in Australia getting everything in line so that I can move over.

I am still waiting on my social security card to be sent to my address in the US but nothing has shown up. I confirmed at POE that it should be sent out in about two weeks of entering the country and I did confirm in my interview that I would like a SSN as a part of my DS-260 form. 

I spoke with the local social security office today and they have directed me to apply for a number again using the SS5 document. 

I don't know what to do here because technically I already have a SSN but I've never received it so I don't know what the number is. I can't apply for a replacement card because I don't know what the number is. If I apply for a new one, surely the SS office will find out that I already have a number.

 

Also, if anyone has any insight; if I apply for a new SSN via mail, will the office require my original passport document that has my visa inside it? I feel weird about mailing my passport overseas.

 

Thanks for any help you may offer guys!

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Do you know for certain that a card was sent, or are you just assuming it was because it was "supposed" to happen? A not insignificant minority of cases never get their SSNs despite ticking the box. The only real way to know for certain is to visit a SSA office in person as far as I know, so it will probably have to wait for your return to the US. I don't believe you can apply via mail or from outside the US if it's not just a standard replacement.

[Seattle1 0]

Hi Susie! As always, thank you for your help with these topics. I confirmed with the SSO that it had been lost in the mail unfortunately. We both had tracking numbers. Would you suggest going to the US and doing this in person?

 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, Seattle1 said:

Hi Susie! As always, thank you for your help with these topics. I confirmed with the SSO that it had been lost in the mail unfortunately. We both had tracking numbers. Would you suggest going to the US and doing this in person?

 

If you confirmed that it's been issued and lost, then you should be able to get your number from the records and apply for a replacement. I was reading quite recently of someone in Australia who found out their lost SSN number (in their case from a previous stay in the US but same principle) from ....someone...attached to the US embassy. Unfortunately I can't remember the details.

 

Now, not to get panicky, but identity theft/fraud is a big issue and I'd suggest you try track down your number ASAP, if for nothing else than to check that it's not being used fraudulently.