One of the benefits of being a US citizen, greencard holder, and in some cases, of having a valid non-immigrant status is being issued a social security number issued by the Social Security Administration.
A social security number is the most consequential number linked to one's person. It stays with the holder forever. It must be memorized by heart and not to be disclosed to anyone else except in very important transactions. It is the most prized and highly valuable loot among identity thieves. A social security number opens up a lot of opportunities for the holder such as obtaining and maintaining a job, opening up bank and credit card accounts, applying for loans, securing a mortgage and all other financial related transactions. Thus, it is important to store the card at a secure place where its loss is prevented.
That is what I did when I was issued my social security card. I put it in the safest place I know where I can easily retrieve it. However, and this I am sure all of you can relate, that the more we try to prevent the loss of something valuable, the higher the chance that we forget where we placed it. And that just what happened to me. After someone asked me for it because of a very important transaction, I realized that I lost my social security card. I cannot remember where did I place it.
So I have to secure a replacement card. I could do it online since my issuing state is New York and is listed as one of the participating states. You have to check if your issuing state qualifies. Or I could choose to go to the SSA office and file it personally but just like any other government office, I have to endure the long lines and the waiting time.
At this point, I am just hoping that I misplaced it. I hope it was not stolen and passed off to some identity thief who could use my number in nefarious ways.
Lesson learned: Do not lose your card, or at least, as in my case, always remember where you placed it.