Given two social security numbers

[mflip 17]

Hi all, 

 

so I entered the states on my IR1 visa a few weeks back. I went and applied for my SSN and got everything set up while securing a job. 

anyway a day after I applied for my SSN I got my card in the mail, I thought it was odd then realised I checked the box on my DS-260 to get it issued on entry (completely forgot about it in the excitement and exhaustion of moving across) 

 

anyway back in the UK now finishing up my notice for my job and packing a few more things and my wife told me a second card had been delivered. 
 

how bad is this? How do I fix it? And will I get in trouble? 
most a total mess up on my end as I completely forgot about the DS-260 box I checked for my SSN to be assigned automatically…. 
 

what do I do? How do I rectify this situation 

very scared and don’t want to get in trouble 

 

thanks in advance 

[Timona 3,941]

Go back to SSO and get it fixed 🤷🏽‍♂️

I wouldn't use any until they tell me which one they'll retain 

[mflip 17]

8 minutes ago, Timona said:

Go back to SSO and get it fixed 🤷🏽‍♂️

I wouldn't use any until they tell me which one they'll retain 

Yeah, 

 

I’ve already filled my first one into my job I got…. I didn’t even think another one was coming till this one appeared.

 

can I do the fox over the phone as I won’t be in the states till the 17th September 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

1 hour ago, mflip said:

Yeah, 

 

I’ve already filled my first one into my job I got…. I didn’t even think another one was coming till this one appeared.

 

can I do the fox over the phone as I won’t be in the states till the 17th September 

Fix it when you get back. This isn’t a crisis and no earnings are going to be reported on at least one of them. (I don’t know if you have started employment yet.)  

[mflip 17]

17 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Fix it when you get back. This isn’t a crisis and no earnings are going to be reported on at least one of them. (I don’t know if you have started employment yet.)  

Thanks! 
 

I just was told it’s a federal crime to have two and didn’t want to get into trouble through a misunderstanding of mine… 

 

I have the job but not starting officially until October 17th so that’s good! 
 

thanks for the help 

[Chancy 6,233]

*** Moved from Moving to the US forum to the SSN sub-forum ***

 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

1 hour ago, mflip said:

Thanks! 
 

I just was told it’s a federal crime to have two and didn’t want to get into trouble through a misunderstanding of mine… 

 

I have the job but not starting officially until October 17th so that’s good! 
 

thanks for the help 

 You want all your earnings associated with one number because you are accruing future retirement and Medicare benefits. And your employer and financial institutions will be reporting earnings to the IRS on your number so of course it would be a mess to sort out if you spread things across two accounts. 
 

An interesting article to read saying more than 20 million Americans have multiple Social Security numbers associated with their name.  Yeah, I don’t think anybody is going to be looking for you. 
 

Article https://www.cnbc.com/id/38678753 

[Letspaintcookies 2,207]

Thanks to a kinda similar mix up I have two numbers too. The answer I got from SSA after I asked what to do was to just not use the second one 🤷‍♀️ 

Nothing can be done about it anymore. The numbers are yours for life and can't be deleted. You can ask to have them linked together what they most likely already are and stick to the number you already used. Keep the second card safe or have it destroyed at the SSA office. 

[Yan yan 19]

I've had this issue before. Last year when my work permit was issued, I read that within 7 days after getting my permit, I would be issued my ssn. That didn't happen and like you I had a job just waiting to complete the process. I made an appt with ssa and went to do my application.  2 weeks after my ssn was issued and then 2 weeks after that, another mail came with a different card number. I had already distributed the 1st number to my banks, dmv and my job so when I went to the appt to get it fixed, they did their thing and they said the new number would be 'deleted' however I was given back the new card with an attachment as a just in case for future reference. I kept using the first one I was issued and so far I haven't had any issues. 

[mflip 17]

1 hour ago, Yan yan said:

I've had this issue before. Last year when my work permit was issued, I read that within 7 days after getting my permit, I would be issued my ssn. That didn't happen and like you I had a job just waiting to complete the process. I made an appt with ssa and went to do my application.  2 weeks after my ssn was issued and then 2 weeks after that, another mail came with a different card number. I had already distributed the 1st number to my banks, dmv and my job so when I went to the appt to get it fixed, they did their thing and they said the new number would be 'deleted' however I was given back the new card with an attachment as a just in case for future reference. I kept using the first one I was issued and so far I haven't had any issues. 

 Thanks for that! I’m a lot less panicked now! 
Hopefully I get a simple since answer like you both had. 
 

I’ll make sure I go to the office as soon as I can when I return! 

[Letspaintcookies 2,207]

6 hours ago, mflip said:

 Thanks for that! I’m a lot less panicked now! 
Hopefully I get a simple since answer like you both had. 
 

I’ll make sure I go to the office as soon as I can when I return! 

Don't sweat it. It's really not as big of a deal as some say it would be. 

One can even request to get a different number under some circumstances and since numbers won't get completely deleted they'll have two numbers going forward which are linked to each other and it's totally fine.

 

It would be a problem if you would make up a number or get a different number under false pretenses but since it happened through no-fault of your own you're not gonna get in trouble. 

[Izuku Midoriya 15]

Hi,

How long did it take you to receive your second card from the date of visit to the SSA office?