When handling affairs in the U.S. that involve identity information, the conversation almost always follows a set pattern. The staff member's first sentence is always "Hello," and the second sentence is invariably, "What is your Social Security number?" Whether you are going to a bank, an insurance company, or reporting to a company, as long as you need to prove your identity or deal with matters related to your identity, this is the case without exception.
When you apply for a job, the company's HR manager will certainly ask for your Social Security number to conduct a background check before sending you an offer letter. In the U.S., whether your background is clean is not verified by others' testimonials, but by your Social Security card. Whether you have a criminal record or unpaid debts is all recorded here. It can be said that every time you handle a matter, you have to "strip bare" in front of the staff.
After you go through the relevant procedures and obtain your Social Security card, the Social Security Administration will kindly remind you when sending you the documents not to keep your Social Security card in your wallet to prevent it from being stolen. In other words, money can be stolen, but your Social Security card cannot. This is because compared to us, Americans seem relatively simple; we are a society of acquaintances, while they are a society of rules that recognizes the number rather than the person. When a staff member holds your Social Security number, they only recognize that number. Regardless of whether the person standing in front of them is from India or Egypt, Americans will acknowledge that the person in front of them is that number, and all responsibilities will be borne by you. If someone possesses your Social Security card, at best, they can use it to apply for credit cards or open bank accounts, causing you financial loss; at worst, they can directly impersonate you, apply for a driver's license with their own photo attached, and misappropriate your tax refunds or government benefits. In the U.S., this is called "identity theft," and the consequences of identity theft are very serious.
The U.S. is very strict about the application and management of Social Security cards, especially after "9/11." The U.S. government stipulates that foreign students coming to the U.S. are not allowed to apply for a Social Security card if they do not have a job. However, the U.S. concept of a "job" may be different from our understanding; that is to say, it is quite rigid, and there is no specific definition of what kind of job it is. Without an actual "job," no one will do this for you, because no one wants to break the law. The U.S. is a society where everything must be done according to the law.
The above is the relevant information on how to apply for a Social Security card in the U.S. We hope this is helpful to applicants.