What does your Social Security number tell about you?

Asked by: Tony Farrell II  |  Last update: October 4, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (45 votes)

Many businesses ask for your SSN because it is a convenient way to identify you in their system. As a result, your social security number can now reveal all kinds of information about you, including places you've lived, your credit history, and maybe even medical conditions.

What information does your social security number have?

The nine-digit SSN is composed of three parts: The first set of three digits is called the Area Number. The second set of two digits is called the Group Number. The final set of four digits is the Serial Number.

Does your social security number tell your age?

The Serial Number, itself, doesn't say anything about your location or age that the Group Number and Area Number don't already say, although since they are assigned consecutively, they could potentially reveal your relative age within a Group and an Area.

What do the first 3 digits of a SSN mean?

The first three (3) digits of a person's social security number are determined by the ZIP Code of the mailing address shown on the application for a social security number.

Do the numbers in Social Security mean anything?

The first set of three digits was the Area Number, and originally represented the state in which a person first applied for a Social Security card. The numbers started in the northeast and moved westward, so that northeasterners had the lowest numbers, and people in the West Coast had the highest ones [source: SSA].

What Your Social Security Number Means

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Can you tell where someone was born by their Social Security number?

The serial number ranges from 0001 to 9999 and is assigned consecutively within each group number. As you can see, your social security number does not expressly say anything about you. Even the area number, which was tied to a location for 76 years, cannot be used to accurately pinpoint a residence.

Can someone have the same last 4 digits of SSN?

Out of 119 people, there is a 50% chance that two of them will have the same last 4 digits in their SSN. Out of 180 people, there is a 80% chance that two of them will have the same last 4 digits in their SSN.

Can two people have the same Social Security number?

"Social Security numbers can be associated with multiple individuals, and that individuals can have multiple SSNs associated with them.

How are Social Security numbers picked?

The two-digit group number divided numbers into blocks within those geographic areas, and the four-digit serial number individualized each full number within that block. The original system reflected the record-keeping needs of a bygone era when Social Security data was organized for storage in filing cabinets.

What can someone do with the last 4 digits of your SSN?

As long as a hacker or scammer has access to other personal information such as your name and address, they can use the last four digits of your SSN (in most cases) to open accounts in your name, steal your money and government benefits, or even get healthcare and tax refunds in your name.

What can someone do with my SSN and DOB?

What Can Someone Do with Your Social Security Number?
  • Open Financial Accounts. Your Social Security number is the most important piece of personal information a bank needs when extending you credit or opening an account. ...
  • Get Medical Care. ...
  • File a Fraudulent Tax Refund. ...
  • Commit Crimes. ...
  • Steal Your Benefits.

Can I change my SSN number?

You can't change your Social Security number simply because your card has been lost or stolen, or to avoid bankruptcy or legitimate debts. The only other reasons Social Security will consider assigning a new number are: Sequential numbers assigned to members of your family are causing confusion.

What shows up on a Social Security background check?

Generally speaking, a background check for employment may show identity verification, employment verification, credit history, driver's history, criminal records, education confirmation, and more.

Who got the first Social Security number?

This particular record, (055-09-0001) belonged to John D. Sweeney, Jr., age 23, of New Rochelle, New York. The next day, newspapers around the country announced that Sweeney had been issued the first SSN.

Do SSN get reused?

To date, 453.7 million different numbers have been issued. Q20: Are Social Security numbers reused after a person dies? A: No. We do not reassign a Social Security number (SSN) after the number holder's death.

How much does it cost to change your Social Security number?

If you do not begin the application online, you will need to fill out and print an Application for a Social Security Card and bring it to your local Social Security office. There is no charge for a Social Security card. This service is free.

Does your SSN change when you change your name?

You will not be charged to apply for or receive the new card, which should arrive 10 to 14 days after your application is processed. Your Social Security number will not change. The Social Security website has an interactive page with more detailed information on what you need to get a new card.

Is your Social Security number worth money?

The claim that numbers on a Social Security card can be used as a routing and account number to make purchases is FALSE, based on our research. The Fed has debunked the claim on numerous occasions.

How do I find out when my SSN was issued?

How to Find the Date When a Social Security Number Was Issued
  1. Visit USATrace.com (see reference). ...
  2. Read the page that opens up and enter the subject's SSN in the provided field. ...
  3. Enter your information into the following page and read the "Terms and Conditions" provided.

How many SSN combinations are there?

There are approximately 420 million numbers available for assignment. However, the previous SSN assignment process limited the number of SSNs available for issuance to individuals by each state.

How many Social Security cards can you get in your lifetime?

You may receive no more than three replacement social security number cards in a year and ten replacement social security number cards per lifetime. We may allow for reasonable exceptions to these limits on a case-by-case basis in compelling circumstances.

What does it mean when a SSN starts with 0?

Serial number 0000 is never used. Each State goes through all of its area numbers with group number 01 and serial numbers 0001-9999 and 7999 before using group number 03. Thus, 989,901 SSN's can be issued for each area number. The g-digit number provides the capacity for assign- ing nearly 1 billion SSN's.

What causes a red flag on a background check?

One of the most common red flags on a background check is inconsistency. If a background check for employment pulls up different information than what the candidate and their resume told you, you need to investigate the matter.

What do employers background check?

The most popular form of background check is Level 3 background check. Criminal records, schooling, past employment, and reference checks are all part of this process. If desired, pre-employment drug test results can be included in Level 3 background check reports.

What happens when you get a new SSN?

Fortunately, you won't have to worry about your Social Security benefits if you change your number—the Social Security Administration links your new number to your old one so your benefits get transferred to the new number.