Do the numbers in your social security number mean anything?
Table of Contents
Do the numbers in your social security number 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 says about you?
The Serial 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.
What do the first 5 digits of SSN mean?
Number Has 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.
How do I read my Social Security number?
Decode Social Security Number. The nine-digit Social Security Number is broken into 3 parts – the Area, Group, and Series. The Area number is the first three digits of a Social Security Number, the Group number is the middle two digits and the Series number is the final four digits.
What can someone do with your SSN?
Once someone has your Social Security number, they can essentially become you. They may be able to collect tax refunds, collect benefits and income, commit crimes, make purchases, set up phone numbers and websites, establish residences, and use health insurance—all in your name.
How much can I sell a SSN for?
Basic stolen identity information on a US citizen, which only includes the Social Security number, full name and birth date, can range from $1 to $8 per person. But in some cases, hackers will package the offering with the victim’s stolen credit card information, and charge from $20 to $75.
How do hackers get SSN?
It’s surprisingly easy for hackers and criminals to get your Social Security number. This usually happens either by physically getting the information or through a security breach of some kind online.