What does the first 3 digits of your 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. Prior to 1973, social security numbers were assigned by our field offices.
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Does SSN tell where you were born?

SSNs have never been assigned directly to note a person's birthplace; before 1972, the number reflected the location of the office issuing the number, and since 1972, numbers have been assigned by the address written on the application.
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What do the first three numbers of a social security number represent?

Area numbers - The first three numbers originally represented the state in which a person first applied for a Social Security card. Numbers started in the Northeast and moved westward. This meant that people on the East Coast had the lowest numbers, and those on the West Coast had the highest.
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What state was my SSN issued?

1. The first three digits (the area number) of a SSN are determined by the state where the number was issued. You can get the state-assigned list for each 3-digit origination code by visiting http://www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/stateweb.htm.
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How do I decode 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.
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What Your Social Security Number Means



What do the last 4 digits of SSN mean?

The last four digits of the SSN are the serial number. The serial number represents a straight numerical series of numbers from 0001–9999 within each group. Serial number 0000 is not assigned.
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What do the 2 middle numbers in Social Security mean?

The group numbers are the two middle numbers of a social security number. These numbers do not represent the geographical region, but they do represent the order in which a number was issued for a particular region.
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Does your SSN 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.
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Can someone have the same last 4 digits of SSN?

Only the last four digits of your Social Security number are truly random and unique. The first five numbers represent when and where your Social Security card was issued. Scammers can figure out the first five numbers by determining your birth date and hometown.
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Who has Social Security number 1?

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.
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Do twins have similar Social Security Numbers?

We found that similarity between the Social Security Numbers of twin pairs varies markedly by age, and MZ twin pairs have significantly more similar Social Security Numbers than DZ pairs at all ages. Among older twins, there are also significant differences by sex and race.
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Can you change your Social Security 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.
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What do the digits of your SSN mean?

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.
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How much is my Social Security number worth?

The company found that buyers are currently willing to pay just $1 for a Social Security number, which is the same amount they'll pay for user and password information to Brazzers, a pornographic website.
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What are the red numbers on the back of a Social Security card?

7. Sequential Control Number. On the rear of a legitimate card there is a sequential control number. The control number is a combination of alpha and numeric that bears no relation to the actual social security number on the card.
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What can someone do with my SSN and DOB?

A dishonest person who has your Social Security number can use it to get other personal information about you. Identity thieves can use your number and your good credit to apply for more credit in your name. Then, when they use the credit cards and don't pay the bills, it damages your credit.
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What can a scammer do with the last 4 digits of your Social Security number?

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.
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How many SSN combinations are there?

To date, 450+ million SSNs have been issued, but with just under 1 billion possible number combinations, there has never been a need to recycle numbers, and the SSA notes that it does “not reassign a Social Security number (SSN) after the number holder's death.” Of course, at some point the numbers will run out and ...
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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.
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How is a SSN format?

The Social Security number is a nine-digit number in the format "AAA-GG-SSSS".
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What are the 3 types of Social Security?

Social Security Benefits: Retirement, Disability, Dependents, and Survivors (OASDI)
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Why do I have two Social Security numbers?

Many of the duplicate numbers were the result of data entry errors as opposed to deliberate falsification, but the fact that these multiple numbers exist shows that it may be difficult for an organization to rely solely on the SSN to verify an individual's identity.
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Can someone use your Social Security number with a different name?

“The important thing for people to understand is that once someone has your Social Security number, particularly in combination with your name and address, they can do pretty much anything that requires your SSN,” said Brian Focht, an attorney and head of the Law Offices of Brian C.
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How much does it cost to change your Social Security number?

There is no charge for a Social Security card. This service is free. Please read our Coronavirus (COVID-19) information page to learn about changes to Social Security number card requests during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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What does it mean if your Social Security number starts with a 9?

The Social Security Administration does not issue SSNs beginning with the number 9. Numbers beginning with a “9” may be a Social Security Administration issued Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). An ITIN is a tax processing number issued by the IRS that has 9 digits beginning with the number 9.
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