Prev Next

How Social Security Numbers Work

By: Patrick J. Kiger  |  Updated: Jan 12, 2022

Lots More Information

Related Articles

More Great Links

  • Borland, Jim. "Need to Change Your Name on Your Social Security Card?" Social Security Administration. Dec. 9, 2021. ( Jan. 4, 2022) https://blog.ssa.gov/need-to-change-your-name-on-your-social-security-card/
  • Javelin Strategy. "2021 Identity Fraud Study: Shifting Angles." Javelin Strategy. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://www.javelinstrategy.com/content/2021-identity-fraud-report-shifting-angles-identity-fraud
  • Jeffries, Adrianne. "Identity crisis: how Social Security numbers became our insecure national ID." The Verge. Sept. 26, 2012. (Jan. 3, 2021) https://www.theverge.com/2012/9/26/3384416/social-security-numbers-national-ID-identity-theft-nstic
  • Kagan, Julia. "Social Security Number (SSN)." Investopedia. Sept. 20, 2021. (Jan. 3, 2021) https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/ssn.asp
  • National Center for Transgender Equality. "Know Your Rights: Social Security." National Center for Transgender Equality. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://transequality.org/know-your-rights/social-security
  • Office for Victims of Crime. "Identity Theft and Financial Fraud." Office for Victims of Crime. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://ovc.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh226/files/pubs/ID_theft/idtheftlaws.html
  • Singletary, Michelle. "No, that's not the government calling threatening to 'suspend' your Social Security number." Washington Post. July 8, 2019. (Jan. 3, 2021) https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/07/08/no-thats-not-government-calling-threatening-suspend-your-social-security-number/
  • Social Security Administration. "Can I change my Social Security number?" Social Security Administration. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-02220
  • Social Security Administration. "The First Social Security Number and the Lowest Number." Social Security Administration. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://www.ssa.gov/history/ssn/firstcard.html
  • Social Security Administration. "Frequently Asked Questions." Social Security Administration. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10064.pdfhttps://www.ssa.gov/history/hfaq.html#:~:text=A%3A%20No.,after%20the%20number%20holder's%20death.
  • Social Security Administration. "Historical Background and Development Of Social Security." Social Security Administration. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://www.ssa.gov/history/briefhistory3.html
  • Social Security Administration. "Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number." July 2021. (Jan. 4, 2022)
  • Social Security Administration. "Origin of the Term 'Social Security.'" Social Security Bulletin. Spring 1992. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v55n1/v55n1p63.pdf
  • Social Security Administration. "Report to Congress on Options for Enhancing the Social Security Card." Social Security Administration. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://www.ssa.gov/history/reports/ssnreportc2.html
  • Social Security Administration. "Research Note #3: Details of Ida May Fuller's Payroll Tax Contributions." Social Security Administration. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://www.ssa.gov/history/idapayroll.ht
  • Social Security Administration. "Social Security Cards Issued by Woolworth." Social Security Administration. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://www.ssa.gov/history/ssn/misused.html
  • Social Security Administration. "Social Security Number and Card." Social Security Administration. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/
  • Social Security Administration. "Social Security Numbers for Children." Social Security Administration. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10023.pdf
  • Social Security Administration. "Social Security Number Randomization." Social Security Administration. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://www.ssa.gov/employer/randomization.html
  • Social Security Administration. "Social Security Number Randomization Frequently Asked Questions." Social Security Administration. (Jan. 4, 2022) https://www.ssa.gov/employer/randomizationfaqs.html
  • Social Security Administration. "The SSN Numbering Scheme." (Jan. 4, 2022) https://www.ssa.gov/history/ssn/geocard.html
  • Social Security Administration. "Understanding the Benefits." Social Security Administration. January 2022 (Jan. 3, 2022) https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10024.pdf
Citation