SSA is proposing to change the way that we assign SSNs. We intend to eliminate the geographical significance of the first three digits of the SSN (the ``area number'') by no longer allocating entire area numbers for assignment to individuals in specific States. Instead, the SSN will be randomly assigned from the remaining pool of available SSNs, and the first three digits of the SSN will no longer have any geographical significance. We believe that by changing the way we assign the SSN we will ensure that there will be a reliable supply of SSNs for years to come. Additionally, we believe that this will also help reduce opportunities for identity theft and SSN fraud and misuse.
A couple of questions come to mind. Why does Social Security need to publish something in the Federal Register about this? Issuing Social Security numbers on a geographic basis was never required by regulation. It was merely a matter of administrative convenience in the days before widespread computerization. Second, how does this help prevent identity theft? Anyone who knows the system can tell from my Social Security number that I was living in a certain part of North Carolina when I received my Social Security number. So what? How would that knowledge help someone in a criminal enterprise?
It seems to me that there may be more practical reasons behind this. A computer system that has to assign Social Security numbers both geographically and randomly is more complicated than one which assigns Social Security numbers merely randomly across the entire country.
This may sound silly, but I am already nostalgic for geographically assigned Social Security numbers.
It seems to me that there may be more practical reasons behind this. A computer system that has to assign Social Security numbers both geographically and randomly is more complicated than one which assigns Social Security numbers merely randomly across the entire country.
This may sound silly, but I am already nostalgic for geographically assigned Social Security numbers.
1 comment:
I agree that the prevent identity theft reason sounds like BS. To have geographical assigned numbers is to me more likely to catch identity theft. It might bring into question someone providing and SSN with a New York Area SSN, but saying they were born in Texas. I would assume most people that steal SSNs have no idea the first three number mean anything and now they won't.
Having to stretch out the numbers they have left probably needs to be done, but should have just left it at that.
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