One of the most common initial searches we conduct on almost each matter is the verification of a Social Security Number’s owner. The below FAQs provide a basic grounding in how the SSA administers SSNs. (There actually is a logical structure in place!)
SSN FAQs:
- Do I have to get an SSN?
- The IRS declares US Citizens who receive income are required to have an SSN and employers are required to report income to the IRS using this SSN.
- Can I give up (renounce) my number?
- The SSA does not recognize any procedure for renouncing your SSN. The one exception is that a parent who can show that a number was assigned to their child without the parent’s consent and that parent can get the number removed from the SSA’s records.
- How do I get a replacement card?
- You can get a replacement card from the Social Security Administration, using form SS-5
- Can I get a new number?
- Someone is offering to get me a new SSN; is this legal?
- The SSA does not have a specific set policies about issuing new SSNs. They will only rarely issue a new SSN to someone who has a significant problem with a stalker or identity theft. In either case, the local SSA office must be convinced that you have tried all reasonable avenues for handling these problems, and the problem continues to reappear because someone is tracking you through your SSN, or because the identity thief continues to create new false credit reports via misuse of your SSN. The SSA has a new publication on what to do When Someone Misuses Your Number discussing Identity Theft in general terms. It says If you can prove that you’re being disadvantaged because someone used your Social Security number, visit your local Social Security office to request a new one. If you’ve done all you can to fix the problem and someone is still using your number, under certain circumstances, the SSA may assign you a new number. They do recommend that you file a report with both Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 and the FTC.
- What do the first three digits of my SSN say about where I was born?
- The details are available below. The first three digits reflect the location of the residence given on the application for an SSN. They used to depend only on the SSA office that issued the number. The SSA regularly publishes tables showing the latest numbers being issued for each area.
THIS DATA IS STRICTLY FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES
Notes:
1. The same area, when shown more than once, means that certain numbers have been transferred from one State to another, or that an area has been divided for use among certain geographic locations.
2. Any number beginning with 000 will NEVER be a valid SSN.
3.Blanks indicate new designations not yet assigned.
4.700-728 Issuance of these numbers to railroad employees was discontinued July 1, 1963.
Our Operatives: Street smart; info savvy.
As always, be safe.
Filed under: General Information, Social Security Information | Tagged: identify theft, irs, new SSN, social security number, ssa, SSN, what does your SSN mean | Leave a Comment »
