Help is on the way. The government recently announced that they will be changing the official name of the number to "the Social Insecurity Number." Based on years of government committee research, this solution should create a more realistic expectation of what can happen to the number.
I'm more shocked that it took this long for it to happen - hasn't it been known, for years, that the first-five are related to where your SS was issued? I'm honestly surprised it took this long for someone to admit to figuring out how to generate the last four digits of an SSN.
@tetracycloide: Ditto, I've never considered the SS# secure. It's used on too many forms. At best, it's used as a part of security confirmation along with other information.
If someone wants to take the time to figure out my bank account number, my social security number AND my first pet's name, they're entitled to clean out my bank account and all $50 I have there.
@Magicant: it's especially funny because the fact that the first five digits of the social are so common is the reason why the last 4 are used to identify people so frequently and are thus the least secure in day to day use.
@No cool name here... Move along:Yeah, here's 50 dollars. I hope you wont mind that I paid you with my first unemployment check that I took out under your identity.
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If someone wants to take the time to figure out my bank account number, my social security number AND my first pet's name, they're entitled to clean out my bank account and all $50 I have there.
07/09/09
Bank Account Number: 53481273
Social Security Number: 678942589
Pet's Name: Fluffy
Do I win the $50?
:)
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07/09/09