Valid SSNs
Prior to June 25, 2011, a valid SSN could not have an area number between 734 and 749, or above 772, the highest area number which the Social Security Administration has allocated. Effective June 25, 2011, the SSA assigns SSNs randomly and allows for the assignment of area numbers between 734 and 749 and above 772 through the 800s. This should not be confused with Tax Identification Numbers which include additional area numbers.
There are also special numbers which will never be allocated:
- Numbers with all zeros in any digit group (000-##-####, ###-00-####, ###-##-0000).
- Numbers of the form 666-##-####.
- Numbers from 987-65-4320 to 987-65-4329 are reserved for use in advertisements.
The SSA publishes the last group number used for each area number. Since group numbers are allocated in a regular (if unusual) pattern, it is possible to identify an unissued SSN that contains an invalid group number. Despite these measures, many fraudulent SSNs cannot easily be detected using only publicly available information. In order to do so there are many online services that provide SSN validation.
Unlike many similar numbers, no check digit is included.
Read more about this topic: Social Security Number
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