The Care and Dissection of Social Security Numbers

Copyright held by The John Cooke Fraud Report. Reprint rights are granted with attribution to The John Cooke Fraud Report with a link to this website.

HEY, BABY, WHAT’S YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER?

Editor’s Note: In our May/June 1994 issue, we published an investigative “HOW-TO” guide to social security numbers. Since that time, we have received more reprint requests for that single article than for anything we’ve printed since. It’s scary, but even one of the IRS offices asked to reprint the information for distribution to their employees. “We never knew about this,” they claimed.

What follows is a reprint of that article, updated charts (through July 31, 1995) and some additional pertinent information provided by Dan King, the SIU guru from Dallas, Texas.

By Leslie Kim

Social Security Numbers (SSN) are more than consecutive numbers assigned to consecutive applicants. The numbers really do mean something. Understanding their secrets can greatly help the investigator.

SSNs contain nine numerals: a set of three, followed by a set of two and a set of four.

For example: 123-45-6789

The first three digits are commonly known as an “area number” This number currently indicates in what state the number holder lived when the SSN was issued_ The state is derived from the zip code in the mailing address on the SSN application. Glancing at chart #1, we see that 123 was originally issued to applicants listing their addresses in New York State.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) did not begin to issue 600 series numbers until 1983. They do not plan 800’s until well into the next century and 900’s until well after that. On occasions where a 900 number is provided by a claimant, it is not a SSN. It is possible, however, that it is a “TINS,” which is a number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in a case where taxes are being paid by someone without a valid SSN — most often a non-citizen who is reporting USA income.

The 700 series was reserved for railroad employees and the numbers were issued through the Railroad Board, but new number issuance in the 700 series was discontinued effective July 1, 1963. It is thus rare to come across 700’s, and those few that you may see will generally belong to individuals above the age of 50.

The “secret” of the fourth and fifth number is far less commonly known, but it can provide many clues to the investigator who has access to the SSA’s Highest Group Issued print-out. Chart #2 is current as of July 31, 1995. Please refer to the shaded box for information on how to directly access this information.

Within each area of issuance (the 123), the group numbers (the 45) range from 01 to 99, but are NOT assigned in consecutive order. For SSA administrative reasons, group numbers are assigned in the following sequence within each area number:
ODD numbers from 01 through 09
EVEN numbers from 10 through 98
EVEN numbers from 02 through 08
ODD numbers from 11 through 99.

Thus, by using chart #1 and chart 1/2, it is possible to determine whether an SSN has been assigned. If the group number has not yet been issued for a particular area, then the SSN provided by a number holder is simply incorrect or could be an attempt at fraud.

Let’s try a few examples:

(1) Joe Claimant is 46 years old and states that he has been an Oregon construction worker all of his adult life. The SSN he provides is 383-19-2222.

Hmmmmm… The State of issue is Michigan and 19’s have not yet even been issued. So, even if he had a short stint as a Michigan resident (when he made application), the 19 is still invalid.

(2) Fred Passenger is a 21-year-old Californian. The SSN he provides is 547-03-6666.

Hmmmmm… 547 checks … but 03? The simple fact is that a 21-year-old could NOT have a 547-03 SSN. No way!

(3) Frieda Fraud is 25 years old and states she’s been working at the Stardust Hotel and Casino as a cocktail waitress for two years. The SSN she provides is 388-13-8888.

Hmmmmm… She got her SSN, using a home address in Wisconsin, during the month of April 1994. (The “*” next to a number on chart #2 denotes a new number first issued in that very month.) So, what number was Frieda using for the past two years? Or, are we to believe the Stardust never asked for one?

A little disclaimer may be appropriate here: The SSA will, on rare occasion, issue a replacement SSN to an applicant. This has been done only in cases of confirmable SSN abuse (by another), confusion/scrambled earnings between siblings with sequentially issued numbers or religious objections to certain (ie: 666) number combinations.

(4) Billy Bob Trucker lists his SSN as 801-26-9999.

Hmmmmm… We hope he lives in Utah and he’s given us his area code and the first six digits of his phone number by mistake … because it’s sure not his SSN!

So, what happens if a claimant or witness or other individual provides a highly questionable SSN? Is fraud an absolute?

No, it just indicates that:

(1) An honest error has been made (maybe Billy Bob Trucker thought he said 301 – which would check out). In that case the investigator needs to confirm the supplied information by obtaining a photocopy of the actual card.

(2) Or, the number provided is fraudulent and for unknown reasons the individual is purporting it to be his own. This should be treated as a red flag, indicating the need for further investigation.

What are some other ways to make use of the information gleaned from the SSN? If the number looks right and may indeed be an actual number, but the investigator doubts it belongs to the individual who provided it, it may make sense to add a few questions should the opportunity arise to question the number giver (in a phone interview, a recorded statement, a deposition, etc.). Right after the individual provides the information for the record, one might ask “Where and when did you obtain this card?” and then see if the answer checks out with the known information. Again, if the answer does not make sense, you do not have a guaranteed fraud, just another red flag and reason to scrutinize the other information carefully.

Finally, many data services are available that, for a fee, will “run” a SSN. The findings, however, only indicate if the number has been used by anyone for obtaining credit or filing a death claim. There are sometimes other “hints” contained in these reports, however, if the investigator knows where to look.

For instance, perhaps charts #1 and #2 indicate that the card was obtained using an Iowa residence address during the past year — yet the number has been used on credit
applications in another state for the past five years. Or, perhaps the number shows a death claim, yet it is now being used on credit applications.

Visually determining if a card is fraudulent, by appearance alone, is nearly impossible because there have been so many variations in the cards issued over the years. In fact, there have been 44 different versions of the original and duplicate Social Security cards issued since 1936, all of which are still valid if presented by the number holders. There are, however, no characteristics common to all of these cards which would enable someone to instinctively know that a particular card is counterfeit. The sharp-eyed investigator might look to confirm that the card has perforated edges on all but the right side.

Cards issued in October 1983 or later (as determined by the version shown on the back, bottom left of the card) are the new counterfeit-resistant card. The card has the same size and basic design as prior cards but it looks very different. The front contains a marbleized light blue security tint, with the words “Social Security” in white. Intaglio (raised) printing is used in some areas on the front of the card, and can be detected by running a finger over the surface of the card. The front and back of the card contain yellow, pink and blue planchets (small discs) which can appear anywhere on the card. However, only individuals who applied for an original or replacement card after October 1983 will have this card.

Thus, if a claimant presents a card that was recently issued, according to the “Monthly List of Highest Number Issued” list, yet the card is the old style — as opposed to the new counterfeit-resistant style, the investigator or adjuster has ample reason to suspect the authenticity of the card. In such a case, additional investigation is warranted.

If properly used, SSNs can provide a wealth of information to the knowing investigator.