2007-01-21 12:43:03 · 8 answers · asked by thanh n 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Actually, it's a distinct possibility.
The first three digits of your social security number are not assigned sequentially or randomly, but rather are based on the area in which you lived when you originally obtained your SSN (most likely, the place where you were born). Since this information is likely to be widely distributed among friends and family, someone who knew how the area numbers were assigned could probably find out where you were born, and use that information to deduce the first three digits of your SSN. Combining this with the four digits you gave them, finding the other two digits through brute force becomes a tractable problem (e.g. call 100 different banks and try to open an account with them). And there may be even simpler ways -- a sufficiently stupid employee at the social security office might be duped into believing that someone simply "forgot" the middle two digits of their social security number, especially if they were able to supply the other 7.
Obviously, it is an extremely bad idea to disclose any part of your social security number to anyone.
2007-01-21 15:53:03 · answer #1 · answered by Pascal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a mathematical impossibility, since if the last four digits of your SSN determined the other five, then there would be only 10,000 valid SSN's (of course millions of people have social security cards). If you're wondering whether someone could use the last four digits to spoof your identity and obtain the other five, well that's beyond my area of expertise, but I wouldn't make them public either just to be safe.
2007-01-21 12:54:39 · answer #2 · answered by bobqwatson 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mathematically speaking, it's highly improbable. But in "reality" - if that person had your last 4 and access to records of some type or another...
It really depends on who the person is.
2007-01-27 08:53:16 · answer #3 · answered by Kurt 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's possible if they know when/where you were born. If you are worried about someone stealing your identity/credit. Send an alert to the 3 credit bureau's and they will not extend instant credit to you anymore.. a hassle but worth it.
2007-01-28 11:00:40 · answer #4 · answered by Barry B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no - but i would be careful who i give any numbers to
2007-01-28 12:07:33 · answer #5 · answered by iamspiderdad 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If that's the only info they had, no.
2007-01-21 12:47:30 · answer #6 · answered by ckm1956 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2007-01-29 07:33:32 · answer #7 · answered by lester_day 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2007-01-26 13:31:06 · answer #8 · answered by hinkydinkyparlezvous 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋