Unfortunately, yes. Many banks, government agencies, and other financial institutions only ask for the last four digits to confirm your identity. With those four digits, plus a bit more of your personal information, scammers could open accounts, access your bank, or apply for benefits in your name.
Out of 119 people, there is a 50% chance that two of them will have the same last 4 digits in their SSN. Out of 180 people, there is a 80% chance that two of them will have the same last 4 digits in their SSN. Out of 300 people, then there is more than 99% probability that two of them will have the same number.
You should always make sure to have your accounts secured, but nobody's going to be able to do anything with just the last four digits of your social.
Banks may require the last four digits of your Social Security Number for identity verification, but they will never ask for the full number via text or phone.
You might be asked to confirm those numbers to ensure the right card is being charged. You might also be asked to confirm them when buying something online with a saved card number to ensure you're really you and not someone who's hacked into an account. You can't tell a credit card number by the last four digits.
Sometimes, you may need to provide your Social Security number (SSN) to an employer, accountant, or financial institution, or it might be required if you're applying for credit, a loan, or government benefits. However, you should never send your SSN by email.
In most cases, the last 4-5 digits of your social security number can be used in a legitimate way to verify a candidate. If the recruiter hasn't passed all the above checks or is showing any signs of being a scam, we still would recommend waiting to provide that information until you have completed your interview.
ALL employers (NOT just Home Depot) must REQUEST a persons SSN AND then see proof of citizenship i.e. Driver's license/State ID (that does NOT say “NOT FOR FEDERAL ID.”)
If you know your Social Security information has been compromised, you can request to Block Electronic Access. This is done by calling our National 800 number (Toll Free 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
The G represents one of the 9 (?) Federal Reserve Banks; go to the Federal Reserves Web Site and look up what state is representative of your letter.
Social Security offers two options to verify Social Security numbers: The Social Security Number Verification Service - This free online service allows registered users to verify that the names and Social Security numbers of hired employees match Social Security's records.
Identity Theft: If you think an identity thief is using your SSN to work or to collect benefits, call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. If you think someone may be using your SSN to work, check your Social Security Personal Earnings and Benefit Statement.
There is NO COST to place or lift a security freeze. For more information, see detailed instructions entitled “Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit Report to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft” below. 5. Review your credit reports carefully.
Are full Social Security numbers displayed on court documents? Only the last four digits of a Social Security Number (SSN) are displayed on court documents.
A truncated SSN is the last four digits of an SSN. It is considered sensitive Personally Identifiable Information (PII), both stand-alone and when associated with any other identifiable information. Secure methods must be employed if needing to electronically transmit a truncated SSN.
While the concern is valid, it's also important to understand that staffing agencies will require the last four digits of your social security number (SSN) when you are applying for a job or contract position.
US federal law requires financial institutions like NALA to obtain the last four digits of your social security number (SSN).
As long as a hacker or scammer has access to other personal information such as your name and address, they can use the last four digits of your SSN (in most cases) to open accounts in your name, steal your money and government benefits, or even get healthcare and tax refunds in your name.
Be careful when giving people the last four digits of your number. Sometimes people will ask for the last four digits of your Social Security number. Be sure to keep those numbers safe because they're unique to you. Dishonest people can find out the other numbers in your Social Security number, but not the last four.
The last four digits are commonly used by organizations and businesses for verification purposes. They may be used to confirm a person's identity in financial transactions, employment processes, and other situations requiring identity verification.
Don't Send Your SSN by Email or Text Message
Because a hacker might intercept the number and use it to commit fraud. Safe alternatives to sending an SSN include: Password-protected and encrypted file-sharing services.
You can access free copies of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. It's important to check all three reports (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) as lenders sometimes only report to one or two of the credit reporting agencies.
You can call the SSA to lock your SSN. Contact them at 1-800-772-1213, and make sure you have additional proof of your identity when you speak to them. Additional forms of identification could include a driver's license or passport.