As of June 25, 2011, the Social Security Administration (SSA) began changing the way Social Security Numbers (SSNs) are issued.   This new method is referred to as “randomization,” and it’s supposed to prevent SSA from running out of SSNs in certain states.  Also, as the SSN is increasingly used by public and private entities in conjunction with other tools and processes for identity verification, instances of SSN fraud, misuse, and identity theft are also on the rise. SSN randomization will help protect an individual’s SSN by making it more difficult to reconstruct an SSN using public information.

Evidently the current SSN assignment process limits the number of SSNs that are available for issuance to individuals in each state.  Changing the assignment process will extend the longevity of the 9-digit SSN in all states.

So What has Changed About Social Security Numbers?

When SSN Randomization began, the following changes took effect effect regarding how Social Security Numbers are issued:

• SSA will no longer issue SSN’s based on geography (state and local area);
• SSA will eliminate the significance of the highest group number and will freeze the Highest Group List in time and will use the list to validate SSNs issued prior to the randomization implementation date;
• Previously unassigned area numbers will be introduced for assignment excluding area numbers 000, 666 and 900-999.

What you need to know

If you are using scanning programs that screen for bogus SSNs by applying the former rules of geographical significance, “highest group” listing or formerly unassigned three-number combinations, you would want to inquire if the program has been updated to accommodate the new randomization of assignment of SSNs.  It is also worthwhile to know that SSA has never assigned an SSN

• with the first 3 digits of 000, 666, or 900 series; and
• prior to June 25, 2011, SSN has never assigned an SSN with the first 3 digits of 000, 666, above 772 in the 700 series, 800 series and 900 series.
• SSN has never assigned an SSN with the 2nd digits of 00 or the last 4 digits of 0000.

You can find out more about randomization here For FAQ’s, here and here for an Overview of the SSNVS Verification System.