SSA implements new randomization project

Last August, the Social Security Administration began to implement changes to its system that would make it more difficult for identity thieves to steal your identity. These changes are known as the SSA Randomization Project, and they've only become necessary after thieves began to predict the Social Security Numbers of babies that had not even been born yet.

Then, using that Social Security Number, they would be able to use that information for years without detection. In some cases, babies less than a year old have had their identities stolen. Then, they don't realize any damage has been done until years later when they apply for their first loan or credit card.

So how does a Social Security Number work? Well, it's actually fairly simple. The first 3 numbers of your Social Security Number refer to the geographical area code. Originally, this referred to the state in which an individual applied for their Social Security Number. Lower numbers started in the north-eastern United States before moving to the west with higher numbers. If you're curious to see which state goes with which numbers, check this list.

However, in 1972, the SSA got rid of the state-based designation of geographic area codes and started assigning numbers based on ZIP code.

Then next 2 numbers refer to the group number code, which is merely designed to break up each geographic group into separate blocks. This makes it easier to administrate and ensures that each individual gets a unique SSN.

The final four numbers refer to your serial number, which is simply assigned to designate different members of each administrative group. The numbers run sequentially from 0001 to 9999.

Since the current SSN system allows for 1 billion different combinations, the United States will run out of numbers eventually. However, that day is still a little ways off, and for now, the SSA doesn't recycle any old Social Security Numbers.

Thanks to the efforts of the new randomization project, the SSA has made it much harder for thieves to predict which Social Security Number a new baby will be assigned. Unfortunately, since this form of identity theft only made up a small portion of total identity crimes, identity theft is still on the rise, and it has never been more important to protect your identity.

Detecting Identity Theft

ID Watchdog will alert you as soon as any new or changed records containing your personal information are detected during our routine scans.

When you receive an alert, you will be directed into your ID Watchdog account where you will be asked to:

• » Verify the authenticity of any detected records, OR;
• » Report the record as unrecognized

Any record that is unfamiliar to you is a red-flag warning that your identity may have been compromised.

Once you report a record as unrecognized or unfamiliar, ID Watchdog will initiate the resolution process.

Next Step: Resolution

Identity Theft Resolution

In the event that you are presented with a record that is unfamiliar or unrecognized, (for example, an a address for a home you've never lived in or a new credit account you never opened) there is a strong possibility that your identity has been compromised.

Even records which appear to be simple data processing errors need to be addressed in order to prevent an incorrect and potentially damaging evaluation of your credit or personal profile by lenders, creditors, auditors and employers.

ID Watchdog is the only Identity Intelligence Service that employs a team of certified Identity Resolution Experts who will work with you and on your behalf to get any fraudulent information removed from your records.

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