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Social Security Number (SSN)

Social Security Numbers consist of nine digits (000-00-0000). The first three digits are the Area Number.  The middle two digits are the Group Number. The last four digits are the Serial Number.

Area Numbers are assigned to geographical locations, except 700-729 which was assigned to railroad workers.

Group Numbers are assigned by the order in which SSNs are issued for a particular area.

Serial Numbers are assigned in chronological order.

Prior to 1972, Social Security cards were issued in local Social Security offices around the country. After 1972, the Social Security Administration began issuing Social Security Numbers centrally from Baltimore, MD USA. Thus, the Area Number does not necessarily represent the State of residence of the applicant.

Since October 30, 1983, all Social Security cards issue new or as replacement cards are now made of banknote paper to prevent counterfeiting.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is changing the way Social Security Numbers (SSNs) are issued. This change is referred to as "randomization." The SSA is developing this new method to help protect the integrity of the SSN. SSN Randomization will also extend the longevity of the nine-digit SSN nationwide.

The SSA began assigning the nine-digit SSN in 1936 for the purpose of tracking workers' earnings over the course of their lifetimes to pay benefits. Since its inception, the SSN has always been comprised of the three-digit area number, followed by the two-digit group number, and ending with the four-digit serial number. Since 1972, the SSA has issued Social Security cards centrally and the area number reflects the state, as determined by the ZIP code in the mailing address of the application.

There are currently 435 million numbers available for assignment. However, the current SSN assignment process limits the number of SSNs that are available for issuance to individuals by each state. Changing the assignment methodology will extend the longevity of the nine digit SSN in all states. On July 3, 2007, the SSA published its intent to randomize the nine-digit SSN in the Federal Register Notice, Protecting the Integrity of Social Security Numbers [Docket No. SSA 2007-0046].

SSN randomization will affect the SSN assignment process in the following ways:

• It will eliminate the geographical significance of the first three digits of the SSN, currently referred to as the area number, by no longer allocating the area numbers for assignment to individuals in specific states.
• It will eliminate the significance of the highest group number and, as a result, the High Group List will be frozen in time and can be used for validation of 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.

These changes to the SSN may require systems and/or business process updates to accommodate SSN randomization.

Social Security Number Numbering Scheme.

Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS).

"Reported" dates for an address.

In our Research Reports, under the Address/Addresses caption we list the date/date range an address was 'reported.'  These dates/date ranges are when one or more sources listed the address as the most recent address for the subject in their file(s).

"Reported" dates for an address are not assurance that a subject is/was at the address on that/those date(s), but the most recent and most consistent reported dates are one of several indications we use in locating a subject's probable residential address.

Skip Tracing

Definition of skip tracing: A skip is a person who skips out without paying a debt.  Tracing is the art of locating the skip.  Skip tracing is an old collection agency term.

Our Skip Trace Reports include developing a subject's:

1. Social Security Number (SSN)*
2. Date of birth (DOB)
3. Alias(es)
4. Most recently reported address(es)
5. Address validation
6. Geo-location

... and, when we can:

1. Phone number(s)
2. Phone number validation
3. Email address(es)
4. Email validation
5. Internet search information on the subject
6. Possible relatives
7. Possible associates

Address validation determines whether an address is commercial/business or residential, that the address is complete (includes unit/apartment number if appropriate), and when possible who owns the real property at the address (it may be the subject, or a relative, and property records usually list the value of the property).  Address validation also includes a map of the address and, when available, a photograph of the buildings(s) at the address (which can reveal the environment in which the subject resides).

On the Internet we search for information about the subject which may include profession/employment leads, a photograph, and other items helpful in identifying the subject.

Possible relatives & possible associates identify people who either reside with the subject or likely are in contact with the subject and know the subject's whereabouts.  This information can be helpful to your process server if the subject is not found at the developed address, or for substitute service of a regular member of the subject's household.

Click here to order a skip trace report.

Our skip trace services are not available to the public.  We work exclusively for insurers and the legal profession. 

Skip tracing is accomplished to locate persons and business entities.

* [In compliance with SSN Protection – HRS §487J-2.]

Note: Our Asset/Financial Profile & Background Research includes a subject's address history but does not include skip tracing to locate a subject.

Geo-Location

It is now common to navigate by the Global Positioning System.  You, or your process server, put in the destination we provide in our Research Report and the system maps out a route.

An example of a GPS navigator is the Garmin nuvi 3760T.

Click on the above image to learn more.