The Social Security Number is very important and is the identification for many procedures, but can someone else have the same number as me?
How can I get a Social Security number and card?
If you are an immigrant, there are two ways to apply:
– You can apply with the U.S. Department of State in your home country before coming to the U.S. when applying for a visa as an immigrant. In the vast majority of cases, if you apply for your Social Security number and card at the same time you apply for your immigrant visa, you do not have to visit a Social Security office when you arrive in the U.S.
– If you are legally in the U.S, you should contact your local Social Security office. See the section below explaining the documents you must show when you visit the Social Security office. If you are in the U.S. as a nonimmigrant, but do not have permission to work, you can apply in two ways, depending on the type of visa you have.
– If you are lawfully in the U.S. and you file an application for work authorization or permanent resident status with DHS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you can apply for a Social Security number or replacement card. This can be done through the same USCIS application form I-765 (Application for Lawful Permanent Residence or Adjustment of Status) with Form I-485 (Application for Lawful Permanent Residence or Adjustment of Status).
– If you are lawfully in the U.S. and your visa allows you to work in the U.S., then you need to contact your local Social Security office to apply for the SSN and card.
Can the SSN be duplicated?
There are millions of people who have SSNs, and some people think it is unique, but it is not, your number can match several people.
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.
One typical pattern: An imposter uses one name but alternate Social Security numbers in an attempt to circumvent the credit reporting system; ID Analytics is geared up to spot just that kind of evasion. It’s a tough job, because the incidence of multiple numbers connected to the same name is enormous: Dr. Stephen Coggeshall, chief technology officer at the firm, said 20 million Americans have multiple SSNs associated with their names, or 6 percent of the total population.