Your Social Security number is used for a variety of purposes, including employment, tax filing, opening bank and retirement accounts, and benefit applications. As concerns about data breaches and identity theft grow, it’s critical to ensure your SSN is genuine and not being misused.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to verifying your number, recognizing warning signs, and keeping your identity secure in 2025.
A valid SSN always has nine digits in the format AAA GG SSSS, but not all combinations are genuine. Numbers beginning with 000, 666, or greater than 899 are typically invalid for standard use.
Furthermore, sequences such as AAA-00-SSSS or AAA-GG-0000 are nonstandard and may indicate error or fraud. Since 2011, the Social Security Administration has used a randomized system to issue numbers, making it unlikely that high starting digits are valid without context.
How to confirm your SSN with official sources
To obtain the most accurate results, contact the Social Security Administration directly. Employers and institutions can use the Social Security Administration’s Social Security Number Verification Service to ensure that a person’s name, date of birth, and SSN match official records.
You can verify up to ten entries instantly or submit larger batches for next-day results via the SSA’s online portal.
Financial institutions and government agencies can use the Consent Based SSN Verification Service, which charges a nominal fee and requires the SSN holder’s consent. These services help to ensure that numbers are valid and correctly assigned.
As an individual, another useful verification step is to review your Social Security Statement, also known as your earnings record. This report includes a list of all jobs associated with your Social Security number. If you notice unfamiliar employers or gaps, these could be red flags.
What to do if your SSN doesn’t check out
If an SSN comes back as invalid, check your documents for simple typos; incorrect entries are surprisingly common. Name changes, such as adopting a spouse’s surname or adopting a hyphenated name, may also result in a mismatch with SSA records. Even minor differences can result in failed verification.
If you confirm that all of your entries are correct but the number still appears as invalid, contact the SSA for clarification. To request a correction or investigate errors, please visit your local SSA field office or call the toll-free helpline.
Keeping your SSN safe from misuse
Once you’re confident that your SSN is valid and secure, take precautions to protect it. Your physical Social Security card should be kept in a secure location and never carried in your wallet. Avoid storing the number in unencrypted documents or online accounts.
When sharing your Social Security number, especially with financial institutions or employers, inquire about data protection. Why is it needed? How will it be stored? Who will have access? If unsure, ask for alternatives or limited sharing options.
Regularly monitoring your credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com can also alert you to any suspicious activity. If you are concerned about identity theft, consider setting up fraud alerts or freezing your credit.
When changing your SSN becomes necessary
While uncommon, ongoing identity theft, stalking, or domestic abuse may necessitate the use of a new Social Security number. The SSA carefully reviews such requests, requiring documentation such as police reports or court orders, but will issue replacement numbers if necessary.
Verifying your Social Security number may appear inconvenient, but it provides invaluable assurance. In today’s digital age, ensuring that it is both authentic and properly linked to your records is a wise decision.
