What State Social Security Numbers Start With 4?
Key Takeaway:
- A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique identification number assigned by the US government to its citizens, residents, and temporary workers for tax and other government-related purposes.
- Some of the states in the United States with Social Security Numbers that start with ‘4’ include California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii, among others.
- Historical reasons are the main causes of why some states have SSNs that start with ‘4.’ The Social Security Administration developed a method of assigning numbers to sparsely populated states based on a population’s density that fits their algorithm. States with smaller populations got numbers that began with 4 or higher.
Do you regularly use Social Security Numbers and are unsure of what state they indicate? This article will provide a breakdown of the Social Security numbers beginning with the number 4 and which state they are from. Get ready to learn the answer to the question, what state social security numbers start with 4?
Social Security Number Basics
What’s a Social Security Number? Get the basics! Look at the article called ‘What state social security numbers start with 4?’ The section ‘Social Security Number Basics’ covers all you need to know. It has a sub-section on what it is. There’s no need to explain further.
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States with Social Security Numbers that start with 4
Need to find which states have Social Security Numbers starting with 4? We’ve made it simpler. Here’s a list of those states. Get the answer you need quickly and without searching through different sources.
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Why do Some States have SSNs that start with 4?
Why some states have Social Security Numbers (SSNs) that start with 4? To comprehend this, it’s important to look back in time. The response to this question is found in history. Exploring it can give you a better understanding as to why some states have this exclusive trait.
Here, we will study historical reasons why some states’ SSNs begin with 4.
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What is a Social Security Number?
Social Security Numbers are unique nine-digit identification numbers assigned to individuals by the US government. They are used for tracking an individual’s earnings and their Social Security benefits. Each number is made up of a three-digit area number, two-digit group number, and four-digit serial number. These numbers are important for legal verification purposes and considered sensitive information.
Additionally, the first three digits of the issued social security numbers are based on where the individual was residing at the time of their application. Thus, some states have SSNs that start with 4 due to specific regional codes. For example, those living in Arizona and Alaska may have social security numbers starting with 4.
It is vital to safeguard personal Social Security Number information as it can be used in identity theft or fraudulent activities without proper authorization from the user. The United States government warns against sharing this information openly or allowing unlawful access to it over public networks or platforms.
Fact: According to statistics shared by Forbes magazine in 2017, approximately 1 billion identities have been compromised globally in data breaches since 2013.
The unlucky states with SSNs starting with 4 are: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah. Looks like even social security numbers can’t escape the curse of the number 4.
List of States with SSNs that start with 4
States with SSNs that begin with the number ‘4’ are a unique case in the United States. These states have distinct variations in their Social Security Numbers, which are issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for different reasons.
Here is some interesting information about these states that have SSNs starting with 4:
- California, Hawaii, and Nevada are three of the eight states that have social security numbers beginning with the digit “4”.
- It is significant to note that these numbers were not necessarily assigned only to individuals residing in those states but were generated there due to specific number assignments by the SSA.
- The reason behind assigning a specific area number to each state was to ensure that each state had an equal chance to receive its fair share of social security numbers.
Apart from these unique cases, every other state has its social security numbers starting from digits 1 to 6. These special cases show how careful allocations can make valuable planning decisions in tracking vital information more efficiently.
Pro Tip: Your social security number is sensitive information; be sure to guard it against identity theft.
Historical Reasons why some States have SSNs that start with 4
States with SSNs that begin with 4 have a historical reason for their numbering system.
The Social Security Administration started assigning SSNs in a geographic pattern in 1936, where the first three digits corresponded to the location of the applicant’s mailing address. States with high population densities, such as California, Texas and New York, received multiple assigned number ranges. Conversely, several sparsely populated states like Alaska, Montana and Wyoming received only one number range. Hence, these sparsely populated states have social security numbers that start with 4.
These states’ SSNs have remained unchanged since then unless there were additional allocations for future growth or changes in residence patterns. There is no particular significance attached to these digit assignments; they are merely part of an orderly geographical distribution system.
It’s fascinating to note that just because some states contain fewer people does not imply that they will receive genuine identifiers – SSN sequences longer than allotted state allocations may trigger duplicates for future applicants!
Unknowingly applying for another person’s SSN can have serious consequences such as compromised identity or inability to claim social security benefits.
It is imperative to double-check SSN applications for errors before submission to avoid potentially disastrous outcomes such as ID theft or delayed benefits distribution.
Five Facts About Social Security Numbers Starting with 4:
- ✅ Social security numbers starting with 4 are issued to residents of the western United States. (Source: Investopedia)
- ✅ The first three digits of a social security number correspond to the geographical region where it was issued. (Source: Social Security Administration)
- ✅ Social security numbers starting with 4 were first issued in 1936, along with numbers starting with 5. (Source: The Balance)
- ✅ It is estimated that over 50 million social security numbers starting with 4 have been issued since 1936. (Source: Quora)
- ✅ Social security numbers starting with 4 can be used to verify employment eligibility through the E-Verify system. (Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
FAQs about What State Social Security Numbers Start With 4?
What state social security numbers start with 4?
Social security numbers that begin with 4 are issued to individuals who were born in the state of Mississippi.
Can non-residents of Mississippi have social security numbers that begin with 4?
Yes, it is possible for someone who was not born in Mississippi to have a social security number that begins with 4 if they obtained their number while living in Mississippi or if they applied for a number through a Mississippi-based employer.
Are all social security numbers that begin with 4 issued in Mississippi?
No, while the majority of social security numbers that begin with 4 are issued to individuals born in Mississippi, it is possible for individuals born in other states to also receive a number that begins with 4. This is because social security numbers can be issued based on the mailing address provided on the application, not just the state of birth.
Why do social security numbers have different starting digits?
The first three digits of a social security number, known as the area number, are determined based on the location where the number was issued. The remaining digits are assigned sequentially and do not have any geographic significance.
Is it necessary to memorize the state that corresponds with each social security number prefix?
No, it is not necessary to memorize the correspondence between social security number prefixes and states. If you need to verify someone’s state of birth or residence, there are other methods of obtaining that information.
Can social security numbers be reused or reissued?
No, social security numbers are unique to each individual and are never reused or reissued, even if the original holder has passed away.