The Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9-digit personal identification number issued by the US Social Security Administration to US citizens and permanent residents. It is necessary for various purposes such as applying for a job, receiving government assistance, filing taxes, and obtaining a mortgage or credit. The SSN has become a target for identity theft and must be kept private. Newborn citizens or new permanent residents can obtain an SSN by contacting their local Social Security office.
SSN is the widely accepted acronym that stands for Social Security Number. It is a 9-digit personal identification number issued to US citizens and permanent residents by the US Social Security Administration. The SSN is one of the most important numbers an individual can have. People must have this number to apply for a job, receive government assistance, file taxes, and obtain a mortgage or credit. For all these reasons, it is also one of the most private pieces of personal information used by an individual, and it should be kept private.
Although social security numbers were not issued until 1936, they were originally created as part of the New Deal Social Security Program and used for tax purposes only. This meant that most children were not required to have one before the age of 14. However, in 1986, a new law was established that required children over the age of 5 to have an SSN before their parents could claim them as dependents. Today, children need one before their first birthday.
The Social Security Administration is an office of the United States Federal Government and the only source for obtaining a legally issued Social Security number. In recent years, the SSN has become intertwined with more than just taxes, because it is used by banks, universities, and other primary business entities as proof of identification. This is how the number has become the main target for identity theft. With an individual’s SSN in their possession, thieves can easily apply for credit and fraudulently obtain another identity and financial means.
In order for newborn citizens or new permanent residents to obtain an SSN, they must contact their local Social Security office. If a person believes that their number has been compromised, it is important that they contact management to obtain information on the steps necessary to protect their credit and identity. They can offer assistance and tell the person what can be done to avoid potential personal and financial devastation.
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