![]() See the synthetic identity infographic for quick takeaways …And how it works today If it showed unissued, bingo, they had a counterfeit SSN at their disposal to commit synthetic identity fraud. They simply used the SSA’s algorithm to generate their own, random, nine-digit numbers then ran those fake numbers through a social security number validator. If the SSA could randomize SSNs, then so could the identity thieves. Criminals could no longer steal SSNs based on information coded in the last four digits, but an unintended consequence created entirely new fraud schemes and tactics. In 2011, and in an effort to prevent fraud, protect personal identities and help law enforcement fight identity thieves, the Social Security Administration (SSA) randomized all newly issued social security numbers (SSNs). And if one knew the last four digits, it was easy to discover the first five numbers which, in turn, increased financial crimes such as application fraud, medical identify theft, and even child identify theft. Prior to 2011, one could determine the year and location a social security number was issued based on the last four digits. The identity thieves use the fake profiles to engage in fraudulent activity such as creating phony credit files or opening sham credit card and bank accounts. Synthetic identity fraud occurs when criminals combine real and false information into new, bogus identities in order to commit financial crimes. ![]()
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