eli5 Why do scammers always ask for the last 4 digits of your ssn instead of the the whole number, what can they do with the last 4 digits?

Question

eli5 Why do scammers always ask for the last 4 digits of your ssn instead of the the whole number, what can they do with the last 4 digits?

In: Economics

Answer 1

The first digits of a US SSN can be derived. They’re based on where the SSN was issued, as well as when. Only the last 4 digits are allocated without any pattern.

The idea is that you can get more people to take the bait when you only ask for the last 4 digits, so the extra work to derive the first digits is worth it.