What is a Social Security Number and how do you “steal it”?

Question

Why do shows like to use the “Give me your Social Security Number” bit? If they give you the number will you be rich? Can you even access the account by just that number?

In: 0

Answer 1

It’s the closest Americans have to a universal ID number, so it’s used when establishing bank accounts, getting loans, starting jobs, etc to verify that we’re the correct John Smith or Mary Jones when they need to verify identity.