What happens when the US runs out of SSNs? - eviltoast

SSN numbers are good for 999,999,999 people alive or dead. At some point the US will hit that, right? Do we start reusing numbers? Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

  • Blackmist@feddit.ukEnglish
    1·
    2 months ago

    From the first link.

    Unlike many similar numbers, Social Security numbers have no check digit.

    From the second.

    The Luhn algorithm is used to check or validate identification numbers to ensure their accuracy. Today, the algorithm verifies that a credit card or Social Security number was input and processed accurately.

    • remotelove@lemmy.ca
      1·
      2 months ago

      Yeah, personally, I have questions about the luhn check myself. (I am not in a state to research more this evening, unfortunately.)

      • Blackmist@feddit.ukEnglish
        1·
        2 months ago

        I’ll save you the bother. It doesn’t have one. :)

        If it did, there wouldn’t be enough numbers for everyone to have a unique one.