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The Infamous Fifth Digit

Date Added: May 22, 2003
Last Updated: May 22, 2003

Finding sinister motives behind the most benign of institutions is a favorite pastime on the Internet. Now we're asked to believe that our Social Security Number not only tells the government who we are, but also reveals what we are.

"This is interesting. IS THE 5TH NUMBER IN YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ODD OR EVEN?

Have you heard anything about Social Security numbers, African Americans and the 5th digit of your SSN? Supposedly, if you are an African American or a minority, the 5th digit in your SSN is even and odd if you are white! It has been said if you take a poll, most African American will have an even 5th digit. Rumor has it, some companies are looking at prospective employees' SSN to discriminate. Why not send this email to every African American and Minority that you know! I'm sending this to everyone I know. Mine was even, what's yours?

This rumor has been around for several years, though there is nothing to it. The only thing your Social Security Number reveals to those in the know is when and where it was issued. Here's what the digits in your SSN do say:

The first three digits are known as the area number. Each state has a range of three-digit numbers assigned to it.
The next pair of digits (4 and 5) signify when the number was issued, though they do not refer to a specific date, but rather the sequence in which the numbers were issued.
The final group of four digits are known as the series numbers and are your unique identifier. They are assigned in sequence.

With all the talk about privacy and identity theft these days, many people are extremely protective of their Social Security Number and skeptical of those who use it to identify them. The thought that somebody with insider information could use it to discriminate against us is unsettling to say the least. But, rest assured, your SSN is not some sort of "Scarlet Letter." Break this chain.

References: Snopes.com