Do you know that up until July 2011 an ambitious hacker with a good software program could deduce your social security number based on your date and place of birth? In this classic episode, the boys examine some of the lesser-known details of the Social Security system in the U.S.
# Summary
In this episode, Josh and Chuck dive deep into the fascinating history and mechanics of Social Security numbers, exploring how the system works, who gets one, and why they're now basically unavoidable in American life. They trace the journey from the creation of Social Security in 1935 through the quirky bureaucratic process of assigning numbers, discover some wild stories like the infamous wallet company that printed fake SSNs, and discuss the very real identity theft concerns that come with a nine-digit number being used as a de facto national ID. Along the way, they explain the numbering system's logic, debate whether Social Security itself is sustainable, and offer practical advice on protecting your information and monitoring your account.
No movies have been linked to this episode.
💬 Comments
Log in to leave a comment.