If you’re a job seeker, you’ve probably encountered this question at some point in your search: “What is your SSN?” If you haven’t seen it yet, don’t worry—you will.

And if you have no idea what it means, don’t panic! It’s not as bad as it sounds. The acronym stands for “social security number,” and recruiters are asking for it because they want to verify your identity before offering you a position.

Why do recruiters ask for the last four digits of the SSN?

A recruiter is someone who works with a company to find, recruit, and hire new employees. Recruiters use job postings, networking, and other methods to find candidates for open positions. Once they find someone who seems like a good fit for the job, they will contact that person directly.

If you are a candidate for a job, a recruiter will likely contact you. They will ask questions about your background and why you are interested in the position. They may also ask for your Social Security Number (SSN), the last four digits of your SSN, and your driver’s license number.

Here is why they ask for these pieces of information:

• They need your SSN to run a background check on you. This helps them know whether you have any criminal records or outstanding debts that could affect your employment.
• They need your SSN to do a credit check on you. This helps them know whether you have any outstanding debts that could affect your employment.
• They need the last four digits of the driver’s license number because they want to confirm that it matches the one in their database. They may also ask for a copy of your driver’s license or other photo ID as proof that the information they have on file is correct.

Is it okay to give out the last four digits of the SSN?

Yes, it is okay to give out the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN), especially if you’re looking for a job.

However, if a website or service asks for your full SSN, do not enter it. Instead, look for another option that only requires the last four digits. The full SSN is used for identity verification and authentication purposes, so it’s not okay to give out the full SSN if you don’t have to.

The last four digits of a social security number are used for authentication purposes only. They are not used as identification, which is why it’s okay to give them out. The first five digits of an SSN are used for identification purposes, and they never change.

Why do they need the last four digits of the SSN?

The last 4 digits of your SSN are used for verification purposes. If you’re applying to a specific company, there might be a reason why they need it.

For example, the insurance company verifies that you are who you say you are and protects against identity theft. It also allows them to access your records at the Social Security Administration if necessary.

In some cases, the insurance company might ask you to provide your full SSN. This usually happens if they need to confirm that a dependent child is eligible for coverage. In these situations, they may also ask for proof of custody or guardianship.

If you don’t want to provide your full SSN, you can use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number as an alternative. Some companies might also ask you to provide other identifying information, such as your birth date or driver’s license number.

Does every recruiter want my SSN?

No, not every recruiter will ask for your SSN. Some recruiters will ask for it and others won’t, but the ones that do may have valid reasons.

If a recruiter wants to see your social security number on their terms, it could be because they want to verify that you’re who you say you are, or because they believe that if they don’t know what state or county to send an applicant’s resume/CV/etc., then there might also be other factors at play (such as age).

If this is the case—and it seems likely since most people living in America have had some sort of contact with government entities over their lifetimes—then there’s no need to become alarmed by this request; simply politely inform them that while we appreciate the gesture (and even more so when someone does something nice), we aren’t comfortable sharing such private information without proper justification for doing so first.

What should I do if a recruiter asks for my SSN?

If a recruiter asks for your social security number, it’s important to ask them why they want it and if they are allowed to ask for it. If the answer sounds fishy or if other recruiters have asked for this information in the past, then contact human resources at work and ask them what their policy is on SSNs being shared with recruiters if you’re in doubt.

If you don’t want to provide it, recruiters can’t force you to give it to them, especially if it’s over a phone conversation. You can politely tell them that you’re not comfortable giving it out.

If the recruiter still insists on asking for your SSN anyway (or if he or she has already started using it), then call him or her up directly so that you can verify whether or not they’re authorized by their employer given those guidelines outlined above.

Conclusion

While it is common for HR recruiters to ask for SSNs in an employment application, this does not mean that it is “normal.”

If your company requires you to give them your SSN in order to get a job, then it would be prudent on your part to demand it in writing as well as verify with other people applying that they have also been requested to do the same. Your SSN is a great deal of private information and should be treated as such.

Your resume should not be required to include it, and you should never give out your SSN unless you are certain that the company is legitimate.

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