The Tao of Making Money has collected a bunch of interesting facts about Social Security Numbers, for example:

Did you know that 078-05-1120 is the most stolen social security number ever? Over 40,000 people have claimed that this number, belonging to a secretary of an wallet manufacturing executive, is their own. From the SSA:

In 1938, wallet manufacturer the E. H. Ferree company in Lockport, New York decided to promote its product by showing how a Social Security card would fit into its wallets. A sample card, used for display purposes, was inserted in each wallet. Company Vice President and Treasurer Douglas Patterson thought it would be a clever idea to use the actual SSN of his secretary, Mrs. Hilda Schrader Whitcher.

The wallet was sold in Woolworth’s and even though the card was half the size of a real one and printed all in red, 40,000 people “ID thefted” the number. Eventually, Ms. Whitcher was issued a new SSN.

…Or did you know that social security numbers are not issued in sequence? Or that the first set of numbers increases from northeast to southwest, depending on where you were born? Or that the first Social Security number was issued to someone who died before collecting benefits? Or that the first payment was $.17? Ah, trivia! —MEGHANN MARCO

Interesting Facts About Social Security Numbers [The Tao of Making Money]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.