The Black Market of SSNs: A Digital Crime Explained

Social Security Numbers (SSNs) are one of the most valuable pieces of personal data in the black market. These 9-digit identifiers, issued by the U.S. government, are often targeted by cybercriminals for identity theft, credit fraud, and tax scams. On underground forums, SSNs are often sold along with fullz (full identity profiles), including names, birthdates, and addresses. Despite their simple numeric format, SSNs are cross-verified through federal systems and must match other identity details to be considered valid. Understanding how SSNs are used and misused is crucial in combating digital identity fraud.