Identity crisis: how Social Security numbers became our insecure national ID

25 Oct 2014 • theverge.com

Real Social Security cards had just begun circulating the year before, so many Americans were confused. Even though the display card was marked “specimen” and sold at Woolworth’s, more than 40,000 people adopted Hilda’s number as their own. According to the Social Security Administration, no fewer than 12 people were still using their Woolworth’s-issued SSN in 1977.

Really? That’s so ridiculous that its actually just plain sad.