[testing] Is there a Social Security Number reserved for testing/examples?

Is there a canonical "test SSN" that is used by convention, so is understood by all who see it that it is not a real SSN?

If your testing requires pulling quasi-real credit reports from the bureaus, the inactive SSNs of other answers won't work and you'll need designated test numbers.

I found this site Which appears to contain test social security numbers with associated test names and credit card numbers.

Transunion has a test environment you can link and send data to, including associated dummy credit reports. Sending a SSN to them with certain numbers in certain positions will automatically route the inquiry to their test environment Other credit bureaus will have similar systems in place.

all zeros would probably be the most obvious that it wasn't a real SSN.

There are multiple number groups and some particular numbers that will never be allocated:

• Numbers with all zeros in any digit group (000-xx-####, ###-00-####, ###-xx-0000).
• Numbers with an area group (first three digits) of 666 or any of 900-999.
• Numbers that have been misused in any way, such as the well known 078-05-1120.

Consider using one of these (the obviously invalid 000-00-0000 would be a good one IMO).

(Answer has been updated to provide source information beyond Wikipedia and remove information that is no longer accurate after the SSA made its randomization change in mid 2011.)

I used this 457-55-5462 as testing SSN and it worked for me. I used it at paypal sandbox account. Hope it helps somebody

Please look at this document

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/randomization.html

The SSA is instituting a new policy the where all previously unused sequences are will be available for use.

Goes into affect June 25, 2011.

Taken from the new FAQ:

What changes will result from randomization?

The SSA will eliminate the geographical significance of the first three digits of the SSN, currently referred to as the area number, by no longer allocating the area numbers for assignment to individuals in specific states. The significance of the highest group number (the fourth and fifth digits of the SSN) for validation purposes will be eliminated. Randomization will also introduce previously unassigned area numbers for assignment excluding area numbers 000, 666 and 900-999. Top

Will SSN randomization assign group number (the fourth and fifth digits of the SSN) 00 or serial number (the last four digits of the SSN) 0000?

SSN randomization will not assign group number 00 or serial number 0000. SSNs containing group number 00 or serial number 0000 will continue to be invalid.

Numbers from 987-65-4320 to 987-65-4329 are reserved for use in advertisements.