<p>What exactly would an employer know from knowing your name and social security number? I"m just curious.</p>
<p>I’m not sure I understand the question.</p>
<p>Employers are required to get your SSN, because they’re required by law to pay SS taxes on your behalf, withhold your share of SS taxes from your wages, and verify that you are legally permitted to work in this country.</p>
<p>Since the first three digits are vaguely regional, they’d know where you were born.</p>
<p>They can also check whether your SSN is actually assigned to someone with your name.</p>