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AIBU?

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Original poster

Just found out in 40s

238 replies

Cocopogo · 19/07/2021 20:23

My NI number starts with my initials. So I assumed everyone’s did. Just found out it’s a weird coincidence.
What random thing have you recently discovered too?!

OP posts:
AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 19/07/2021 20:49

@YouLikeTheBadOnesToo

My husband and my mam have the same PIN number for their debit cards. Complete coincidence, both issued by their respective banks.
Did neither bank tell them they had to keep them secret! Grin
Gemma2019 · 19/07/2021 20:49

Mine is just random letters, I'd quite like to have my initials instead.

Lulu1919 · 19/07/2021 20:49

Mine does !!!!

BelleClapper · 19/07/2021 20:50

My Nhs number and mobile number have the exact same last four digits in sequence.

LemonRedwood · 19/07/2021 20:51

My sister and I have the same NI number apart from she has A at the end and I have B. I also thought until very recently (also 40+) that it was because we are siblings and if there'd been a third sibling they'd have the same but with a C at the end and so on.

Nope, just complete coincidence!

BelleClapper · 19/07/2021 20:51

Oooh and I randomly got a credit card PIN assigned that was the same as our house alarm code a few years back.

StepladderToHeaven · 19/07/2021 20:51

Mine starts with my initials too. Is it really just a coincidence?

BlatantlyNameChanged · 19/07/2021 20:52

When the NI system was computerised, all the records were held on 4 sets of storage discs. They were labelled A, B, C, D. That's why NI numbers end in A, B, C or D.

Nice story but no. NI contributions used to be marked by stamps in a book, each employee had their own book and this is why NI contributions are still referred to as stamps (i.e., "claiming Child Benefit means you'll still get your stamp even if you're a SAHM"). Employers had to submit the books to the Inland Revenue on a quarterly basis and the letter at the end of a NINo indicated which quarter of the tax year that particular employee's record had to be sent (A was first quarter, B was the second quarter, etc).

LittleMissnotLittleMrs · 19/07/2021 20:52

Being driven to Clatterbridge, found out it’s Wirral, not The Wirral!

QueenAstrid · 19/07/2021 20:53

@JungleBeats I did not know this! I always thought they were a really poor design

BlatantlyNameChanged · 19/07/2021 20:53

Mine starts with my initials too. Is it really just a coincidence?

Yes

TheOrigRights · 19/07/2021 20:54

How come so many of you know your siblings' NI numbers? I don't know my own off by heart.

Tangledtresses · 19/07/2021 20:54

Mine doesn't either, but my sons NI no which he recently received is quite similar to mine

Although mine is **007 which I love

HappyDaysToCome · 19/07/2021 20:54

@OverTheWater

My DH's NINO also starts with his initials and he had the same surprise you did!

Growing up my postcode was comprised of my parents initials so I assumed that was how it worked.

I also thought that "the Wirral" was simply a phrase that meant "local" and everybody had a wirral that was basically a 5 mile circumference from their house.

Ditto! Our post code was my dad’s initials and I thought everyone’s was.

Also my NI number DOES start with my initials (and I also assumed that was on purpose, maybe it was for a time? Mid, or actually heading to late, 40s here)

TheAwfuITruth · 19/07/2021 20:55

@YouLikeTheBadOnesToo

My husband and my mam have the same PIN number for their debit cards. Complete coincidence, both issued by their respective banks.
My husband and I were both given the exact same PIN by Barclays, four years apart, on entirely separate (non joint) accounts.

And yes, I get that they're supposed to be secret Grin

Badabingbadabum · 19/07/2021 20:55

My dh's NI card began with my initials before we were married and mine his. Now we are married they are also my initials!

Spooky! Like the Department of Social Security knew we were meant to be! Grin

youdoyoutoday · 19/07/2021 20:56

My NI number begins with my dad's initials which I always thought was odd

HappyDaysToCome · 19/07/2021 20:57

Oh I just looked at my nanny’s payslip you check hers, as she is the same age as me. Her NI number also starts with my initials (not hers!) so maybe it’s the same for everyone that year and I just happens to be a common set of initials?

Middle initial A in 1974 anyone?

ColourHex · 19/07/2021 20:57

Mine does as well! Not only are the first two letters my first then middle name the last letter was my surname initial also

Only realised this was a coincidence when I saw Dhs

CommanderBurnham · 19/07/2021 20:57

It's the driving licence one that gets me. My DOB but not quite. Is it supposed to be that way, or coincidence?

Marmite27 · 19/07/2021 20:57

Mine doesn’t, and neither does my brothers!

Mine is XX-99-99-11-A
His is XX-99-99-12-B

He always phoned me to ask what his is.

BlatantlyNameChanged · 19/07/2021 20:58

My sister and I have the same NI number apart from she has A at the end and I have B. I also thought until very recently (also 40+) that it was because we are siblings and if there'd been a third sibling they'd have the same but with a C at the end and so on.

Are you sure? As that's not actually possible. An NI number is unique not including the letter at the end so if you have AB123456A, there will be no other AB123456 numbers issued as its the first two letters and number portion of the NINo that is unique. There is no AB123456A and AB123456B, its literally not possible as they are the same NI number (last letter is meaningless in terms of identity/uniqueness).

Marmite27 · 19/07/2021 20:58

@Faranth

My NI number is one digit and letter different to my DBs! So mine would be AA111111A his is AA111112B. When his came through I figured it was a normal thing, but apparently not, complete coincidence!
Mine and my brothers are the same! It can’t be that coincidental can it?
Marmite27 · 19/07/2021 20:59

@BlatantlyNameChanged

My sister and I have the same NI number apart from she has A at the end and I have B. I also thought until very recently (also 40+) that it was because we are siblings and if there'd been a third sibling they'd have the same but with a C at the end and so on.

Are you sure? As that's not actually possible. An NI number is unique not including the letter at the end so if you have AB123456A, there will be no other AB123456 numbers issued as its the first two letters and number portion of the NINo that is unique. There is no AB123456A and AB123456B, its literally not possible as they are the same NI number (last letter is meaningless in terms of identity/uniqueness).

Yes, there appears to be at least 3 sib-sets on here with this type of number.
Nameswaptime · 19/07/2021 21:00

Family members over have quite similar NI numbers.
They’ve used patterns of letters over the years so you can guess how old someone is by their NI number, or you can tell if someone has moved here from overseas.