It seems like anything I go to do nowadays, medical, banking, real estate, etc., they're always asking me for my social security number. There are just some things you have to get done and until you give them your social security number, it ain't going to happen.

I had a packet mailed to me from an insurance company I'm working with on a matter and there are 6 forms that need to be filled out, 5 of which are asking for my SSN. I called them this morning to complain and got a "I'm sorry sir but your SSN is required on each form. If you're uncomfortable sending it back through the mail, you have the option to do it online electronically." I have to get this done but it has me frustrated, nervous and pissed.

As many times that I've had to give out my SSN recently, I'm sure it's going to find it's way into the hands of the wrong person one of these days.

I'm sure most in my generation and older are reluctant to give out their SSN but I think a lot of the younger folks don't think twice about it. How protective are you of your social security number?

As long as you initiated contact with the company then I don't see the problem.

Others asking for it on non financial transactions or sending out requested for you to validate it, are things to be wary of, but in short, yeah I'm not giving it out to anyone unless I've got an existing financial reason or creating a new one.

Yeah, and right on the SS card, it says Not to be used as identification.

Yeah, right.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:
Yeah, and right on the SS card, it says Not to be used as identification.

Yeah, right.

That rule went out at least 30 years ago. I try very hard to use other ID, but there are some situations it cannot be done. At least the military fairly quickly got away from using the SSAN as the basis of individual's Service Numbers--they tried that back in the 1970s and it was a big mistake, because Service Numbers were in the public domain.

flashguy

When I attended Iowa State University, exam scores were posted outside the classroom by SSN's. No one cared at that time.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:
Yeah, and right on the SS card, it says Not to be used as identification.

Yeah, right.

That rule went out at least 30 years ago. I try very hard to use other ID, but there are some situations it cannot be done. At least the military fairly quickly got away from using the SSAN as the basis of individual's Service Numbers--they tried that back in the 1970s and it was a big mistake, because Service Numbers were in the public domain.

flashguy

It went out 30 years ago, but my card's older than that.

I am very protective of mine but it seems the rest of the free world is not

I have been applying and interviewing with staffing agencies as well as businesses.

It seems that HR thinks nothing of sending a text requesting that you text them a picture of your SS card and/or drivers license.

Heck... I cannot count how many reps. I have informed that there is no need to have my banking info because you have not offered me a job. HEck I haven't even interviewed.

That goes the same with my SS number.

I cannot recall how many reports, and cases I had to investigate due to fraud, uttering and theft because of stolen SS and drivers license info.

quote:

Originally posted by P229 357SIG Man:
How protective are you of your social security number?

*snort* My data has been mined at least three times (of which I'm aware & can recall). It's out there.

So short answer is: I'm not. Not anymore.

The Chinese communist party hoovered up all our fucking information out of the office of personal management OPM about a decade ago. 40MM classifications.

What did we get for losing the holy of holy‘s information re: ourselves?
Three years of credit score checking.


Phffftt.

Not as protective as I am of my kids’. The schools, Drs, dentist, etc. all ask and so far I’ve successfully said no. The schools make me show them the kids’ Social Security Cards, which is just ridiculous. I’ve tried telling the schools my kids are illegal immigrants and don’t have SSNs, but nobody believes me. Maybe I need to learn a foreign language. Ich kann spreche ein wenig Deutsch.

It does not matter if you are protective of your SSN or not. In addition to the VA, three hospitals and several doctor's offices, my number is out there. I have free Identity Theft protection because of it. At one point Tricare had the hard drives stolen out of several computers. Thousands of servicemen and their families had their informamtion compromised. On top of that, Tricare waited to inform the government of the break in.

Not too concerned.

My credit is frozen, so not overly concerned with someone taking it and opening any accounts in my name.

--K

As much as I can which is not all that great.
I never put on a 4473 form.

Of course my doctor and dentist need it to send the bill to collections if my insurance doesn’t pay. To provide me service they need nothing past my ID, if that.

Many of the members have great points:

I guess I should say I try to minimize how much i use my SS card.

I forgot that OPM, Tricare, the US Army, DOD etc.. all had their crap hacked... SO... Mine is probably out floating in the breeze.

Banks need it because Patriot Act requires it.

Other than if it is specifically required by law, I do not provide mine to anybody.

Of course, there are some numbers that should probably not be used, if an organization that has no legal requirement for a SSN insists on having one. For example,

078-05-1120 The "Woolworth" number

567-68-0515 Richard Milhous Nixon

562-10-0296 Walt Disney

409-52-2002 Elvis Presley

042-68-4425 Barack Hussein Obama

---

הרחפת שלי מלאה בצלופחים

I'm neither criminally bent or financially astute enough to understand how one would even begin to use this information. It sounds like a lot of work and planning the steps not to mention the risks of prison sex. I'd rather work 55 hours a week and have no worries and because I do work so hard.....I'm obsessive about protecting my SSN!

It wasn’t too awful many years ago that people had their SSN printed on their personal checks.

Places like banks need it but the rest can pound sand. I don’t fill that in and few say anything.
I have a credit freeze too and don’t need any more credit than I already have. If I do get a new card I just unfreeze it for a day or two.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGnified:
The Chinese communist party hoovered up all our fucking information out of the office of personal management OPM about a decade ago. 40MM classifications.

What did we get for losing the holy of holy‘s information re: ourselves?
Three years of credit score checking.

I got free credit monitoring for life from MyIDCare. (I was part of the Chinese OPM hack.) Not sure why you would have only gotten it for three years.