This is something that I have being wondering for a while, it was one of the first things I learn, and also one of the first things I notice EVERYBODY ask you, everywhere.
I don't get it.
I was at my daughter school, and they have a door with a lock, she ask me for the last 4 digits of my SS, I don't know them, she gave me the look, I know that look and I know what she was thinking.
Things is:
A) I don't remember all my important info, I keep them in my computer (driver's license, telephones...I can't even remember what I have, but my wonderful husband did it for me because I kept calling him asking him, and since he travels so much I have to remember not just mine but his and my kids!)
B) Why do I have to?
Granted, it was just the 4 last digits, and I will have to give them that info when I enroll my daughter, but it let me thinking about it all day.
I have give that number to so many places, some I don't even get why.
Like what does my SS have to do with Pre-K? Every single doctor, dentist, banks, etc.
Every time I move or get a new account there it goes, and is not like they have one person specially for this, I have see my fill documents (with my SS and day of birth and name and all info that somebody could use to still my id) going from hands to front desk, to nurse, to other nurse, etc.
Do I am missing something?
Perhaps I am just upset to the way she looked at me, but isn't illegal to ask for it? So why they all do? and if you don't give it then they may not (probably not) take you?
No it is not against the law to ask.
They cannot make you give it but then they also don't have to provide whatever service you are requesting when they ask for it.
I can rattle off the last four but it used to be my login for work. Most people are shocked I can produce the last four as quickly as I can. :)
What's your SSN? See no cops at my door. :)
I don't give my SS for ANYONE. (Except, the IRS.) I worked with doctors and insurance, we did NOT need to SS, at all. Not to check a policy, not to send in a bill, not to collect a bill. We put in all zeros, when someone declined to give us a SS#.
Not illegal to ask. However, you don't have to give it to anyone.
No, it is not illegal.
A doctors office USUALLY needs it to verify coverage as MOST providers link the coverage to the SSN.
I have my dad's SSN, ex-husband's, husband's and my SSN memorized. Military - just something you keep in your head.
If you don't want to give it out - don't. Tell them you will supply it if they give you a reason for needing it and you can ask how they are protecting it...keep in mind they have the right to decline service without all the necessary information.
I hate when people ask my for my SS# - just went to the dermatologist recently and stared at that space on the form for a long time before I decided to leave it blank. The receptionist never said anything. I must say though, I do find it strange that you don't know your SS# by heart! Seriously? I don't have it written down ANYWHERE. Safest place for that number to be is in my brain!! You might want to think about just memorizing it :)
I don't give my SS# to ANYONE, except the bank, so I got a federal tax ID # to give them, rather than a SS#. Even getting my utilities at home or at my office, I told them I was not giving it out. They threatened me. I laughed. They told me I HAD to. I told them that they give utilities to people here in the US that are here illegally and have no SS#, so CLEARLY there MUST be something else they will take. Finally an honest answer. $200 deposit. Fine.
I use a fake birthdate and I don't use my insurance, so going for medical stuff, I never give it out. Pearl Vision told me I HAD to give my SS#, as the computer MAKES them fill in the spaces, so I told her, ok. 000-00-0000. It worked.
It's not illegal, but it's certainly not smart to give it out. People think I'm paranoid. I'm not...but with all of the info out there on us, it's so easy to become someone else with a few bits of info. I didn't even get any SS#s for my kids....since someone can be using it for 16 years before we even figure it out....so we decided not to.
Anyone can ask but it is up to us to be vigilant and stay mum. Unfortunately, that's the world we live in. Our identity is sacred!
What irks me is having to provide it on an electronic job application. It's like, let me get the first interview before I send anything online before an interview!
I am totally astounded that you don't have this memorized. I know my SSN, my husband's, my oldest son's father, and my license number. It has fewer digits than your phone number. You don't have to give it out freely to anyone who asks, but you absolutely should know it.
Legally the only place that has a right to require you to give your social security number is the social security administration. Even the IRS will give you an ITIN if you do not have a Ssn for some reason.
It is not illegal to ask for you SSN but other places may not require that you give it. Realistically you will need to give it in some places to get service, in others you can request that they use a different identifier. And yes, I have personally gotten things like a bank account and a drivers license without a SSN.
I know what you mean. I know that when we go to a new doc they want everything in the world to trace us if we don't pay the bill or something but that number is supposed to be private. They do this so that if you end up owing them a bill they can file a court case on you and garnish wages. Every employer has to have it to pay taxes so the courts can easily find you if you are employed.
I liked it when they changed our drivers license numbers to random numbers across the board. Still don't know my DL # though.
I would have given her the look right back and told her that I don't believe in giving my SS# for things that aren't important. Then I would have asked my coding number to be changed.
Some states are making it illegal for doctor's offices to ask for/use your SS#. But not all. The reason they are trying to curb this is because of identity theft.
I NEVER give out my kids' socials except to the school. (I don't have the problem you have.) If someone asks, I tell them I don't know and that they'll have to do without.
Dawn
Your social security # is your unique identifier, no one else has it.
If you are an honest, law abiding citizen, then I don't really get the total paranoia surrounding giving the number out in a controlled/secure place. If someone really wants to steal your identity, or find you, they will find a way, regardless.
