Do you give your phone # to stores???

Junkman · Aug 21, 2004

Many years ago, MA wanted your social security number for use on your drivers license. That was what they used up till a few years ago when the state changed the rule for obvious reasons. Now you have a choice... another state assigned number or your social security number. Either way, you have to supply your social security number to get a drivers license in MA. I had given them a fictitious number back in 1973 and it had never been challenged till the last time it was coming up for renewal. I got a letter from the registry telling me that my number had been checked against the National registry of numbers/names and that it didn't match. I would not be issued a renewal drivers license until I brought in a valid social security card and that the number would then be verified first. This would take up to a month. All this must be a result of the Homeland Security Act. Everyone nows asks for your social security number.. telephone company, utility companies, etc. There are very few that have a right to it, but you have to fight to keep them from pushing for it. One National Brand of dog food company asked for it a few months ago to put with our corporate account. I told them to take their food back and send a final bill. They changed their mind. It turned out to be all part of a scheme to get a responsible party to guaranty payment for the corporate account if the corporation were to go down.
I remember when I had a relative list me with American Express as "his closest relative". When he went bankrupt, they kept pressuring me to pay his debt. I told them to go to Helen Wait..... she writes my checks for things like this... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I do know that in MA, they ask all occupants for their Social Security numbers if they have a reason to believe that they might have any outstanding warrants looking for them. I have never heard what happens if you don't provide them.

DannyD · Aug 21, 2004

I told them to go to Helen Wait..... she writes my checks for things like this... >>>>>>>

How can I get an account with her, that would be cool.

Junkman, as usual you made a great day even better with a laugh.

DaveNay · Aug 21, 2004

I always thought (despite evidence to the contrary) that per federal law, the only agency/corporation/guberment/person allowed to ask for your social security number was the social security administration and IRS?

Dave

beagdog · Aug 21, 2004

Interesting that this topic would head in this direction. I'm rather knowledgeable on the use of SSN's by state agencies, and for DL numbers. It would probably surprise a lot of you to know the real reasons states capture SSN's with driver's license applications. It really has nothing to do with the record keeping of the licensing section, we can track driver's with any number we assign. It's mandated by federal law for child support enforcement purposes. Kansas was one of the last 5 states to hold out on mandatory capture of SSN's but when threatened with the loss of significant highway funds in 2003, we mandated they be supplied starting last July. We've made their use as a DL number optional since 1991, but this year the legislature mandated that they no longer appear anywhere on a driver's license or state issued ID card. We collect them, but they are not visible to anyone not authorized by law to see them.

Dave-here's a link to the SSA website stating that use of an SSN for DL purposes is authorized by federal law.

http://www.ssa.gov/history/reports/ssnreportc6.html

Sorry this response is so lengthy, but it will help some to understand that states aren't always responsible for what we have to do.

Hope this serves the purpose I intended.

neilly2 · Aug 21, 2004

MSN Money just had an article on this. Essentially, any transaction that has tax consequences will require you SS #.

So your bank, potential employers, mortgage lender,etc. will require your SS#. You don't HAVE to give it to them, but than you won't be able to complete the transaction.

neilly2 · Aug 21, 2004

Also, any one can ASK for it. You just don't have to give it to them.

rozett · Aug 21, 2004

I have recently been going through hell trying to get homeowners insurance. Several agents have asked for my SS number and I explain that I do not give it out. Their response has been that the carriers require the SS in order to develop a quote. No SS number, no quote. My response has been "your choice" and then I leave. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I might be able to be convinced why they need it in order to write the policy, but they would never convince me that they need it for the quote. Unfortunately, almost all insurance carriers use it as a personal ID number. Before they give you a quote, they want to check their giant database to see if you are a regular claimant. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

BigDave · Aug 21, 2004

So what's wrong with giving out your Social Security number? Almost everyone requires it, & I haven't seen any iff-effects to it's use.

Junkman · Aug 21, 2004

Another reason for insurance companies asking for your social security number is that they want to do a credit check on you before quoting. If you have bad credit, they feel that you are a bad risk. I recently had this discussion with my insurance agent. He told me that people with bad credit statistically have bad driving habits. With statistics you can make any conclusion you want to by "working" the numbers. Apparently the insurance companies have convinced the state regulators that this should be an acceptable practice. Pretty soon they will be asking the color of your hair. If you are a natural blonde, then you will be paying the highest rates. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

neilly2 · Aug 22, 2004

I'm not sure if you are joking or not? I hope you are.

I don't wish it on you, but have one incorrect issue on your credit report and you'll want to eat a cyanide capsule by the time you're done clearing it up. Most of the problems people have with false items on their report are SS# problems.