Hot Button Topic: Social Security Numbers
October 27, 2009 by Karen Weideman
Filed under debt/credit
I have a big issue. It’s with people that think they need to ask for my social security number. It is such a hot button for me.
One reason this may be such a sensitive topic for me is because a member in our family was a victim of identity theft. Thankfully, it was caught very early before any damage was done. The person committing the crime? An office worker at a doctor’s office. Yes, you heard me correctly.
Come to think of it, this has been an issue for at least 14 years. I remember going into a drug store and writing a check. This was back in the day before debit cards. heehee The cashier wanted to know my SSN. When I refused, she said they couldn’t accept my check. I took my check, left my merchandise on the counter, and have never shopped there since. Then another time, I was shopped in a department store (that I like) and the cashier asked for my SSN. When I refused, she got rude and said, “Fine. I’ll probably lose my job over this.”. I had shopped there for years and no one else had ever asked my for my social.
Just today I took my foster son to the dentist and the office worker asked me for my social. I told her I don’t give it out. Then she made up some kind of excuse about the claim being denied because they don’t have my social. Ummm, hello! He’s still in foster care so he has Medicaid. She knew that. You don’t need the foster mom’s social to file a Medicaid claim. She even got the confirmation number while I was standing there.
I am just so sick of people trying to manipulate you to get your personal information. What is up with this? Why do people ask for your social when they don’t need it? I just don’t get it.
Do you have issues with people asking for your social security number?
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OMG! I didn’t know there were other people out there that felt the same way about SS#s. I don’t know why they require SS#s on applications for everything, and it really bothers me to give it out so freely – especially when everything from educational institutions to doctors offices use it as your identification number.
Perhaps we need to all write our congressmen to put a stop to these practices, especially with the proliferation of identity theft.
This bothers me too. I was recently at a Career Center and on the orientation application, it asked for your SS#. I have heard that it is illegal to ask for someone’s SS# without explaining (in writing) what you need it for. Having known this for such a long time, I never put my SS# down when it is obvious that there is no real need for them to know it. This time I got out of it by confidently and firmly standing my ground. Supposedly, the orientation person was going to “talk” with me about it, but she never did and I still got my membership card. However, everyone else at the orientation, about 9 people, gave their SS#s. Even if everyone who works there is honest (and I do believe they are, they are very wonderful people) who could ever tell if their system might get hacked. Not giving someone your SS# when they don’t need it, in a way it protects them as well as you, because then they don’t need to take on unnecessary responsibility for your private/confidential information.
that is crazy! i haven’t encountered anyone sweating me for the ss number. i probably look like i will cuss them out or something. the clerk telling you she will lose her job over it was CRAZY! she better stop playing.
I went to a Young Living Essential Oil party last week. I was ready to place an order– until she wanted my SSN to order “wholesale”
Pft. Yeah right. You want my CC#, phone, address, and my social? Why don’t I just give you my purse and we’ll call it a night?
I walked out. Forget it.