Congress wants social security numbers off IDs

[buckthesystem]

http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2162805.php

Congress wants Social Security numbers off IDs

By Rick Maze

Staff writer

The days of having a Social Security number on a military identification card seem to be numbered; Congress has given the Pentagon just six months to design a plan to remove the number in the hope that it will reduce the risk of identity theft.

(continues)

Now what I'm wondering (I can't seem to find the answer on the web) is, do SS#s generally appear on drivers licences? Now I know that in 1935 - I think the date is pretty right - when the SS# first "came out" there was specific legislation preventing it from being used as an id number. Yet it has become just that. Doesn't this bug anyone?

[Marnie]

Now what I'm wondering (I can't seem to find the answer on the web) is, do SS#s generally appear on drivers licences? Now I know that in 1935 - I think the date is pretty right - when the SS# first "came out" there was specific legislation preventing it from being used as an id number. Yet it has become just that. Doesn't this bug anyone?

Yep, it bugs me for sure. In some states I think your SS number is your DL number. I think you choose to have a different DL number in other states. I could be wrong on that.

Reminds me of The Prisoner TV series--"I am not a number, I am a free man!" Be seeing you.

[KarenJo5]

In Mississippi your SS# is your DL# unless you request otherwise,then they will assign you another number.

[ted]

Actually, if I remember correctly (I'll have to look it up), your SSN cannot be used for anything other than matters pertaining to your SS account.

It has developed as an easy way to identify you because each one is different for each person. As well, many trust it to be unique because it is an official Government assigned number- for some reason, people put trust in that.

How it's developed into the many illegal uses it serves to day is a matter of convenience. We let it get to this point because it wasn't much of an issue until the past 20 years or so. The advent of the computer age has made us reconsider it's use, though, which I see as a good thing.

In fact, just this morning it was asked of me from my doctors office as a means to make sure it was me they were talking to on the phone. I told them that they would have to use something else, like my DOB, because I don't give my SSN out over the phone and that they can't use it for ID purposes in the first place. It was never meant to be a form of ID for private business. It's just easier for them to use it rather than them taking the time to create their own way of identification for their data base.

Your SSN is to be protected. If someone insists that you give it, ask them to use another way to establish your identity. It's not supposed to be used for ID purposes other than the Social Security Aministration and selected other Government agencies.

It's supposed to be illegal for private businesses to ask for it.

One way they get around this law is to ask you to sign the Freedom of Information Act form. Most of them have a blurb that basically says: "Your SSN will be kept confidential and will only be used for identification purposes only. Giving your SSN is voluntary, however, not providing this information may be cause for rejection of services or...........(fill in the blank)".

It's a sham. You don't have to give your number legally, but they will deny you that loan or service if you don't provide it. Pretty slick.

It comes down to nothing but pure laziness, both on their part and on ours. The problems with that in these days are that it's now too wide spread and accepted, and computers are making the info way too easy to abuse.

t.

[buckthesystem]

Actually, if I remember correctly (I'll have to look it up), your SSN cannot be used for anything other than matters pertaining to your SS account.

It has developed as an easy way to identify you because each one is different for each person. As well, many trust it to be unique because it is an official Government assigned number- for some reason, people put trust in that.

How it's developed into the many illegal uses it serves to day is a matter of convenience. We let it get to this point because it wasn't much of an issue until the past 20 years or so. The advent of the computer age has made us reconsider it's use, though, which I see as a good thing.

In fact, just this morning it was asked of me from my doctors office as a means to make sure it was me they were talking to on the phone. I told them that they would have to use something else, like my DOB, because I don't give my SSN out over the phone and that they can't use it for ID purposes in the first place. It was never meant to be a form of ID for private business. It's just easier for them to use it rather than them taking the time to create their own way of identification for their data base.

Your SSN is to be protected. If someone insists that you give it, ask them to use another way to establish your identity. It's not supposed to be used for ID purposes other than the Social Security Aministration and selected other Government agencies.

It's supposed to be illegal for private businesses to ask for it.

One way they get around this law is to ask you to sign the Freedom of Information Act form. Most of them have a blurb that basically says: "Your SSN will be kept confidential and will only be used for identification purposes only. Giving your SSN is voluntary, however, not providing this information may be cause for rejection of services or...........(fill in the blank)".

It's a sham. You don't have to give your number legally, but they will deny you that loan or service if you don't provide it. Pretty slick.

It comes down to nothing but pure laziness, both on their part and on ours. The problems with that in these days are that it's now too wide spread and accepted, and computers are making the info way too easy to abuse.

t.

That is interesting. It has become a matter of principle. If at all possible, it sounds like it would be a good idea to keep your SSN as confidential as possible.

I remember about five years ago or so a friend's husband had taken up with an American woman he met at work and shifted to America with her leaving my friend and the kids. My friend said (jokingly I hope) "I should find out what .....s social security number is, if you have access to someone's SSN that gives you access to just about everything about them". If this is true, then it is pretty dangerous.

I can compare it to our "digi-photo driving licence" scam. When this scam was first perpetrated, the minister swore "black was white" that it would NEVER be used as a means of ID and the ONLY people able to demand production of it were "a police officer in the course of his duties and an officer of the transport department under specific circumstances, and the police officer may only demand the DL from somebody who is driving at the time". Since then, however, "function creep" has set in and retailers, solicitors and just about every government department or private firm "tries it on" and asks for "your DL" for ID.

I have an absolute paranoia about this and if it ever comes up I argue the point (there is no way that I am ever going to show a bureaucrat or a shop worker my driving licence) quoting the legislation and if need be I write to the head office of the department, shop or what ever for "clarification of the rules".

They have backed down 100% of the time. You might try that with the SSN. It sounds like it is pretty important.

[JustinM]

TX has different number for driver's license numbers. But, ND still uses SSAN's. I hate having my SSAN on my military ID card. What really stinks, is that if I need any kind of service from the military I have to provide them with my SSAN.

[buckthesystem]

TX has different number for driver's license numbers. But, ND still uses SSAN's. I hate having my SSAN on my military ID card. What really stinks, is that if I need any kind of service from the military I have to provide them with my SSAN.

Well, not for much longer, it would seem.

[amdntstr]

In Ohio we used to have the option of putting our SS number on our DL's or not.

I opted to not have it on their because of the fact that it would make it eaier for anyone who stole or found my DL to use it in order to get credit cards etc.... using my name and SS number.

When I renewed my DL a week ago I found out that it is no longer an option to have your SS nuber on your DL. It is no longer allowed.