How You Can Protect Your SSN
Everybody has a Social Security number to which every bit of information about a person is tied. A person can easily find out about someone by simply typing his or her social security number. Once he does this, he will see details like bank information, residence, contact details and many more. If the person doing the search has the intention of proving your reliability, then it’s fine. Employers actually do this. But if the person plans to steal your information, then you will surely face a lot of problems.
Below are tips so that you can avoid this situation:
Today, we just can’t trust anyone because everyone, most likely, wants your SSN. This can be someone who wants to know about your credit rating so that they will know whether you are capable of paying a loan or your bills. Some use your name and address changes to keep track of you.
Some companies use social security numbers of people and make them part of their marketing list. This will serve as their leads. A listing with these numbers is more important than a list without them.
But when many people see your social security number, the more you are at risk to crimes like identity theft.
Today, many Americans have been victimized by this crime. These costs are eventually passed on to consumers.
Any business can ask for your Social Security number but there are very few institutions that can actually demand it. Tax departments, welfare departments or motor vehicle departments are some of these agencies that demand your SSN. You are also required to disclose your SSN when you do transactions that involve taxes like banks, brokerages, employers and many more. Most other businesses have no right to demand your SSN. While there are no laws that prohibit them from asking your number, you have the right to say no. You can ask if they accept other identification cards. If they insist, then refrain from doing any business with them. Remember, it’s also possible that they would refuse to provide the product or service that you are seeking.
But majority of companies will still do business with you even if you choose not to disclose your SSN to them. These companies may ask for a Social Security number to open an account but the information is not required. It is just part of the record of the customer.
There are other businesses establishments that follow certain standards if consumers refuse to disclose their social security number. Some would administer a questionnaire so that they will have a way of finding about their credit history. No need for credit checks. They will only count on the person’s words.
There may be many other safeguarding tips but the most important thing is that you understand the primary reason why you have it in the first place. Always bear in mind that ignorance of the law is never an excuse. . .
