Social Security Number Identity Theft www.IDTheftSecurity.com

18 Feb 2007 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

2:02

In this short TV interview segment, host A raises concerns about the pervasive demand for Social Security numbers (SSNs) from various entities. Security specialist Robert Siciliano (Speaker B) explains that most private companies request SSNs without a legitimate reason, often using them merely as account identifiers. He clarifies that only the Social Security Administration, Medicaid, and a few other government agencies truly need an SSN, and they are required to provide a privacy disclosure notice when they do. Siciliano advises consumers to offer alternative identifiers such as a driver’s license, to question unnecessary requests, and to educate organizations that asking for an SSN may be illegal. The discussion emphasizes the risk of identity theft when SSNs are unnecessarily collected and provides practical steps for individuals to protect their personal information.

Chapters

You know, it seems like everyone these days wants to know your Social Security number. In fact, what's yours, Molly? I'm not giving it to you. You don't trust me? Come on, I would never leak it. You know, from the cable company to health clubs, everyone wants your Social Security number. But how can you keep crooks from stealing your identity?
Security specialist Robert Siciliano knows. He's in Boston, and thank you for joining us today. Good morning. So tell me, this is what my issue is, Everybody asks for your Social Security number online, the doctor's office. When do you know when you have to give it and when you don't?
Well, the funny thing is most of these private companies that ask for your SSN don't even know why they're asking for it. They just use that as an account number, and in reality they can use an alternative account number that has nothing to do with your Social Security number, but they've been using it for so long it's just become a customary that they use these 9 digits as your primary identifier.
All right, Robert, Judge Napolitano is a good friend of ours here on Fox Friends, obviously. He says that you should only give it to a government entity. What do you say about that?
Well, actually, it's only the Social Security Administration that needs it, and only Medicaid, and just a few other government entities. And when they ask for it, they're actually required to provide you with a privacy disclosure notice. And otherwise, any other organization, including other government agencies, do they don't actually need it. So what I always recommend people do is you offer them a driver's license, let's say, if it's not your Social Security number, as an alternative. And if they continue to fight you on it, then you may actually have to educate them on the fact that they just don't need those numbers. And so for the consumer, that may end up being an uphill battle, 'cause really you're faced with educating that organization that in fact it's almost illegal for them to ask for that.
Alright, this is good advice because it's so easy to get— if they have your Social Security number online, then they can steal your identity and many other things can happen. Thank you, Robert Siciliano, for joining us today.