| To protect against identity theft, it is best | | | | want your SSN. |
| not to carry your Social Security number in | | | | |
| your wallet or write your Social Security | | | | Sometimes they just want your Social Security |
| number on a check. Before disclosing your | | | | number for ordinary record keeping, so you |
| Social Security number (SSN) to anyone, first | | | | should ask these questions: |
| make sure that it is absolutely necessary | | | | |
| that they have it. You are allowed to ask | | | | 1. Why do you need my Social Security number. |
| pointed questions, don't be shy. Ask the | | | | |
| person if some other form of identification | | | | 2. Precisely how will my Social Security |
| will suffice. An identity thief is well on | | | | number be used? |
| his way in stealing your identity when he has | | | | |
| your Social Security number. | | | | 3. How will you protect my social Security |
| | | | number from being stolen or otherwise |
| Your state driver's license may use your SSN | | | | compromised? |
| as your driver's license number and if this | | | | |
| is so, ask to have it replaced with another | | | | 4. What will happen if I don't give you my |
| number. Your health insurance company may | | | | social Security number? |
| also use your SSN as your policy number, so | | | | |
| ask to have it changed. Your bank, credit | | | | Some company's will not be able to provide |
| union etc and the company that employs you | | | | you with a service or benefit that you desire |
| need your SSN for wage and tax reporting | | | | without having your Social Security number. |
| purposes. There will be times when a company | | | | If the company provides answers to these |
| will want to do a credit check on you when | | | | questions that are satisfactory to you, then |
| you apply for a credit card, loan, apartment, | | | | you may be able to make a decision to share |
| hydro, phone or other utility and they will | | | | your SSN. Ultimately, the decision is yours. |