| Your social security number is very | | | | company asks you for your social security |
| important, it's like your password in life, | | | | number ask them if they would accept an |
| all of your information is tied into that | | | | alternative piece of identification, if for |
| number. Many people don't know this, but | | | | some reason they say no then it is best to |
| only a few organizations actually have the | | | | take your business elsewhere. Refusing to |
| right to know your social security number. | | | | give your social security number to whoever |
| Today almost everybody is requesting a social | | | | asks for it will protect you from allowing |
| security number for access to something, | | | | your number to end up in the wrong hands. |
| schools, video stores, phone companies, | | | | Even when you go to your doctor's office, you |
| health clubs, etc. The main reason for | | | | don't have to fill in your social security |
| companies asking for your number is to make | | | | number, your number is classified information |
| sure you pay your bills, to keep track of | | | | and only meant for those institutions that |
| address changes and to check your credit | | | | absolutely need it.Social security numbers |
| rating. Many of these companies sell your | | | | exist mainly to track your earnings and |
| social security number to marketing lists who | | | | benefits, they were never meant to be used by |
| then sell your number to companies. The fact | | | | businesses as identifiers. If you feel that |
| that all these people having access to your | | | | someone has used your social security number |
| social security number is dangerous because | | | | you should request copies of your credit |
| the chances of it falling into the hands of | | | | reports at least twice a year. The three |
| the wrong person is great. They can take | | | | largest credit reporting agencies are |
| your number, then use your name and your | | | | Equifax, Experian and TransUnion and it's |
| credit report to steal money from you.Any | | | | best to get one from all three so you can |
| business can ask for your social security, | | | | check for discrepancies.Remember that all a |
| but what most people don't know is that there | | | | criminal needs to get access to your credit |
| are only a few companies who can actually | | | | cards, bank account and any other critical |
| demand your number. The Department of Motor | | | | information is your social security number. |
| Vehicles (DMV), the welfare department and | | | | Only a few companies can demand your social |
| the tax department are a few of the entities | | | | security number, so if someone demands your |
| that can demand your social security number. | | | | social security number with no relevant |
| Social security numbers are also required to | | | | intent take your business elsewhere, your |
| do transactions that involve taxes, so | | | | identity is a lot more precious than their |
| employers and banks would need it. If a | | | | business is. |