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