Do you carry your social security card in your wallet?

[Mskanga]

I don't, I know my number by heart but I don't know any of my kids. Usually I don't need those, but when I take them to the doctor's , they always ask for them. I refuse to give it to them because they do not need them for anything, the insurance is on my husband's name ( which they have his social ) and the kids are classified as patient numbers. The receptionist asked me the other day ( for the one thousand time ) about their numbers and telling me they needed them , when I said I did not know them , she asked me if I didn't carry their cards with me. No I don't, I don't even carry mine!
What almost made me laugh was that she said they can refuse treatment to them because I am not giving them the kid's ss numbers....they have been saying that for four years now.

 

[CEDmom]

No, I don't carry mine because I know the number. I don't know DD's or DH's though so I do have them written down here at home but I don't carry it with me. I don't remember whether DD's Dr. ever asked for her #. We all go to the same family practice so they just added her to our chart. I don't even remember filling out paperwork for her. If your Dr is able to file claims with the insurance company w/o your kids # then I don't see why they'd need them.

 

[Kallison]

No and I don't give out my kids numbers either. It's bad enough mine is all over town. You would think with all the identify theft insurance companies would get on the ball and do away with that practice. I don't know DH's either, I usually tell them I can call them if they really need it.

 

[DoeWDW]

I have the social security numbers memorized for me, DH, DS & DD.

I've never heard of them denying treatment because of a lack of SS#. I thought that the only time you HAVE to give your SS# is for tax and employment purposes.

 

[oogieboogie]

I don't carry it around. There's no need for it. Here in Ohio you can have your SSN on your driver's license, so that's all I need.

As far as medical goes, I put in on once and that's it. Once it's on file with the doctor, there's no need to bring it again and again.

 

[nemo1987]

nope i dont carry mine. i have had money stolen from me at work and at school so i wont carry anything more important than that. besides i know my number and i dont want to risk someone getting their grubby little hands on my identity. a friend of mine had hers in her wallet at school and someone took it but then they returned it to the office along with her empty wallet. ridiculous i think because then they had the name of the person who took it in the first place! the things people will do. oh and the thing about giving kids' numbers to doctors offices, that is suspicious.... i wouldnt give it to them!
**Sarah**

 

[Mskanga]

That is the exact reason why I will not give them the SS#'s , they do not need them to get paid, the insurance is under dh's name and they have our numbers, they have gotten paid all along without them. I give it to those who really need it, like school, insurance, etc etc but nobody else.

 

[mickeyboat]

I know mine and DH's but I don't know the kids' numbers. My Dr's office asks for them too. They went so far as to send me a letter after I couldn't tell them at the doctor visit.

Does anyone know why they think they need the numbers, especially when they are covered under personal insurance. I can understand why they may need them for medicaid purposes, but not when they already have private coverage.

One of the first things I made DH do when we got back together was to memorize my SS#. I was in college at the time and everything went by your SS#. I still quiz him every once in a while and he still remembers.

Denae

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

It's a very bad idea to carry them around. What if your wallet/purse got stolen or lost? With that said, I never carry mine around (I don't even know where it is...probably in a filing cabinet in my house somewhere), but I used to carry dd's around. I stopped doing that. I don't have her number memorized, but I usually only need it for filing taxes. She had to have blood drawn recently and the form I filled out asked for it. I told the lady behind the desk that I didn't know her number and she said that's okay. So I know they don't need it.

 

[Pin Wizard]

It's a way for them to keep their records straight. At least, that's the reason I've been reading about when applying for federal jobs! At DS's pediatrician's office, there is another patient with the same name. I made them add DS's middle initial to his chart, but any time we've gone in, they always ask for DS's birthdate so they pull the correct chart. And I've run into records getting messed up at both my dermatologist and OB's offices because of someone with my same name. My OB's office even called and left a message telling me my pap was fine and then sent a bill! It wasn't me!!!

Oh! I used to carry our cards but haven't since December. I was Christmas shopping, and a lady saw my card in my wallet. She proceeded to tell me about a friend of hers who carried hers, had her wallet stolen, and has had a problem with identity theft, etc.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

I carry mine and DD's. I probably shouldn't. I know mine and DH's, but not the kids.

One thing I don't like and think is strange is that when DD goes on a field trip for school and we have to fill out her permission form, we have to put her SS# on there. I don't like it, but I go on and do it. I think next year, I will investigate that further. I don't really see anything bad happening from it, but you never know.

 

[Dodie]

Here in Ohio you can have your SSN on your driver's license, so that's all I need.

It is also a very bad idea to have your SSN on your driver's license, even if your state allows it. Anyone verifying a check for you at any store can note your SSN and then use it/share it/sell it, etc.

Never provide your SSN willingly or carelessly to anyone. It's one of the primary keys to identity theft!!!!

 

[Mskanga]

My doctor's office has told me that it's to make sure that they get the right person all the time.
I asked, how many XXXXXX born on XXXXXX living at XXXXX do you have ? When they said one I said exactly, so as long as you ask for the name, DOB and address, you will always get the right person.
Welovedisney, I have never had to write down the kids ss # for anything in school except for registration, I would not write them down on class trip permission slips, they do not need that.
I would write down my phone number and call me if you need it and tell me why.

 

[meandtheguys2]

If someone demanded to know my child's and I didn't think it was nec., I would lie! Make up a number. How bad is that!

 

[camlace]

Right on the back of my SS card it says:

"Protect Your Number and Card to Prevent Their Misuse
- Sign your card right away and keep it in a safe place.
- DO NOT carry it with you."

I never carry mine...(except for right now, because I just changed my name and still need to show proof of my name change until my new license comes in )

 

[WDWisTheBest]

As the back of the SS card says, do NOT carry the card with you.

 

[missypie]

I never carry my SS card with me. All the articles you read on identiy theft say to never carry your SSN with you. BUT, our insurance cards use our SSNs as our identifying number, and even lists it as "SSN" on the card. Every year when we get new cards at work I complain, but I haven't made an impression. I've blacked mine out.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I hate this. I have had dr's office tell me they couldn't see my kids without their number. I just make one up for the kids. Now I have to remember the number I made up.

 

[Morganpics]

I do not. I also refuse to give it to doctors, dentists, etc., until and unless they can explain to my satisfaction why they need it, why they can't use some other set of numbers, and if I give it, how are they going to secure it. DH rolls his eyes and fades away as soon as I'm asked-he knows what's coming! I just can't imagine trying to recover from identity theft. Some folks take years. I'd stare the desk clerk in the face and say why do you need it-how do I know it won't be misused. I also agree with DoeWDW.

 

[catsrule]

no