Spin-off - Social Security Numbers on Paperwork

[Colleen27]

The thread about the fraudulent tax return got me thinking about all the random bits of paperwork that request or require a social security number, and how unsecured that information really is when you're expected to provide it to every doctor and dentist you've ever seen and every place you've ever applied for a job.

How many people opt out of sharing that information? Have you ever been forced to, or had to deal with consequences for not doing so? A friend who does hiring for a retailer says applications without an SS# go straight into the trash. Is that common practice, do you think, or an anomaly?

 

[AlohaNow]

More recently I’ve declined to provide my SSN on medical forms. It has never caused a problem. I always steadfastly refuse to provide my children’s SSN on any form. I ask, “Why do you need it? Are you withholding taxes from his pay?” Because otherwise, there is absolutely no reason for anyone to have my child’s SSN. That is just about the easiest target for identity theft because you would never, ever know that credit has been opened up in their name until years and years later.

We recently received a LifeLock offer for one of my children in the mail. It stopped me in my tracks, until I realized that my children hold multiple frequent flier accounts in their own names. Those lists are bought/sold/traded all the time. I think they just forgot to scrub the list for minors. But if I ever received a credit card offer in their name, I think I’d start making a few phone calls……

 

[Belle0101]

I've gotten away with not providing the SS numbers of my children but not mine or my husband's. With my children's they (doctor and dentist offices) insist they need it so I play dumb and say I don't know what it is. They tell me to bring it on my next visit and I just continue to play dumb.

At those same offices, I've been told that I either have to give my number or my husband's or pay for the visit in full before I see the doctor or dentist. Supposedly, which I don't believe since I give them our insurance card(s) at each visit, they can't file with insurance without a SS number. DH carries the insurance through his work.

 

[tasha99]

The thread about the fraudulent tax return got me thinking about all the random bits of paperwork that request or require a social security number, and how unsecured that information really is when you're expected to provide it to every doctor and dentist you've ever seen and every place you've ever applied for a job.

How many people opt out of sharing that information? Have you ever been forced to, or had to deal with consequences for not doing so? A friend who does hiring for a retailer says applications without an SS# go straight into the trash. Is that common practice, do you think, or an anomaly?

Interesting that a SS# is required to apply--is it to be able to run a credit check? Of course an employer needs the number, but I wouldn't think a potential employer necessarily would. Heck, unless they're running credit or background checks prior to the job offer, you wouldn't think they'd want them, just for liability.

I never give my ss# to doctors, but my kids have Tricare and it's all tied to their dad's number.

 

[bcla]

I've been working on refinancing, and it's creating all sorts of issues because SSN is everywhere. We've been trading this stuff by email and password protecting it. Right now a lot of my documents don't even contain the full account numbers nor full SSN. Even so, guess what's used as a password?

 

[Happy Snowman]

I avoid putting my SS# on anything until it is absolutely needed. It's pretty sad that your friend dumps applications in the trash that do not have SS#'s. In many ways, to me, that would say that they are contentious. When our kids were applying for jobs in high school I told them to put, will provide upon hire in the SS box.

 

[tvguy]

I was Information Officer for my son's Little League in 2000. I still have my old laptop with the Little League signup software that has almost every child's social security number on it, most of their parents social security numbers because back then that was your medical insurance ID number, and we were required to get that informaton. Plus I have every volunteer's (coach, umpire, snack bar worker's) social security number because we were required to do criminal background checks on those people, and you can't do a criminal background check without a Social Security number. I shredded the hard copies of all that at the end of the season, and I haven't used that laptop in years, but I won't get rid of it until I figure out how to propertly destroy that information.

 

[maxaroni]

I was stunned to find out your Medicare # is your SS#. One must have their Medicare card with you for insurance purposes

 

[Happy Snowman]

I was stunned to find out your Medicare # is your SS#. One must have their Medicare card with you for insurance purposes

You can request an alternate number if you want. I remember when SS#'s were our insurance card numbers too, and our drivers license numbers.

 

[maxaroni]

You can request an alternate number if you want. I remember when SS#'s were our insurance card numbers too, and our drivers license numbers.

I did not know that. I am my dad's health proxy and had his card. Good to know when it my time.

 

[Colleen27]

Interesting that a SS# is required to apply--is it to be able to run a credit check? Of course an employer needs the number, but I wouldn't think a potential employer necessarily would. Heck, unless they're running credit or background checks prior to the job offer, you wouldn't think they'd want them, just for liability.

That's it exactly - they run pre-hire credit reports. If an applicant doesn't provide the number they can't run the report so those apps are useless to them. It isn't for a good job either - just minimum wage retail, but it seems like that's the sector where I hear the most about credit scoring being used as a screening tool.

I was Information Officer for my son's Little League in 2000. I still have my old laptop with the Little League signup software that has almost every child's social security number on it, most of their parents social security numbers because back then that was your medical insurance ID number, and we were required to get that informaton. Plus I have every volunteer's (coach, umpire, snack bar worker's) social security number because we were required to do criminal background checks on those people, and you can't do a criminal background check without a Social Security number. I shredded the hard copies of all that at the end of the season, and I haven't used that laptop in years, but I won't get rid of it until I figure out how to propertly destroy that information.

Okay, that's crazy. Plenty of places ask for our SS#, but I've never had a sports league ask for the kids' numbers. Mine, sure, and I understand that being part of the background check process even though I don't like it, but I can't imagine why they'd want or need the kids'.

 

[Happy Snowman]

That's it exactly - they run pre-hire credit reports. If an applicant doesn't provide the number they can't run the report so those apps are useless to them. It isn't for a good job either - just minimum wage retail, but it seems like that's the sector where I hear the most about credit scoring being used as a screening tool.



Okay, that's crazy. Plenty of places ask for our SS#, but I've never had a sports league ask for the kids' numbers. Mine, sure, and I understand that being part of the background check process even though I don't like it, but I can't imagine why they'd want or need the kids'.

We had to give SS# when our kids were in travel leagues so they could verify their ages....because a lot of people lie about that.

 

[bcla]

I had a student ID where my SSN was used as the student ID #. I think they eventually figured it wasn't a great idea. Since then the university changed that.

 

[FINFAN]

I usually write "can provide if needed" in any space that require it on paperwork.

 

[tvguy]

Okay, that's crazy. Plenty of places ask for our SS#, but I've never had a sports league ask for the kids' numbers. Mine, sure, and I understand that being part of the background check process even though I don't like it, but I can't imagine why they'd want or need the kids'.

Many health plans used the individuals SSN as the ID number back then.

 

[Skippy918]

I needed to use my kids numbers when I signed them up for insurance. At the docs office, I just leave that field blank for their numbers. Other times I will ask why it's needed before I fill it in for my number at least.
Back in college our ID was our ss# and printed right on our ID cards. Surprised no one got their identities stolen because students lost cards all the time. And professors used to print out final grades by our ID number and post them on the walls.

 

[bcla]

Okay, that's crazy. Plenty of places ask for our SS#, but I've never had a sports league ask for the kids' numbers. Mine, sure, and I understand that being part of the background check process even though I don't like it, but I can't imagine why they'd want or need the kids'.

I've heard of some leagues in Little League Baseball where the league administrators not only asked for certified copies of birth certificates as primary proof of age, but where they collected copies and held onto them. I've even heard of some carrying entire collections for a team on a clipboard. Now that's a huge risk in terms of identity theft.

 

[Colleen27]

We had to give SS# when our kids were in travel leagues so they could verify their ages....because a lot of people lie about that.

We have to bring (not leave) a certified birth certificate and the player's student ID for age verification, but never social security numbers.

Many health plans used the individuals SSN as the ID number back then.

Ah, so that was before all this identity theft stuff became so common. I remember when I was a kid our insurance cards used SS# as our ID numbers, but it didn't seem to be an issue back then.

 

[DopeyDame]

I never put mine or my kids' SSNs on medical paperwork and it's never been an issue. I just leave the spot blank and no one has ever asked about it or followed up. I know a decade ago SSNs were often used for ID numbers (my college ID number was my SSN. I gave that out left and write - even wrote it on some exams. Eeck!!!)
I think that's why it's still listed on some medical forms, and probably why some places say you "need" to put it down. But since that's not true any more, they really don't need it. And like I said, no one seems to care one iota that I don't include it.

 

[Mkrop]

It drives me nuts that it is out there on all this paperwork but the one that bothered me the most was our mortgage company. Our mortgage recently got bought by a pretty big bank. They called us on our landline to verify some information BUT they would not tell me exactly who they were, why they were calling UNTIL I provided them with the last 4 digits on my SSN#. I told them I am not giving even those 4 numbers out over the phone when you can't even tell me what it is your calling about. They said it was the only way for them to verify that they were speaking with me and had the right phone number. I told them then we have a problem because I will never giver them those numbers. I hung up and called the number on my paperwork. Yes indeed it was the new mortgage company and they were calling to welcome us. Seriously? I am hoping they sell our mortgage again, I am NOT impressed with how they handle this.