Re:A Bloomberg reporter’s account of trying to get back his ...
by ryandrake on Monday August 12, 2019 @12:42PM
(#20677126)
> We’re asked to hand over this number again and again to institutions that have failed to guard it.
You’re asked to hand over the number, but you don’t always have to provide it. Really only the government needs to identify you with this number, and only for purposes related to the social security system. You don’t have to give it to your doctor’s office or bank. Often, a simple “I’d prefer not to disclose this because of identity theft” is fine. They may press you for it, and most people are too timid to resist. If they are insistent I’ll just make up a random string of digits and that’s always been ok. All they are looking for is nine digits so the computer form they are filling out lets them move on to the next page.
You’re asked to hand over the number, but you don’t always have to provide it. Really only the government needs to identify you with this number, and only for purposes related to the social security system. You don’t have to give it to your doctor’s office or bank. Often, a simple “I’d prefer not to disclose this because of identity theft” is fine. They may press you for it, and most people are too timid to resist. If they are insistent I’ll just make up a random string of digits and that’s always been ok. All they are looking for is nine digits so the computer form they are filling out lets them move on to the next page.