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US Gov't: Do Not Carry Your Social Security Number; US Gov't: You Must Carry Your Social Security Number
from the mixed-messages dept
The classic concept of how to force someone to think for themselves rather than mindlessly obey authority is to have two equally powerful authority figures demand that the individual do the completely opposite actions (an example: having two top generals on either side of a low ranking soldier, one demanding he sit down, and the other demanding he stand). Somehow, though, I doubt that's the reasoning behind conflicting messages coming from the US government concerning whether or not you should carry your social security number on you. Jim Harper points us to the fact that the Federal Trade Commission has suggested it's not wise for American citizens to carry their social security number with them in their wallet -- yet other government agencies seem to require it.
Medicare and the Defense Department each issue cards with the person's SSN included. Medicare seems particularly conflicted about the whole thing. It refuses to get rid of cards with SSNs, saying that "it would be too expensive." Instead, in order to deal with the risk of identity theft over this issue, it suggests that you only carry the card with you when you think you might need it: "don't carry it with you unless you know you're going to need it." In other words, always make sure to properly predict that heart attack or stroke ahead of time so you know to carry the card with you. Of course, Medicare also publishes a conflicting pamphlet that reminds people: "Carry your card with you when you are away from home." Mixed messages indeed.
Then, of course, the FTC also recommends that you not write your social security on any check, as that's an easy way for ID thefts to get a hold of it. Of course, on the other side, you have the IRS, who asks taxpayers to write their social security number on the checks you send in. So will the FTC now go after Medicare, the Defense Department and the IRS for helping to cause identity theft? Somehow I doubt it.
Reader Comments
(Flattened / Threaded)
Godwin's Law:
The scenes from Nazi territory during WWII -
Black Dog - "Sir, your papers?"
Schmo - "I don't seem to have them on me..."
Black Dog - "You'll have to come with me for several hours uncomfortable hours of questioning, in which pain will be used as an incentive to answer quickly and truthfully. Luckily for you, however, there will be no torture."
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Why would the average person need to carry their SSN with them anyway. After all, the government has stated that it's not a national ID number and shouldn't be used as such...
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Re: national ID number
Your SS number is your paper bar code for American life. That SS number lists EVERYTHING you have ever done that requires you to show it. Jobs, utilities, homes, tax records, health, travel ect… The SS number is your bar code for living in American and when you show it, you have have been tagged for govrmt database cataloging.
The next step? National ID, the step after that? Chips inserted at birth
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Re: Re: national ID number
sweet, i want my chip to give me super strength.
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Re: Re: Re: national ID number
I want mine to allow me to control and interface with technology.
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Re: Re: national ID number
or nanomachines!
Metal Gear!?!?
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Re: Re: national ID number
If the SSN is the barcode for my life, why do they need a National ID?
They'd be the same thing...
Remember, never attribute to malice that which can easily be explained by ineptitude.
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Mike,
Finally, an issue I totally agree with you :)
Happy 4th!
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VA also can't afford the conversion
They still use SSN as their primary index. Anyone want to start a charity for them?
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When you get a new job, you are required to show your social security card along with your id. It's a part of the I-9 form and required to determine citizenship status. Of course the illegal aliens have beautiful forgeries of your social security card too.
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Re: I-9 requirements
Read the entire list; your social security card is one option from list C, but so is a birth certificate so you are not required to show your social security card for employment.
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Re: Re: I-9 requirements
A current and valid US Passport works for both forms of ID, and lets you bail this sinking country on short notice, should that become the most desirable course of action.
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Yeah, you'll get night-sticked if you don't have ID and get pulled over.
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How to avoid SSN on checks to IRS
How to avoid SSN on checks to IRS:
Don't send them any checks.
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Re: How to avoid SSN on checks to IRS
I use electronic funds transfer
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sweet, i want my chip to give me super strength.
The only person getting super strength off that is the super strength the government will have over you at that point.
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I've memorized my SSN, that means I'm always carrying it with me... what does that mean and what laws am I breaking?
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Mixed messages?
With the Government doing such a good job protecting our SS#s, why do we have to worry about carrying them at all.
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I want chainsaw hands.
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Nice find Mike
'nuff said.
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Treasury requires it to get in the building
If you ever have a meeting at the dept of the treasury they will require you to give them your SSN ahead of time, presumably so they can security check you.
Even says so on their web site.
They should know better :-(
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Yea...
...cuz two (or more)US Government organizations having conflicting rules and policies (usually for the wrong reasons) is not all that common..
/sarcasm off
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I don't think they have any idea
I don't think the government has any idea whether or not you should carry it with you. I personally don't carry it with me unless I know I'm going to need it for something, although I don't know why you would ever really know it if you have it memorized.
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Memory
I have me SIN memorized as well (Canadian equivalent of your SS).
My only question to those saying they don't carry it is; what if you are unable to give it?
If you need it for medical reasons you may not be conscious when you get to Emerg.
I have a Health Card and provincial ID, neither of which have my SIN printed on them.
Though the ID's use a Master # that probably equates to the same thing.
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DoD Is taking steps.
My latest military ID is sans a social security number printed on it. See this link: http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123093078
Our SSAN is our primary means of identification. I'm still not happy about that. The sheer volume of paperwork generated by even lowest ranking soldier/sailor/airman/Marine means that my SSAN is seen, transcribed, submitted and written down by literally dozens of people. My favorite is the Privacy Act Statement on the travel voucher. (Paraphrasing) "Submitting your SSAN is voluntary; however you will not get paid without including it."
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If I were that low-ranking footsoldier then I'd just shoot both Generals and wait until some sane General arrives.
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Gov't IDT Practical Advice
First, one should NEVER CARRY their SSN card with them. So what about Medicare/Medicaid cards? An individual only needs it the first time they see a doctor. Typically it is scanned into their personal file. Therefore the individual can copy and delete the first 5 digits of the card and use it on subsequent visits. I recommend a second picture ID for verification, which can easily be obtained by your DMV. One does not have to drive to get a picture ID.
Second, the US government has absolutely no plans to change its current identification method. As Mr. Masnick correctly pointed out, "It's too expensive." More importantly, what would they change it to? (Re: Anonymous Coward)
Third, Identity Theft cannot be prevented. You as an individual can only minimize your potential for becoming a victim. So what does your identity theft prevention plan consist of? Monitoring? Resolution? RESTORATION?
Fourth, when (not if) you start looking at identity theft prevention services I hope you will contact me for an intelligent conversation on the subject.
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