A dishonest person who has your Social Security number can use it to get other personal information about you. The Social Security Administration protects your Social Security number and keeps your records confidential. We don’t give your number to anyone, except when authorized by law.
Can I let someone use my Social Security number to work?
Yes, that’s what it’s called when you use someone else’s Social Security number to work, to open bank accounts or for any other purpose. The IRS, though, is cracking down on the misuse of Social Security numbers and pushing harder to limit the impact of identity theft on victims.
What can someone do with your Social Security number?
person who has your Social Security number can use it to get other personal information about you. Identity thieves can use your number and your good credit to apply for more credit in your name. Then, they use the credit cards and don’t pay the bills, it damages your credit. You may not find out that someone is using your number
How did Social Security become a personal identifier?
The SSN has become a personal identifier. The Feds passed a law that stated businesses could no longer use personal info (address, phone number, etc) to identify a person. Existing numbers already in use would be allowed to continue – and the most common number in use was the SSN.
Is it against the law to give out your Social Security number?
However, it can be murky as to when you should give out your SSN. According to the office of Xavier Becerra, the Attorney General of the state of California Department of Justice, there is not a law in place that prevents businesses from asking your social security number, and you can even be denied services if you do not provide it.
What do the first three digits on a Social Security card mean?
The first three digits are the Area Number. Just like the area code of your phone number places your geographical origin, Area Numbers represent where in the United States the person holding the Social Security Number was either born or received their card. Numbers start small in the eastern part of the United States and go up as you head west.
