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Is it against the law to ask someone for their Social Security number?
There is no law that prevents businesses from asking for your SSN. And you may be denied service if you don’t give the number. Remember that some government agencies can require your SSN. These agencies include DMV, welfare offices, and tax agencies.
Who can legally ask for your Social Security number?
Who has the right to request your SSN? Federal law mandates that state Departments of Motor Vehicles, tax authorities, welfare offices, and other governmental agencies request your SS number as proof that you are who you claim to be.
Why would you need someone’s Social Security number?
A Social Security number (SSN) is a unique identifier assigned to U.S. citizens and some residents to track their income and determine benefits. These include obtaining credit, opening a bank account, obtaining government benefits or private insurance, and buying a home or a car, among many other pursuits.
Is the Social Security number confidential information?
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. You should be careful about sharing your number, even when you’re asked for it.
Can someone have two Social Security numbers?
You may be surprised to know; you can get a second Social Security number, and there are legal reasons that allow it. As a matter of fact, you are allowed to have up to three Social Security numbers during your lifetime. If you are a citizen of the United States, children and adults are required to have them.
What information can be obtained with a Social Security number?
Many businesses ask for your SSN because it is a convenient way to identify you in their system. As a result, your social security number can now reveal all kinds of information about you, including places you’ve lived, your credit history, and maybe even medical conditions.
How did someone get my Social Security number?
There are a lot of ways someone can steal your identity or Social Security number. Thieves could swipe your Social Security number by exploiting data breaches, going through the trash for personal documents or using any number of other approaches.