Social Security Numbers

[hackercarlos]

Hi.

Here in the US Virgin Islands Social Security numbers are put on School ID's at the High School that I attend and on Drivers liscense.

What do you think about that ? Do you think that it is safe ? Do you think that they should be removed ?

Please post your opinions .

Thanks : )

[SARGE]

I believe most/all states require this now, along with a fingerprint. Big Brother riding strong. If you read the SS card, it says something about not being used for ID or any other purpose other than SS. I paraphrased. Some call the SS # the mark of the beast.

[troysvihl]

if someone wants your SSN, they're going to get it. so i don't really see the point to worrying about it. just keep a close eye on your finances and you got nothing to worry about.

[dan3223]

Here in Massachusetts, they give you the option of a random assigned number for your drivers license, instead of your SS#. I let them put my SS# on my license, because whoever wants it can get it anyway......

[mbossman2]

Originally posted by troysvihl
if someone wants your SSN, they're going to get it. so i don't really see the point to worrying about it. just keep a close eye on your finances and you got nothing to worry about.

you are correct, that if someone is serious about ripping you off there is very little you can do about it. however, you want to deter crimes of convenience, so publicly publishing your SSID is foolish.

Having worked with identity fraud in the past, it is a colossal pain in getting everything straightened up after the fact: credit bureaus removing the incorrect data only to have the bank resend the exact same data 4 weeks later, collection agencies calling sometimes 3-5 years later, bounced checks turning up against you (which can lead to arrest warrants out for you). This is the crime that keeps on giving, so removing the opportunity is paramount.

Check out this link:
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17-it.htm

[hackercarlos]

Thanks for the replies everyone and thanks for the link mbossman2.

[kraken]

They tried to give us one of those things (SS# / ID#) a few years back. We told them to go to hell, and they did.

Big brother ain't down under.

[Terry]

lol kraken, wish it were so here. In Hawaii they have been using SSN's as driver's ID #'s forever. I think there is a privacy bill in Congress that, among other things, would force this and other states to stop this practice, although seeing how the election went, no telling when it will be passed.