[TheForge] Way OT - Use of SSN for a computer ID

[Peter Fels And Phoebe Palmer]

On my one and only Calif Art Council grant..after a lot of time, 
a considerable row and political controversy..and way too much 
paperwork...they finally said...OK send us your SS # and we'll 
give you the grant.
I wrote back saying i was " Socially Insecure" and that I'd 
rather not reveal that #.
They insisted and we went back and forth a bunch.
Finally, I took a rusty piece of 3/8" plate, a blown out cutting 
tip and cut out each of the numbers in my SS #.
I carefully stacked them in order, slag and all and wired the 
stack together with a tag attached saying to read the accompaning 
letter before opening.
  Wrote letter explaining that, here was my SS # as they 
insisted, in a substantial and unequvocal format, and that the #s 
were stacked in order from top to bottom...don't mix them up!
Put the steel numbers and the letter in a stout box and sent it 
off to the Arts council.
A couple of months later I got a check from them...(they got the 
SS # wrong of course).
Pete F

Bruce Freeman wrote:
> The use of a social security number as ID is not consistent with the existing law.  LOTS of places do it, but the following excerpt from a SS dept. website notes that you don't have to go along with it.  Which is not to say that you won't catch shit for making trouble...
> 
> Bruce
> NJ
> 
> (http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10002.html#protect)
> 
> Protect your Social Security number
> You should treat your Social Security number as confidential information and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. You should keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you unless you need to show it to an employer or service provider.
> 
> We do several things to protect your number from misuse. For example, we require and carefully inspect proof of identity from people who apply to replace lost or stolen Social Security cards, or for corrected cards. One reason we do this is to prevent people from fraudulently obtaining Social Security numbers to establish false identities. We maintain the privacy of Social Security records unless: 
> 
> The law requires us to disclose information to another government agency; or 
> Your information is needed to conduct Social Security or other government health or welfare program business. 
> You should be very careful about sharing your number and card to protect against misuse of your number. Giving your number is voluntary even when you are asked for the number directly. If requested, you should ask: 
> 
> Why your number is needed; 
> How your number will be used; 
> What happens if you refuse; and 
> What law requires you to give your number. 
> The answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to give your Social Security number. The decision is yours. 
> 
> 
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