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

[Kevin D]

When I was going to EKU back about '74, my Fortran prof suggested not using
ones SSAN for anything except tax purposes because of the pervasive
accessibility of computers.  So, when I went to the grocery, library or
anywhere they wanted one I simply made them up.

Now when we moved to Ohio about 15 years ago they put the SSAN on drivers
licenses.  Since the state of Ohio wasn't giving me a job, I made one up,
based on my old phone number in WA because I knew I'd have to remember it.
Now after 9/11 things are starting to get sticky, when I renewed my license
this year (for 5 years) they pointed out that there was some inconsistency
and I should check with SSAdmin. about a duplicate number out there!  I
figure one of these days I'll have to hire a lawyer... or alternately
transfer the two trucks in my name into my wife's name the year before I get
my license renewed, and then have the SSAN taken off of my license, as it's
on the vehicle titles as ID.

I just figured the original contract I signed in 1971 +/- says "Not for
Identification"... Oh what a tangled web...

Kevin (I'm always outsmarting myself) D.

 -----Original Message-----
 From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
 [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Peter Fels And
 Phoebe Palmer
 Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2005 2:10 AM
 To: Sponsored by ABANA
 Subject: Re: [TheForge] Way OT - Use of SSN for a computer ID


 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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