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

Thu Aug 25 08:47:51 EDT 2005

Guys,
         When my social security number is for Social Security or for Tax 
purposes, I have no problem given that number with certain safe guards. 
Most places already have those safe guards in place that do under stand the 
law. My bank only ask for the last 4 digits of my SSN, the same with the 
local hospital, and many other places.

Jerry

At 07:29 AM 8/25/2005, you wrote:

>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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