“Our SSN will hold very important details about us. A person can easily find out about someone by simply typing his or her social security number. Once he does this, he will see details like bank information, residence, contact details and many more. If the person doing the search has the intention of proving your reliability, then it’s fine. Employers actually do this. But if the person plans to steal your information, then you will surely face a lot of problems. Here’s how to avoid this scenario:
Today, we just can’t trust anyone because everyone, most likely, wants your SSN. This can be someone who wants to know about your credit rating so that they will know whether you are capable of paying a loan or your bills. Some use your name and address changes to keep track of you.
Some companies use social security numbers of people and make them part of their marketing list. This will serve as their leads. A listing with these numbers is more important than a list without them.
But when many people see your social security number, the more you are at risk to crimes like identity theft.
Billions are lost by American businesses to identity theft each year. These costs are eventually passed on to consumers.
Any business can ask for your SSN but there are very few institutions that can actually demand it. Tax departments, welfare departments or motor vehicle departments are some of these agencies that demand your SSN. Transactions that involve taxes like banks, brokerages, employers and the like have a legitimate need for your Social Security number. But majority of business institutions have no legal right to ask for your social security number. While there are no laws that prohibit them from asking your number, you have the right to say no. Offer to provide them an alternative identification card. If they insist, then refrain from doing any business with them. Remember, it’s also possible that they would refuse to provide the product or service that you are seeking.
But majority of companies will still do business with you even if you choose not to disclose your SSN to them. These companies may ask for a Social Security number to open an account but the information is not required. It will be used only as part of the customer’s record.
Some companies follow an operating procedure if people refuse to give their SSN. Some would administer a questionnaire so that they will have a way of finding about their credit history. Doing this; they won’t have to do credit checks. They will only count on the person’s words.”
There remain legitimate reasons for SSN checks. If you must run one, start with a social security name search. If you just need basic details about the person such as telephone numbers or addresses, a free ssn search should be enough. But for more in-depth information, you may have to upgrade to a paid service.