When Is It Okay To Use Your Social Security Number?

One of the most important assets to any identity thief is your Social Security Number.  Meaning that is one the pieces of your personal individuality that you should never give out, unless you absolutely have to do so.  There are the obvious situations in which your Social Security Number will be required, such as applying for a bank account or loan from a bank, as well as filling out government information, such as your taxes or certain forms at the DMV.  But in most cases your Social Security Number should not be necessary information for anyone.

The people that absolutely need it, and that you needn’t worry when they ask, are going to be employers for tax purposes, and also when you engage in the service of any business in which a credit check is necessary.  But other than that you should be leery of anytime you are asked by a nongovernmental foundation, as some businesses and services require your Social Security Number to provide you with service, but to these there are a few questions you should always ask.

Those being:  Why do you need my Social Security Number?  What are you going to use my SSN for?  And how do you protect my SSN information from falling into the wrong hands?

If you don’t like the answers to any of these, I would recommend keeping your Social Security Number to yourself.  The business or company could of course then refuse service to you, but finding somebody else that offers a similar product that you don’t have to give your SSN to is never a bad idea.

Keep those tips in mind, and always keep your Social Security Number as private as possible.  And remember, if you don’t like how a company responds to the information regarding your Social Security Number, they probably aren’t worth the time and effort of your business and private information.  Never give out your SSN unless you’re absolutely sure that it will remain completely safe.