Comments on: On SSN Overuse: Fight the Power! http://techliberation.com/2007/10/18/on-ssn-overuse-fight-the-power/ Keeping politicians' hands off the Net & everything else related to technology Sun, 27 May 2012 01:17:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Constance Reader http://techliberation.com/2007/10/18/on-ssn-overuse-fight-the-power/comment-page-1/#comment-48021 Constance Reader Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:44:19 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2007/10/18/on-ssn-overuse-fight-the-power/#comment-48021 <p>Easier said than done. I moved a couple of weeks ago and tried to establish my new utility accounts without giving my social security number. It was possible to do so, but only if I was willing to make hefty deposits against future utility bills (the electric company wanted $200). So even though nobody is supposed to require your SSN, they penalize you for exercising your right not to provide it.<br><br>My credit union also requires you to verify your identity with your SSN (along with address and telephone number) when you call them on the phone.<br><br>I will never understand the thinking that goes on in corporations and other entities that believe identity and privacy can be protected by requiring callers to speak their SSNs out loud where anybody within earshot can make note of it, especially when the call also includes provision of your address and telephone number.</p> Easier said than done. I moved a couple of weeks ago and tried to establish my new utility accounts without giving my social security number. It was possible to do so, but only if I was willing to make hefty deposits against future utility bills (the electric company wanted $200). So even though nobody is supposed to require your SSN, they penalize you for exercising your right not to provide it.

My credit union also requires you to verify your identity with your SSN (along with address and telephone number) when you call them on the phone.

I will never understand the thinking that goes on in corporations and other entities that believe identity and privacy can be protected by requiring callers to speak their SSNs out loud where anybody within earshot can make note of it, especially when the call also includes provision of your address and telephone number.

]]> By: Constance Reader http://techliberation.com/2007/10/18/on-ssn-overuse-fight-the-power/comment-page-1/#comment-39565 Constance Reader Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:44:19 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2007/10/18/on-ssn-overuse-fight-the-power/#comment-39565 <p>Easier said than done. I moved a couple of weeks ago and tried to establish my new utility accounts without giving my social security number. It was possible to do so, but only if I was willing to make hefty deposits against future utility bills (the electric company wanted $200). So even though nobody is supposed to require your SSN, they penalize you for exercising your right not to provide it.</p> <p>My credit union also requires you to verify your identity with your SSN (along with address and telephone number) when you call them on the phone.</p> <p>I will never understand the thinking that goes on in corporations and other entities that believe identity and privacy can be protected by requiring callers to speak their SSNs out loud where anybody within earshot can make note of it, especially when the call also includes provision of your address and telephone number.</p> Easier said than done. I moved a couple of weeks ago and tried to establish my new utility accounts without giving my social security number. It was possible to do so, but only if I was willing to make hefty deposits against future utility bills (the electric company wanted $200). So even though nobody is supposed to require your SSN, they penalize you for exercising your right not to provide it.

My credit union also requires you to verify your identity with your SSN (along with address and telephone number) when you call them on the phone.

I will never understand the thinking that goes on in corporations and other entities that believe identity and privacy can be protected by requiring callers to speak their SSNs out loud where anybody within earshot can make note of it, especially when the call also includes provision of your address and telephone number.

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