Protect Your Social Security Number from Identity Theft

The purpose of the Social Security Number goes beyond being a requirement for a newly-employed individual. The SS Number is used by the federal government to keep records of your annual wages. Your employer usually requires you to secure one as soon as possible, probably before you earn your first wage. With your Social Security Number, you're taxes will be forwarded to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with the withholding tax amount extracted from your paycheck.

The SSA reminds you that the records and your Social Security Number are protected and kept with confidentiality. They assure you that they won't be giving it to anybody, but they may do so if it is sanctioned by the law. But then, the SSA also reminds you that you be careful of your own SSN from identity thieves. In these trying times, it is a hassle to be a victim of identity theft.


As such, it is an imperative for you to protect your own SSN from other people who may seem strange to you. If a business that seems unreasonable to you asks your SS Number, you should ask him or her why it is needed, how it will be used and what will happen if you don't give it. Some federal agencies require you to provide an SSN, such as DMV, tax agencies and welfare offices.

California regulated laws that limit the display of Social Security Numbers into the public. As such, organizations such as business and agencies are prohibited to:

Print SSN's on ID cards/badges; on documents mailed to customers (unless if it is required by the law or the document is an application form or any kind of form); and on postcards Embedding SSN's in cards or documents through a bar code or magnetic strip Have Internet users send their SSN's in a unsecured connection Have Internet users use their SSN's to log in a website

In case your card has been lost or you felt that someone is using your SSN, do not even think of having another SSN. Doing so can result in disastrous setbacks such as loss of credit history, academic records, and other information. The SSA rarely does this in certain situations, but you are not allowed to do so if you want to evade legal responsibility. It is best to contact a local SSA office near you and contact a Santa Monica attorney to help you assess your problem.

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