US Gov't: Do Not Carry Your Social Security Number; US Gov't: You Must Carry Your Social Security Number

from the mixed-messages dept

Thu, Jul 3rd 2008 8:16am — Mike Masnick

The classic concept of how to force someone to think for themselves rather than mindlessly obey authority is to have two equally powerful authority figures demand that the individual do the completely opposite actions (an example: having two top generals on either side of a low ranking soldier, one demanding he sit down, and the other demanding he stand). Somehow, though, I doubt that's the reasoning behind conflicting messages coming from the US government concerning whether or not you should carry your social security number on you. Jim Harper points us to the fact that the Federal Trade Commission has suggested it's not wise for American citizens to carry their social security number with them in their wallet -- yet other government agencies seem to require it.

Medicare and the Defense Department each issue cards with the person's SSN included. Medicare seems particularly conflicted about the whole thing. It refuses to get rid of cards with SSNs, saying that "it would be too expensive." Instead, in order to deal with the risk of identity theft over this issue, it suggests that you only carry the card with you when you think you might need it: "don't carry it with you unless you know you're going to need it." In other words, always make sure to properly predict that heart attack or stroke ahead of time so you know to carry the card with you. Of course, Medicare also publishes a conflicting pamphlet that reminds people: "Carry your card with you when you are away from home." Mixed messages indeed.

Then, of course, the FTC also recommends that you not write your social security on any check, as that's an easy way for ID thefts to get a hold of it. Of course, on the other side, you have the IRS, who asks taxpayers to write their social security number on the checks you send in. So will the FTC now go after Medicare, the Defense Department and the IRS for helping to cause identity theft? Somehow I doubt it.

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Filed Under: government advice, identity fraud, social security number

27 Comments

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Evil Mike, 3 Jul 2008 @ 8:26am

Godwin's Law:
The scenes from Nazi territory during WWII -
Black Dog - "Sir, your papers?"
Schmo - "I don't seem to have them on me..."
Black Dog - "You'll have to come with me for several hours uncomfortable hours of questioning, in which pain will be used as an incentive to answer quickly and truthfully. Luckily for you, however, there will be no torture."
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Rekrul, 3 Jul 2008 @ 8:32am

Why would the average person need to carry their SSN with them anyway. After all, the government has stated that it's not a national ID number and shouldn't be used as such...
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2008 @ 9:04am

Mike,

Finally, an issue I totally agree with you :)

Happy 4th!
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OKVol, 3 Jul 2008 @ 9:13am

VA also can't afford the conversion
They still use SSN as their primary index. Anyone want to start a charity for them?
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MEDIAEMPYRE, 3 Jul 2008 @ 9:19am

When you get a new job, you are required to show your social security card along with your id. It's a part of the I-9 form and required to determine citizenship status. Of course the illegal aliens have beautiful forgeries of your social security card too.
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SierraNightTide, 3 Jul 2008 @ 9:29am

Re: national ID number
Your SS number is your paper bar code for American life. That SS number lists EVERYTHING you have ever done that requires you to show it. Jobs, utilities, homes, tax records, health, travel ect… The SS number is your bar code for living in American and when you show it, you have have been tagged for govrmt database cataloging.

The next step? National ID, the step after that? Chips inserted at birth
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Overcast, 3 Jul 2008 @ 9:46am

Yeah, you'll get night-sticked if you don't have ID and get pulled over.
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asdf, 3 Jul 2008 @ 9:49am

Re: Re: national ID number
sweet, i want my chip to give me super strength.
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fdad, 3 Jul 2008 @ 9:50am

Re: Re: national ID number
or nanomachines!

Metal Gear!?!?
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Chief Elf (profile), 3 Jul 2008 @ 10:02am

How to avoid SSN on checks to IRS
How to avoid SSN on checks to IRS:

Don't send them any checks.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2008 @ 10:18am

Re: Re: national ID number
If the SSN is the barcode for my life, why do they need a National ID?

They'd be the same thing...

Remember, never attribute to malice that which can easily be explained by ineptitude.
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Mike_N_Nashville, 3 Jul 2008 @ 10:30am

Re: I-9 requirements
Read the entire list; your social security card is one option from list C, but so is a birth certificate so you are not required to show your social security card for employment.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2008 @ 10:40am

Re: How to avoid SSN on checks to IRS
I use electronic funds transfer
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Forge, 3 Jul 2008 @ 10:42am

Re: Re: I-9 requirements
A current and valid US Passport works for both forms of ID, and lets you bail this sinking country on short notice, should that become the most desirable course of action.
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Overcast, 3 Jul 2008 @ 10:42am

sweet, i want my chip to give me super strength.

The only person getting super strength off that is the super strength the government will have over you at that point.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2008 @ 11:03am

I've memorized my SSN, that means I'm always carrying it with me... what does that mean and what laws am I breaking?
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hjkl, 3 Jul 2008 @ 11:11am

Re: Re: Re: national ID number
I want mine to allow me to control and interface with technology.
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Chronno S. Trigger, 3 Jul 2008 @ 11:20am

Mixed messages?
With the Government doing such a good job protecting our SS#s, why do we have to worry about carrying them at all.
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Nick Burns, 3 Jul 2008 @ 11:24am

I want chainsaw hands.
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Jason, 3 Jul 2008 @ 11:26am

Nice find Mike
'nuff said.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2008 @ 12:22pm

Treasury requires it to get in the building
If you ever have a meeting at the dept of the treasury they will require you to give them your SSN ahead of time, presumably so they can security check you.
Even says so on their web site.
They should know better :-(
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JimH, 3 Jul 2008 @ 1:45pm

Yea...
...cuz two (or more)US Government organizations having conflicting rules and policies (usually for the wrong reasons) is not all that common..

/sarcasm off
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Michael, 4 Jul 2008 @ 4:42am

I don't think they have any idea
I don't think the government has any idea whether or not you should carry it with you. I personally don't carry it with me unless I know I'm going to need it for something, although I don't know why you would ever really know it if you have it memorized.
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Just Me, 4 Jul 2008 @ 5:09am

Memory
I have me SIN memorized as well (Canadian equivalent of your SS).
My only question to those saying they don't carry it is; what if you are unable to give it?
If you need it for medical reasons you may not be conscious when you get to Emerg.

I have a Health Card and provincial ID, neither of which have my SIN printed on them.

Though the ID's use a Master # that probably equates to the same thing.
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JB, 4 Jul 2008 @ 7:22am

DoD Is taking steps.
My latest military ID is sans a social security number printed on it. See this link: http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123093078
Our SSAN is our primary means of identification. I'm still not happy about that. The sheer volume of paperwork generated by even lowest ranking soldier/sailor/airman/Marine means that my SSAN is seen, transcribed, submitted and written down by literally dozens of people. My favorite is the Privacy Act Statement on the travel voucher. (Paraphrasing) "Submitting your SSAN is voluntary; however you will not get paid without including it."
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Lisa Westveld (profile), 7 Jul 2008 @ 4:57am

If I were that low-ranking footsoldier then I'd just shoot both Generals and wait until some sane General arrives.
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Lisa Van Houten, 7 Jul 2008 @ 7:07pm

Gov't IDT Practical Advice
First, one should NEVER CARRY their SSN card with them. So what about Medicare/Medicaid cards? An individual only needs it the first time they see a doctor. Typically it is scanned into their personal file. Therefore the individual can copy and delete the first 5 digits of the card and use it on subsequent visits. I recommend a second picture ID for verification, which can easily be obtained by your DMV. One does not have to drive to get a picture ID.

Second, the US government has absolutely no plans to change its current identification method. As Mr. Masnick correctly pointed out, "It's too expensive." � More importantly, what would they change it to? (Re: Anonymous Coward)

Third, Identity Theft cannot be prevented. You as an individual can only minimize your potential for becoming a victim. So what does your identity theft prevention plan consist of? Monitoring? Resolution? RESTORATION?

Fourth, when (not if) you start looking at identity theft prevention services I hope you will contact me for an intelligent conversation on the subject.
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