| Comment Number: | 531096-00008 |
| Received: | 7/31/2007 12:06:10 PM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | Cynthia Hawk |
| State: | TX |
| Agency: | Federal Trade Commission |
| Rule: | Private Sector Use of SSNs |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I once read and article that said when FDR initiated SS, he told the publc that NO ONE but you and the government will know your number. Someone definitely failed along the way! The SS is IMPROPERLY used for ID at medical facilities, insurance companies, and worst of all, credit bureaus. If I obtain your number and public information - name and address, it is easy to obtain credit in YOUR name. I see hundreds of files in Dr's and dentists offices that are accessible to cleaning companies, dishonest employees, etc. If I wanted to commit fraud or ID theft, I would start a cleaning service. NO ONE should be allowed to REQUIRE your SS for ID, if their business does not involve payment of federal taxes or SS related issues. Every credit application, medical inquiry, etc, requires the number, and that should not be allowed. Institutions should be forced to use another form of ID, which may be a combination of numbers, but NEVER more than the last 4 of the SS# Credit card and account numbers are assigned by computers or some other method, and so should ALL forms of ID. Phone numbers are unique. Perhaps a combination of the last four of a SS# and first 3 letters of last name would be a solution. Thank you, Cynthia Hawk