When I discovered how frequently we are asked for our Social Security numbers, I was shocked. The more I looked into it, the more I realized that we regularly give away this critical piece of personal information without understanding the consequences. This revelation struck me hard when I became a victim of identity theft after sharing my Social Security number in a scenario I thought was safe. In this article, I’ll discuss ten surprising places where you should never give your Social Security number, supported by facts and personal experience. Whether you’re an experienced expert or just starting out with personal security, these recommendations can help you secure your identity and prevent unnecessary dangers.
10 Surprising Places You Should Never Give Your Social Security Number
Here are the top ten places that you should never give your social security number;
#1. On Job Applications
It may seem natural to submit your Social Security number on job applications, but it is not always mandatory. Providing it too early in the employment process may put you at risk.
Why It is Risky: Many job applications, particularly those filed online, may not have basic security safeguards to protect your information. Scammers frequently create bogus job postings to gather personal information.
Example: I once applied for a job online and included my Social Security number. Later, I discovered the company was a hoax. I had to go through the effort of checking my credit for possible fraud.
Tip: Do not disclose your Social Security Number until you have received a job offer. Most genuine employers will only ask for it when doing a background check or filing taxes.
#2. On the Phone with Unverified Callers
Scammers frequently impersonate representatives from respectable companies to acquire your personal information. Never give your Social Security number over the phone unless you are certain about the caller’s identity.
Why It is Risky: Phone scams are frequent, and scammers utilize persuasive techniques to fool you into disclosing your personal information.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, phone scams caused a loss of more than $40 million in 2020 alone.
Tip: If someone calls claiming to be from a company you do business with and requests your Social Security number, hang up and call the company back from a verified phone number.
#3. Via Email
Email is not a secure means to transmit critical information. Hackers can intercept emails and gain access to your account to steal your Social Security number.
Why It is Risky: Emails can be hacked, leaving important information exposed.
How to Protect Yourself: When sharing personal information, always use encrypted communication or secure websites.
Tip: If you need to share your Social Security number, use secure web portals provided by trustworthy institutions or send it via encrypted email.
#4. Public Wi-Fi Networks
Using public Wi-Fi networks to enter important information, such as your Social Security number, leaves you vulnerable to hackers who can easily intercept your data.
Why It is Risky: Public Wi-Fi networks are frequently unsafe, allowing criminals to easily access your information.
Example: I once entered a banking website via public Wi-Fi and noticed illegal activities in my account. I now avoid entering important information over public networks.
Tip: If you need access to sensitive information when using public Wi-Fi, use a virtual private network (VPN).
#5. In a doctor’s office
While certain medical agencies may ask for your Social Security number, it is rarely required. You can typically supply alternative kinds of identification instead.
Why It is Risky: Medical offices may not have robust security measures in place to prevent unwanted access to your Social Security number.
Tip: Politely decline to reveal your Social Security number and offer alternate credentials, such as your insurance ID.
#6. For Rental Applications
Landlords frequently seek social security numbers for background checks. However, disclosing this information before signing a lease can be problematic.
Why It is Risky: Rental applications sometimes have lax security, and your information could be easily accessible by unauthorized individuals.
Identity theft reports related to rental applications have climbed by 23% during the last five years.
Tip: Provide your Social Security number only after you have been authorized for the rental property.
#7. On Retail Websites
Many retail websites do not require your social security number. Providing it on insecure websites might lead to identity theft.
Why It’s Risky: Retail websites may lack basic security safeguards to secure your personal information.
I once put my Social Security number on a retail website during a purchase, resulting in false activity on my credit report. Now, I’m cautious about where I release this information.
Tip: Never enter your Social Security number on a retail website. Retailers don’t require it to process your orders.
#8. In car dealerships
Some dealerships may ask for your Social Security number for financing purposes. Before you share this information, make sure you’re dealing with a respectable dealership.
Why It’s Risky: Some dealerships may fail to adequately protect your information, resulting in potential misuse.
Tip: Check the dealership’s reputation and read reviews before disclosing any personal information.
#9. Sweepstakes or Contest Forms
Scammers frequently utilize bogus sweepstakes or contests to obtain personal information. Be careful of any forms that request your Social Security number.
Why It is Risky: Many sweepstakes and contests do not require your Social Security number, and requests for it may indicate a hoax.
How to Avoid Scams: Enter only reputable contests that do not request critical personal information upfront.
Tip: If a contest requires your Social Security number, you should avoid participation.
#10. In hotels
While it may appear important to enter your Social Security number while checking in, it is typically not required. Hotels may use different types of identification to validate your reservation.
Why It’s Risky: Hotels do not require your Social Security number, and providing it may result in identity theft if the information is not securely protected.
Over 14% of identity theft incidents are linked to hospitality services, emphasizing the importance of exercising caution when exchanging personally identifiable information.
Tip: When checking in at hotels, bring alternate forms of identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.
When Is It Okay to Share My Social Security Number?
Though it is critical to preserve your Social Security number, there are valid reasons to share those nine digits.
“Any company that you’re applying to for a loan or line of credit needs your number,” Paige Hanson, NortonLifeLock’s cyber safety education chief, said in an interview.
According to Hanson, this includes banks and credit reporting agencies, but it might also include a cell service provider, as a phone contract functions similarly to a line of credit.
Your Social Security number will also be required for anything that triggers tax reporting, such as your employer reporting your wages to the IRS, according to Alan Butler, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a nonprofit dedicated to defending privacy and identity rights.
You must reveal it if you have an investment adviser or are involved in a cash transaction of $10,000 or more, such as purchasing a car or a home.
Government benefit providers, such as the US Department of Labor and state Medicaid agencies, may also seek your number. Those requests should include a disclosure form that states whether the number is needed or optional, validates the agency’s right to seek it, and explains what it will be used for.
How Can I Safeguard My Social Security Number?
Whether a corporation requests your Social Security number, see whether there is another kind of identification you may use.
By the time you reach adulthood, your Social Security number has been placed into so many systems that it is hard to keep completely secure. Consumers, however, can take steps to better protect their account numbers.
Do not carry your Social Security card in your wallet or pocketbook. Keep it in a safe location at home. Also, instead of throwing away any documents or letters with your phone number, shred them. Also, find out why you’re being asked for your social security number.
“You should feel empowered to question, ‘Why do you need this?'” “Where are you storing this?” Hanson stated. “‘Is there another piece of information I can use instead?'”
Hanson just took her daughter to the doctor, and the paperwork at the counter demanded both of their Social Security numbers.
“There was really no need for them,” Hanson explained. “So I left it blank on the form and they didn’t say anything.”
You can also secure your Social Security number by “freezing” your credit reports with Transunion, Equifax, and Experian.
If someone attempts to use your phone number to open a credit card or obtain a loan, the request for your credit report will be denied. You can freeze your report indefinitely or specify a “thaw” date.
You should also check your reports regularly for any unusual activity — a free copy of all three is accessible each year from AnnualCreditReport.com — and register an account on the Social Security website to see if someone is claiming benefits using your number.
What if My Social Security Number Was Compromised?
If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft using your Social Security number, notify the Federal Trade Commission, your local police department, and any businesses that may have been provided your number falsely.
If you believe your number has been used fraudulently to obtain a job or access your tax return, you can contact the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or visit the IRS’s identity theft website.
According to the FTC, getting a new Social Security number is unlikely to address all of your difficulties.
“Sometimes getting a new number can leave you worse off,” Steve Toporoff with the FTC’s Division of Privacy and Identity Protection said in a statement, “because you need to contact all the government agencies, financial institutions, credit bureaus, health insurers, and other places where the old Social Security number might be used.”
Key Takeaways
- Only disclose your Social Security number when absolutely essential and to reputable businesses.
- Verify callers’ identities before disclosing any personal information.
- Never send sensitive information by email, instead, use encrypted techniques or protected websites.
- Avoid entering critical information while connecting to public networks.
- Recognize that many places do not require your Social Security number and provide alternatives.
Conclusion
Protecting your Social Security number is critical to protecting your identity and financial well-being. Knowing where not to share this sensitive information can dramatically lessen the danger of identity theft and fraud. Did you give out your Social Security number in one of these unexpected places? How do you protect your personal information? Please share your ideas and experiences with us.
Related Articles
- How to Fix Online Reputation: Steps You Should Take to Restore Your Credibility
- HOW TO REPORT A BLACKMAIL: All You Need To Know
- Facebook Jail in 2024: Rules, Penalties, and How to Get Unbanned
- How To End a Conversation Politely & Professionally: Detailed Tips
- How Does Having a Social Media Policy Benefit a Business (+Free Policy Template)
References
