WorldWide Drilling Resource

77 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® JUNE 2013 Who Has Your Number? Adapted from an Article by Adam Levin at Credit.com When filling out an application, wheth- er it be for a doctor, employer, or school, one of the first things asked for is usually your nine-digit social security number (SSN). And oftentimes, without a second thought, you nonchalantly write down those nine sacred numbers and return the application to a front desk worker. However, instead of jotting down those numbers and handing over the applica- tion, you should be asking the employee taking the application, why they need your number, and who will have access to it. In December of last year, the United States Army announced hackers had been able to retrieve social security num- bers of 36,000 citizens who had visited army base Fort Monmouth in New Jersey. The hackers gained control of the CIA’s Web site and exposed the private infor- mation of thousands of citizens including FBI Director Robert Mueller and Hillary Clinton who was holding the position of U.S. Secretary of State; your doctor’s of- fice claims to be able to protect your iden- tity? So how do you protect your identity? How do you keep your SSN secure? By simply saying ‘No’. Here is a short list of organizations that have no reason to have your social security number and how to say ‘no’ to them when they ask for it. Public Schools: A common place to be asked for a SSN, but not necessary. Physical addresses can be confirmed through utility bills. Your e-mail and phone number should be given for contact pur- poses in case of an emergency. A birth certificate is usually required for identity when registering your child, therefore ask- ing for a SSN is overkill. Little League and Summer Camps: A social security number should NEVER be required by these types of organiza- tions. Your child’s birth certificate will pro- vide the needed information. In some instances, organizations will need your SSN when paying by credit, but bypass this issue by paying upfront with cash or a debit card. Supermarkets: A frequent shopper card is not a loan, credit card, or bank account, and does not require a SSN. These cards are used by stores to track purchases primarily for marketing, and used by customers to save money. No credit check is required, and no SSN needed. If on an application, leave it blank. Anyone: Do not give your social security number to anyone. If approached on the street by a ‘salesman’ or a citizen running a voter registration campaign, still say no. Register at your local county office and purchase the items you want from a store. If somebody calls you from Photo courtesy of careerfocuscafe.com (5 $4 )$2 0,./ .$ 1/$# !5 1*- 9 '-$ +/0 ))$./ 3,.)#3'#$ $4 " ##$+ 0# 0& 0 1!!,"( &,+$ 7 4 333 .$4*"% ##$+ ",* + /0,"( /'6$/ 8 0&.1 8 $ )/, " ..5 (5 $4 )$2 0,./ 3 %$$0 (5 $4 )$2 0,./ )) %,. '**$#' 0$ /&'-*$+0 0,# 5 your bank or credit card company need- ing this information, do not hand it over. Instead, hang up, look on the back of your credit or debit card, and dial the customer service number printed there. This will ensure the call you received was not fraudulent, and you are speaking with a representative from that company. There are many ways to identify yourself without using your SSN including using your drivers license or mail. Use these forms to identify yourself instead. Remember, you are the gatekeeper of your identity, and only you hold the key to keeping it safe. “Belief in oneself is one of the most impo r t an t b r i cks i n bu i l d i ng any successful venture.” Lydia M. Child “Formal education wi l l make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” Jim Rohn