More SSN rantings....

[poltr1]

Earlier this month, my company switched to an electronic paystub system. Instead of having it mailed to me, I gotta go online to get it. The problem is, in order to log in, I need a PIN number along with my SSN (Social Security number), and I was never assigned a PIN number.

So I called the customer support number, and (you guessed it) they asked for my SSN. Since she couldn't -- or wouldn't -- help me if I didn't fork it over, I gave it to the clerk, quietly, and not in the expected 3-2-4 cadence. (I should have asked her, "What's yours?") After answering additional questions to verify my identity, I got my initial PIN number and was able to log in to their system.


I really hate that private companies use SSN for identification purposes, but I can't find anything that says it's illegal to do so. Fighting this and trying to get the rest of the world to comply and use a different identification criterion is a more daunting task than a salmon swimming upstream. Where do I start? With whom? And would I have a legal leg to stand on?

I first mentioned this two weeks ago, when I groused about having to give my SSN to someone over the phone regarding health-care information. Since health care has virtually nothing to do with the IRS, health care providers shouldn't require it or request it.

Here's a laundry list of sites I found regarding what I consider to be the proper use of the number, i.e. for Social Security Administration use only.

Social Security Number as Identification
by Ray Thomas
http://www.angelfire.com/co2/forcedaltruism/ssnasid.html

Government and Commercial Use of the SSN is Widespread
http://www.glr.com/govt/privacy/ssnuse2.html (plain-text)
http://www.gao.gov/archive/1999/he99028.pdf (PDF)

106th Congress, HR 220 (sponsored by Ron Paul) to amend existing laws re: SS numbers
http://www.house.gov/paul/legis/z-hr220.htm

Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) SSN Privacy Page
http://www.epic.org/privacy/ssn/
http://www.epic.org/privacy/ssn/testimony_0501.html

Minnesota Public Radio: The Surveillance Society | Your National ID Number
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/199911/15_newsroom_privacy/natlid.html

Your Social Security Number: How Secure Is It?
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs10-ssn.htm

FAQ re: the above
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs10a-SSNFAQ.htm

Comments

[dagonell.livejournal.com]

*Sigh!* I can understand your feelings. However, as a programmer, I can see their side as well. In NYC, it's actually possible for there to be two (or more) John Smiths in the same apartment building. There has to be a unique identifier to keep them straight. When a woman marries, she can change her name, her address, telephone, etc. The only universal constant that she won't change is her SSN. So people use it. They're not interested in committing fraud, they just want to keep their own clients straight. I sympathize with you, but I think it's a losing battle.
-- Dagonell

[fuzzyvanman.livejournal.com]

Actually, it is possible for a SSN to change. My dad used to work at SSA and he once talked about some of the issues involved with witness relocation programs. A new identity comes with a new SSN, but they need to track contributions from both identities. Apparently, looking up the old identity sends up big warning bells and invites a visit from government agents.

[sdorn.livejournal.com]

Where do I start?

With the company's HR folks, explaining to them very gently and quietly that it's not in the company's best interest to rely on the SSN for such purposes, because that puts the company at some legal risk in case of identity theft.