Does anyone know any ways to protect social security number?

[josephabbott]

Hello everybody, I have been using my social security number for my taxation purposes. But, I have been recently intimidated by my lawyer that since the crime of identity theft has been on the high I should be careful in using it. I am really concerned about this and need to know whether there are any ways by which we can protect them.

[Jim]

There are places a social security number is required and there are places it's requested. Simply because it's requested doesn't mean you have to give it out. It's required by banks and employers (your own only) and for tax purposes but some companies have been using it as a unique identifying system when it isn't required by law. It isn't required for most of the times it's asked for. When I was in college they used it for the student ID number and it was on everything you did and every check you wrote. But that was before identity theft became so widespread.

Just refuse to give it out in those instances where it isn't necessary. And be adamant about it.

But it's still all too easy to find out the information and some people don't understand the risk they take giving it out freely.

[Trackerway]

If I am not mistaken, you can be issued some kind alternate ID number. I don't know if this comes from the government or what. But it's the same number of digits as a social, and you use it with those companies that "request" your social but don't require it. You might do an internet search or maybe ask your lawyer.