Re: SSNs (was Re: Internal Passports) (fwd)

[gimonca@skypoint.com (Charles Gimon)]

Forwarded message:
> Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 17:33:17 -0700
> From: jfricker@vertexgroup.com (John F. Fricker)
> Subject: Re: SSNs (was Re: Internal Passports)
> 

Before this gets too out of hand, I'm going to mention that Chris
Hibbert's Social Security Number FAQ (posted regularly to several
newsgroups, including news.answers) is superb. Great job of
separating legitimate paranoia from old wives' tales. Check for it
in Usenet or your favorite search engine.

Remember--privacy is your own responsibility.

> At 12:59 PM 8/5/96 -0700, you wrote:
> >Black Unicorn wrote:
> >> 
> >[ ...random losers asking for your SSN... ]
> >> > I was horrified and gave a random number.
> >> 
> >> You should always be horrified, and always give a random number.
> >
> >Well, it would be nice if it was that easy.  You (legally) need to give
> >the correct one to anyone who has to make a report about you to the IRS,
> >right?  Such as your employer.  But it's not always clear who else needs
> >it. 
> 
> Originally the 1939 ('37?) Social Security Act explicitly stated that the
> SSN could not be used for anything except SSA matters. Times apparently have
> changed or perhaps it's just de facto legislation by complicity.
> 
>