Franklin
County
 |
 |
Giving
Your Social Security Number to Others
In the first six months of 2001, there were 568 identity theft victims in
Missouri. Identity thieves steal personal information, such as a credit
card account number, Social Security number or driver’s license number.
Then they open up accounts in a consumer’s name and run up charges on
the account. Or, they use the personal information to charge goods and
services to a consumer’s existing accounts.
You
can minimize your risk of identity theft by protecting your Social
Security number. Give your Social Security number only when absolutely
necessary. Giving your number is voluntary even when you are asked for the
number directly. If a business asks you for your number, you can refuse to
give it to them. They can do a credit check or identify their customers by
other means. Do not carry
your Social Security card with you. Do not put your SSN on your checks.
And the next time you get your driver’s license renewed, ask that
a driver’s license number be issued instead.
Source: Federal Trade Commission and Social Security Administration
|
|
||||
 |
Franklin County University of Missouri Extension Center
FranklinCo@missouri.edu Last revised: 08/21/08 |
 |
||