According to a national telephone poll by Consumer Reports, 89% of Americans believe that congress should pass laws restricting businesses and government agencies from using our Social Security numbers as ID. Many insurance companies and national associations have already given their clients/members a new ID number to use instead of their S.S. #.
What do you think?
Your # provides a wealth of information for thieves to unlock your financial identity. Have you provided your number for purposes other than credit, employment or tax auditing? I have.
Every time I go to a new doctor, dentist or other health care provider, I have to furnish my
S.S. #. I am NOT happy about this.
Is my information sitting in a file cabinet drawer in an office that is cleaned nightly? Is it possible that someone can reach into that drawer and use my information and then replace it?
Are my records secure from other prying eyes? Is my information being shared by the doctor's staff, when my records are forwarded to another doctor? This makes me very uncomfortable.
I asked WHY my S.S.# was needed when I became a new patient. The answer I received was, "What if we have to find you to pay your bill?" Well, I don't have a good retort for that. Any solutions out there?
Want to learn more?
Check out OnGuardOnline.gov and StaySafeOnline.Org for ID Theft on line.

Also s ee Sun-Sentinel, Sunday, October 7, Business & Money, page 3E.

> Discuss this entry