Who DON'T I Give My Social Security # To?

I have given my social security number to many companies. However, what happens when you give it to them? I once gave it to a paramedic...why would he need for? What can a EMT do with my social security number? Does my social security number become tied up in state and federal records? Will government officials be able to see my social security number now that has it been given? Or is there some sort of privacy for the holder of a social security number? When and how do they look for it when necessary?? Any answers??

I try to avoid giving my SS# to ANYONE. Simply because. I suggest you try to think about who it was that GAVE you the number to begin with though... it just might already be on file...

I don't give my to anyone except my job, my bank account, and the I.R.S. other wise if a place says they need my social security number I set things up using only the last four digits only

In general

when anyone asks for your social security number, ask them to show you legal justification for them doing so.

Many places ask for this because they have a form to fill out and the form has a place for this, and the form has no business asking for it

If I am in a store & they ask for my social security # I tell them "forget it ... I will find an honest place to shop"

Now some government agencies have a right to this info, and you need to give it when applying for a job or a bank account.

Most other places are using it for identification when the law says they are supposed to use something else.

According to government statistics, such as by the FTC, aprox 1 American in 7 will sometime in their lives become victimized by financial fraud up to and including identity theft.

A person who knows your name, can find you in the phone book, knows your social security #, finds out a little more about you ... they can open an account in your name
* borrow money from bank in your name, disappear & you are stuck with their bills
* get expensive medical treatment, in your name, then when all better, disappear & you are stuck with their bills
* get a job, using your social security # ... which is good for the taxes they pay in your name, but bad when the IRS says you under-reported your income on your tax returns