Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!convex!tighe From: tighe@convex.com (Mike Tighe) Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk Subject: Re: Social Security numbers Message-ID: <1991Jan31.192916.19423@convex.com> Date: 31 Jan 91 19:29:16 GMT References: <29736@mimsy.umd.edu> <1991Jan31.044728.28435@iecc.cambridge.ma.us> <62440@bbn.BBN.COM> Sender: news@convex.com (news access account) Distribution: na Organization: Convex Computer Corporation Lines: 34 Nntp-Posting-Host: hydra.convex.com In article <62440@bbn.BBN.COM> rwaters@vax.bbn.com (Rolland Waters) writes: > In article johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us (John R. Levine) writes: >> You are free not to give it, and they are free not to do >> business with you. > > They are not free not to do business with you? Can you give me an > example, including under what law? I think that was the point. There is no law to prevent them from not doing business with you. I had a cable TV company refuse to provide service without a SSN. I wasn't left with much of a choice as to where to take my business either. I could go on and on with examples... The one advantage the customer has is that almost all of the places that require it (but do not have a need for it), have no way to verify if it is valid. So, if your amnesia makes you forget a few digits, or transpose them, or make up an entirely bogus number, they do not know it. >> Many states absolutely require your SSN for a drivers license, and a lot of >> them insist on putting it on your license. > I'd be curious, which states? As a gov't institution, aren't they > prevented from *requiring* your SSN? In my experience, I have been required to give it in Virginia and New Jersey. Both states put it on my DL. In fact, NJ wouldn't even let me register my car without it. The law only affects Federal Agencies I believe. -- ----------------------------------------------------------- Mike Tighe, Internet: tighe@convex.com Voice: (214) 497-4206 Fax: (214) 497-4550 -----------------------------------------------------------