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From: jet@karazm.math.uh.edu ("J. Eric Townsend")
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: Re: Social Security numbers
Message-ID: <1991Feb1.034754.24237@lavaca.uh.edu>
Date: 1 Feb 91 03:47:54 GMT
References: <4611@orchid12.UUCP>
Sender: nntppost@lavaca.uh.edu (NNTP Posting Service)
Organization: University of Houston -- Department of Mathematics
Lines: 19

In article <4611@orchid12.UUCP> motcid!ellis@chg.mcd.mot.com (John T Ellis) writes:
>	3. Currently, it is NOT illegal for anyone to ask you for your SS#.
>	   However, it IS illegal for them to refuse you service if you do 
>	   not give it to them.  If you encounter any problems with this, you
>	   are asked to contact the nearest SS office and report the offence.

Can anyone show me case law, or a law on the books that says this?  I tried
to open a *non-interest* checking account at a bank w/o my SSN (forgot it),
and they said "no".  I've also had to argue with video store people over
the same issue.

I'd love to be able to say "Law <foo> says otherwise.  Refuse me service
and I win the suit, guaranteed."

--
J. Eric Townsend - jet@uh.edu - bitnet: jet@UHOU - vox: (713) 749-2120
"It is the cunning of form to veil itself continually in the evidence
of content.  It is the cunning of the code to veil itself and to produce
itself in the obviousness of value." -- Baudrillard