Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!lavaca.uh.edu!menudo.uh.edu!nuchat!elisem From: elisem@nuchat.sccsi.com (elise mahaffey) Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk Subject: Re: Social Security numbers Message-ID: <1991Feb7.010214.24736@nuchat.sccsi.com> Date: 7 Feb 91 01:02:14 GMT References: <4611@orchid12.UUCP> <1991Feb1.034754.24237@lavaca.uh.edu> Organization: NIA - Network Information Access Magazine Lines: 35 In article <1991Feb1.034754.24237@lavaca.uh.edu> jet@karazm.math.uh.edu ("J. Eric Townsend") writes: >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 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 Possibly one reason for your troubles of NOT having a SS# at a bank is that the banking industry uses the SSN# as a form of TAX-ID# that way, they can instantly know if your account is bogus or not, or possibly later in the future, know that you may/maynot be using their bank for "legal" purposes. But the SSN is vary important for tax purposes and YTD interest and such. -- Network Information Access -------------------------- elisem@nuchat.sccsi.com ...!uunet!nuchat!elisem