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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!clyde!ihnp4!houxm!mhuxl!cbosgd!mark
From: mark@cbosgd.UUCP (Mark Horton)
Newsgroups: net.mail
Subject: Re: unnecessary data disclosure - (nf)
Message-ID: <575@cbosgd.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 10-Nov-83 13:19:57 EST
Article-I.D.: cbosgd.575
Posted: Thu Nov 10 13:19:57 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 11-Nov-83 07:53:40 EST
References: <3748@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Columbus
Lines: 9

I know that the SSN was not intended to be used for identification.
Yes, there is a law preventing people from asking for it without
telling you whether it is required and what will happen if you refuse.
However, apparently this law only applies to the federal government,
leaving private industry to do whatever they want.

In particular, banks always demand it when you apply for a loan,
and the medical industry uses it as a universal patient ID number,
especially for insurance purposes.