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From: lyang@sun.com (Larry Yang)
Newsgroups: comp.society
Subject: Re: social security number and other privacy stuff
Message-ID: <646@hplabsz.HPL.HP.COM>
Date: Mon, 10-Aug-87 13:13:30 EDT
Article-I.D.: hplabsz.646
Posted: Mon Aug 10 13:13:30 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 22-Aug-87 18:28:27 EDT
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Andrew Burke writes:

> I also dislike giving out my SS#. Schools want it, hospitals and doctors
> want it, just so they can have a unique number to classify me under.
 ...
> My story about refusing to give out the SS# concerns mostly schools.

It bothers me too.  I was under the impression that the only people allowed
to ask for it were organizations associated with taxes; thus, the IRS,
your employer, your bank, your stock broker, etc.  Others shouldn't require
that information.  But we'd have to check on what is stated in the Privacy
Act.

Next time someone makes a stink about it, try giving an incorrect number.  
That should satisify the bureaucrats and the data entry clerks.

Another privacy subject:  Why do some stores ask for your telephone number
when you use a credit card?  Does that protect me from credit card fraud?
I know someone who always gives '123-4567' as his number.  Sometimes when I
feel 'bold', I give a different number, too.

And when I feel really bold, I run red lights when there's no traffic around.

  -- Larry Yang