On Social Security numbers
Nov. 2nd, 2005 10:52 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gizaI found this little gem today: The Social Security Number FAQ.
Among other things, it tells you what rights you have under The Privacy Act of 1974 when a goverment organization requests your SSN. For example, they must tell you these four things:
The act also "makes it illegal for Federal, state, and local government agencies to deny any rights, privileges or benefits to individuals who refuse to provide their SSNs unless the disclosure is required by Federal statute". That's very nice to know.
The FAQ also goes into detail on things you can do to keep from giving your SSN to a business or employer that might request it. The whole FAQ is only about 10-15 pages, and I found it to be a very informative read.
Among other things, it tells you what rights you have under The Privacy Act of 1974 when a goverment organization requests your SSN. For example, they must tell you these four things:
1: The authority (whether granted by statute, or by executive order of the President) which authorizes the solicitation of the information and whether disclosure of such information is mandatory or voluntary; 2: The principal purposes for which the information is intended to be used; 3: The routine uses which may be made of the information, as published annually in the Federal Register, and 4: The effects on you, if any, of not providing all or any part of the requested information.
The act also "makes it illegal for Federal, state, and local government agencies to deny any rights, privileges or benefits to individuals who refuse to provide their SSNs unless the disclosure is required by Federal statute". That's very nice to know.
The FAQ also goes into detail on things you can do to keep from giving your SSN to a business or employer that might request it. The whole FAQ is only about 10-15 pages, and I found it to be a very informative read.
