Last year I wrote a story about why it's such a bad idea to hand out your Social Security number even though everyone from your utility company to your doctor insists on having it. "I prefer not to give that because of the possibility of identity theft," I said. Then she asked for my Social Security number. When I first called the toll-free number on Verizon's web site to set up a new land line, the operator cheerfully helped me pick out a package and took down my name and address. By the end of my ordeal, I had to talk to a total of eight that's right, eight different Verizon representatives before they would process my order without my Social. The real challenge is convincing the people who automatically request such information that you really don't have to give it to them.Ĭonsider my recent experience of trying to sign up for new phone service without providing that particular bit of personal information. That's actually not true, but having that knowledge is only half the battle. Follow to provide our Social Security numbers have become so common that many people just assume they have no choice but to hand it over.
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