The U.S. government contradicts its own advice about Social Security numbers

Posted by Caitlin on July 2nd, 2008

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The Federal Trade Commission and the Social Security Administration warn, “Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check.” But at least 44 million Medicare insurance cards include the beneficiary’s full Social Security number.

Charlene Frizzera, chief operating officer of the nation’s Medicare agency, said it would be too expensive to change the existing system. “Our advice is, don’t carry it with you unless you know you’re going to need it,” Frizzera said of the government insurance card, despite the fact that the back of the card itself reads, “Carry your card with you when you are away from home.”

8 million Defense Department identity cards used by active duty and reserve forces and their dependents, as well as ID cards issued to military retirees also display Social Security numbers. The Pentagon plans to remove the numbers by 2014.

And when taxpayers use the mail to file their taxes, rather than e-filing, the Internal Revenue Service instructs them to write their Social Security numbers on their checks. While the IRS states that it will not reject checks missing the Social Security number, it has no plans to change the instructions.

A Social Security number alone is all a criminal needs to open fraudulent credit accounts using a victim’s identity. An identity theft protection service is the best way to prevent and detect identity theft. Monitoring your credit report is another way to determine whether an identity theft has opened accounts in your name. And online tax preparation services eliminate the risk of mailing checks to the IRS. When your Social Security number or other sensitive personal information is compromised, you run a far greater risk of having your identity stolen. Taking preventative measures is the best way to avoid becoming a victim.

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