Author |
Topic: Have you ever been asked for your SS#.... (Read 587 times) |
|
Jonny
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Give me a shovel Ill dig my own grave!
 
Gender: 
Posts: 26213
|
 |
Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« on: Mar 5th, 2007, 5:30pm » |
 Quote  Modify
|
at a medical test?
My wife went for a bone scan and they asked her for her SS#, without thinking she gave it to the receptionist.
This has never happen to me, I was just wondering what reason there could be for this and if any of you have ever been asked.
Thanks!
|
|
 IP Logged |
It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
|
|
|
Brew
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Low Four!
Gender:
Posts: 6515
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #1 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 5:32pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Medical places always ask us for our name and date of birth.
My wife refuses to get a cell phone with Verizon because she will not provide them with a SS#, which is something they require.
|
|
IP Logged |
Always remember that you're unique, just like everyone else.
|
|
|
Grandma_Sweet_Boy
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
What Goes Around Comes Around!
Gender: 
Posts: 3267
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #2 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 5:32pm » |
Quote Modify
|
All kinds of places ask for it here - I don't give it to anyone. I can't think of any valid reason they would need it.
Government agencies, yes - anyone else, nope!
Carol
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
TonyG1
Guest
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #3 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 5:35pm » |
Quote Modify
 Remove
|
Generally if their is a question on insurance coverage, they could use it for insurance verification; however, normally I've been asked on paperwork when I was a new patient. Always pays to play it safe and ask them what they need it for ....
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
JeffB
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Wide open till you see God, then brake
Gender:
Posts: 2729
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #4 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 5:38pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Maybe for record keeping. Thats the primary way for us to bring up an emplyees file. I have 30 Smiths, 38 Jone's, and 187 Martinez's, so plugging in a number in search mode makes it easier.
|
|
IP Logged |
" It's been my experience that people who have no vices have very little virtues."
|
|
|
seasonalboomer
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
If I think hard enough maybe it'll go away.....
Gender:
Posts: 2248
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #5 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 5:44pm » |
Quote Modify
|
a lot of medical offices were traditionally set-up that ssn was the account number, as was most blue cross med ins. -- mine just changed two years ago. medical establishment has been the slowest and dumbest when it comes to privacy issues. i remember going to see my wife in the hospital and every chart hanging in the rack outside every room had ssn right at the top of it.......
probably nothing to worry about. i've reached the point where even if it is legit i give em a hard time when anyone asks for it.
scott
|
|
IP Logged |
-----------------------------------------------------
seasonal boomer
-----------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
cynjeep89
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Gender:
Posts: 1228
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #6 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 5:48pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Jonny,
When I was working in the Medical Records Dept. in a hospital, we used to use SS#/terminal digit method for our filing system.
The file room was arranged by the last two #s of the SS# (or pseudo #s that were assigned to newborns). So, for example, if your SS# was 123-45-6789, your chart would be filed in the #89 section and working backwards, we would use the 67, 45 and 123 to file the chart.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
Jonny
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Give me a shovel Ill dig my own grave!
Gender:
Posts: 26213
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #7 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 5:56pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Thanks folks.
With all the docs I have seen over the years they have never asked me that question.
In this day and age its pays to ask questions, if ya know what I mean.
Thanks again!
|
|
IP Logged |
It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
|
|
|
Mosaicwench
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Find joy in your day
Gender:
Posts: 1657
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #8 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 6:38pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Three months from now request a copy of your credit report and see if anything new has been added on the off chance that this woman is phishing for identities . . .
Just make a note on your calendar for June 5th to go and get a copy (you're allowed one free one per year).
Can't hurt to keep a close eye on it.
Hope your wife is okay - didn't even know you had a wife, Jonny!
|
|
IP Logged |
The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter. ~Author Unknown
|
|
|
artonio7
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Home since 11/18/06
 
Gender:
Posts: 2034
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #9 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 6:44pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I've been asked for my ss# at the doctor's office before... I just gave them yours Jonny 
with warm regards,
Tony
|
| « Last Edit: Mar 5th, 2007, 6:44pm by artonio7 » |
IP Logged |
Hope! http://artonio7.com
CH Pain Calendar Free Download
For artwork
|
|
|
PollyPocket
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Someone I am is waiting for my courage.
Gender:
Posts: 2496
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #10 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 6:53pm » |
Quote Modify
|
of all places........the pharmacy. They got seriously pissed cuz I wouldn't give it. too bad, so sad, you don't need it!
|
|
IP Logged |
“Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.” - Stacey Charter
"If I don't remember it happening, it never happened. " - Tori
|
|
|
Jonny
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Give me a shovel Ill dig my own grave!
Gender:
Posts: 26213
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #11 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 7:01pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on Mar 5th, 2007, 6:38pm, Mosaicwench wrote:| didn't even know you had a wife, Jonny! |
|
Yeah, 17 years....still trying to figure out whats worse, CH or being married....LOL 
|
|
IP Logged |
It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
|
|
|
Redd
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Gender:
Posts: 6661
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #12 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 7:10pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Any place that you do not already have a line of credit, or you are asking them to extend you a line of credit CAN ask. Yes this does include such people as potential landlords, medical fascilities who are not "in network" in case your insurance is rejected for the tests being performed. Many clinics, mostly specialty clinics DO have the right to assess the person's credit worthyness.
I worked in debt collection, and I can only tell you that there are 2 things that make the cost of medical care so damn high. Malpractice insurance costs, and "BAD DEBT".
Billions upon billions of dollars go unpaid every year.
From just one yes ONE medical group that used that service...they turned over between 1/4 to 1/2 a million dollars in bad debt per MONTH. That was to our office alone, and they contracted with 3 seperate collection agencies. So you do that math. And this is just ONE medical group.
Cell phone companies also have the right to run a credit check before they approve the application. Most all of them do. Employers run credit checks. We need to be careful, but we also need to be informed consumers to know who does reserve the right to ask and who doesn't.
|
|
IP Logged |
I saw an act of faith today. A man was on his knees, not in a pew in a Church, but in a garden planting seeds. ~~Unknown
|
|
|
Mosaicwench
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Find joy in your day
Gender:
Posts: 1657
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #13 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 8:46pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on Mar 5th, 2007, 7:10pm, Redd wrote:
Cell phone companies also have the right to run a credit check before they approve the application.
|
|
But they can use my driver's license number for a credit check, right? I walked out on a Verizon sale because they wouldn't give me a cell phone without my SS# or a $450 NONrefundable deposit - too bad I wasn't falling for it.
I have a credit score in the 790's so there is no way I'm a risk.
|
|
IP Logged |
The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter. ~Author Unknown
|
|
|
Charlie
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Happy to be here
   
Gender:
Posts: 14968
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #14 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 9:26pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I get asked all the time since I started to deal with the government a bit. My bank wants it most of the time too because I never remember my savings account number.
I don't like using it though. I won't carry any medical insurance cards that use it. I had a lot of trouble with my old isurance card because of it. Idiots.
Charlie
|
|
IP Logged |
There is nothing more satisfying than being shot at without result---Winston Churchill
|
|
|
Lizzie2
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
"L'Chaim"~Hebre w Toast~"To Life"
Gender:
Posts: 4458
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #15 on: Mar 5th, 2007, 9:38pm » |
Quote Modify
|
The hospital where I work and also go as a patient asks for your SSN on everything. And every college out there seems to do the same. My student number was my SSN. And in classes, they usually report grades with the last 4 digits of your SSN. Is it right? Not really... I suppose I could have refused if I wanted to, but I never did...
At any rate - in the hospital, usually after you give your name, the two things they verify are date of birth and SSN - when I worked in ER registration, I always had to get those 2 pieces of info to register someone, because if one of those numbers was incorrect or if the name was spelled wrong (or difficult to spell, given the number of ethnic names), we could always bring the person up with the SSN - no matter what. Also, the SSN is often a medicaid number in some states. If you have two patients with the same name and the same birthdate (it happens!), then you can distinguish them by SSN - and you can also merge charts that are accidentally started twice for the same person if you have the same SSN on them.
I agree that this is dangerous, in terms of privacy, but that's largely why it is done! Name and date of birth are the two patient identifiers that are standard as per JCAHO (Joint Commission regulations).
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
BobG
New Board Hall of Famer
Gender:
Posts: 5747
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #16 on: Mar 6th, 2007, 6:23am » |
Quote Modify
|
on Mar 5th, 2007, 8:46pm, Mosaicwench wrote:
But they can use my driver's license number for a credit check, right? |
|
In Nevada the SS# used to be used as a driver's license number until enough people complained and got it stopped. Now the DMV assigns a number that, with a mathematical formula, will reveal your SS#.
Friggin bureaucrats.
|
|
IP Logged |
Stay stressed. Never relax. Never sleep. Ever.
|
|
|
Redd
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Gender:
Posts: 6661
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #17 on: Mar 6th, 2007, 7:34am » |
Quote Modify
|
on Mar 5th, 2007, 8:46pm, Mosaicwench wrote:
But they can use my driver's license number for a credit check, right? I walked out on a Verizon sale because they wouldn't give me a cell phone without my SS# or a $450 NONrefundable deposit - too bad I wasn't falling for it.
I have a credit score in the 790's so there is no way I'm a risk.
|
|
Drivers licence does not give access to your credit report, only to prove that you are the person they are running the credit report on.
You have the choice to pay the deposit to secure their service, which is about 2x the amount of the breach of contract fee, or let them run the credit check. At the collection agency, I would see cell bills come in from Cellular One in amounts over 6K.
Business to business credit checks occure every day where I work too. If a business doesn't want to go threw a credit check then they must prepay for their advertising. Heck...many advertisers have gone the route of bad debt with us to where we don't take any advertising from them without cash in hand. If they write a check, we call the bank to gaurentee funds.
Cell phone companies are no different than any other service or business that needs to take measures to ensure they are going to get paid.
|
|
IP Logged |
I saw an act of faith today. A man was on his knees, not in a pew in a Church, but in a garden planting seeds. ~~Unknown
|
|
|
burnt-toast
New Board Hall of Famer
Gender:
Posts: 1686
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #18 on: Mar 6th, 2007, 8:30am » |
Quote Modify
|
You hear it all the time - To avoid identity theft never give out you're SS# number.
It's part of the account number printed right on medical insurance cards, so I never get asked for it at the docs - they just have it.
SS# is now required - by the Federal government, to purchase a fishing or hunting license in this state. The clerk a Walmart, Kmart, Dick's or Rinkydinks sporting goods gets to record all personal information including drivers license# and SS#. Pay by check or credit card and they also get a few starter account numbers to work with. Even worse is the fact that the completed tablets are routinely left on the counter in plain sight of anyone that wants to read them. Talk about a recipe for identiy theft and for what purpose - For the Federal government to keep tabs on hunters and fishermen?
It's listed as optional on forms for purchasing firearms. I always refuse to give it to the store clerk when I buy a gun - I don't want the clerk to have all of my personal information. But when the clerk calls in for the instant background check the agent on the phone just gives it to the clerk to put on the form. It frosts me that a store clerk is recording every bit of information needed to start an identity theft ring. It also dispells the myth that there isn't any gun registration - but that's a different subject.
So if you need medical care, fish, hunt or purchase a firearm - you've got nothing to protect.
Tom
|
|
IP Logged |
Would the owner of the propane torch, egg beater, pipe expander and vise grips please claim these items. They're lodged in my head and I need the space.
|
|
|
minnie
New Board Hall of Famer
my greatest joys are my daughters April & Beth
Gender:
Posts: 1059
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #19 on: Mar 6th, 2007, 9:38am » |
Quote Modify
|
Worked in retail for years in the jewlery dept.Every once and a while I would see some customers would for some dumb/misinformed reason have their social security #printed on their checks I told them never do that and pointed out all the info on that check.  people just don't think.That was in the 90's and people are getting a little better.On my credit cards I write please ask for ID.It is VERY RARE for anyone to check the signiture so when they do and ask for ID I thank them.When I worked I always checked the sigiture and if it was inlegable I would ask for ID.Some got mad but most understood it was for their benefit.Retail is different now I also called people Mam and sir and tried to show respect thats rare now.....
ok stepping off my soapbox
Minnie
|
|
IP Logged |
Friends are Angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly
______________
You may only be one person to the world
but you may also be the world to one person.
|
|
|
drivin_blind
New Board Junior
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Gender:
Posts: 100
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #20 on: Mar 6th, 2007, 10:27am » |
Quote Modify
|
We no longer request or accept ssn#s on any court forms, except certain civil documents usually pertaining to credit card accounts or some cases of bank accounts where you would need a ssn. For what it's worth, I had surgery in Dec, and where it said ssn, I typed in 222-22-222 (registered by computer) and it was accepted and nobody ever questioned it. Not sure when it started, but I know all us Viet Nam era veterans have our ssn's as our serial #
|
|
IP Logged |
The true measure of a hero is when a man lays down his life with the knowledge that those he saves....will never know.
|
|
|
Mosaicwench
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Find joy in your day
Gender:
Posts: 1657
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #21 on: Mar 6th, 2007, 1:36pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on Mar 6th, 2007, 10:27am, drivin_blind wrote:| Not sure when it started, but I know all us Viet Nam era veterans have our ssn's as our serial # |
|
WWII vet benefits are all filed under the SS# as well. While my dad lived with us (and I was his health-care power of attorney) I'd have to spout his SS# all the time.
|
|
IP Logged |
The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter. ~Author Unknown
|
|
|
alienspacebabe
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
yup. i am. i do. uh huh. you know it hon.
Gender:
Posts: 1775
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #22 on: Mar 6th, 2007, 6:38pm » |
Quote Modify
|
When am I legally required to provide my Social Security number?
Question : Must I provide a Social Security number (SSN) to any business or government agency that asks?
Answer :
The Social Security number (SSN) was originally devised to keep an accurate record of each individual’s earnings, and to subsequently monitor benefits paid under the Social Security program. However, use of the SSN as a general identifier has grown to the point where it is the most commonly used and convenient identifier for all types of record-keeping systems in the United States.
Specific laws require a person to provide his/her SSN for certain purposes. While we cannot give you a comprehensive list of all situations where an SSN might be required or requested, an SSN is required/requested by:
* Internal Revenue Service for tax returns and federal loans
* Employers for wage and tax reporting purposes
* States for the school lunch program
* Banks for monetary transactions
* Veterans Administration as a hospital admission number
* Department of Labor for workers’ compensation
* Department of Education for Student Loans
* States to administer any tax, general public assistance, motor vehicle or drivers license law within its jurisdiction
* States for child support enforcement
* States for commercial driver’s licenses
* States for Food Stamps
* States for Medicaid
* States for Unemployment Compensation
* States for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
* U.S. Treasury for U.S. Savings Bonds
The Privacy Act regulates the use of SSNs by government agencies. When a Federal, State, or local government agency asks an individual to disclose his or her Social Security number, the Privacy Act requires the agency to inform the person of the following: the statutory or other authority for requesting the information; whether disclosure is mandatory or voluntary; what uses will be made of the information; and the consequences, if any, of failure to provide the information.
If a business or other enterprise asks you for your SSN, you can refuse to give it. However, that may mean doing without the purchase or service for which your number was requested. For example, utility companies and other services ask for a Social Security number, but do not need it; they can do a credit check or identify the person in their records by alternative means.
Giving your number is voluntary, even when you are asked for the number directly. If requested, you should ask why your number is needed, how your number will be used, what law requires you to give your number and what the consequences are if you refuse. The answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to give your Social Security number. The decision is yours.
|
|
IP Logged |
Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.
|
|
|
Redd
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Gender:
Posts: 6661
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #23 on: Mar 6th, 2007, 6:47pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Quote:If a business or other enterprise asks you for your SSN, you can refuse to give it. However, that may mean doing without the purchase or service for which your number was requested. For example, utility companies and other services ask for a Social Security number, but do not need it; they can do a credit check or identify the person in their records by alternative means.
|
|
That is my point although I didn't do very well at bringing that across.
Thanks Liz
|
|
IP Logged |
I saw an act of faith today. A man was on his knees, not in a pew in a Church, but in a garden planting seeds. ~~Unknown
|
|
|
Jonny
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Give me a shovel Ill dig my own grave!
Gender:
Posts: 26213
|
|
Re: Have you ever been asked for your SS#....
« Reply #24 on: Mar 6th, 2007, 6:56pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I learned through a call today to the IRS (to settle some shit my payroll company fucked up) that the SS admin. has me on their records as been being born in 1963.
Im not 44, im 43.....LOL
I feel so young!....LMMFAO 
Fucking tards!!
|
|
IP Logged |
It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Member Map
Login
Register
Reply
Notify of replies
Send Topic
Print
test rss