When asked to provide your Social Security number, ask why it is needed, how it will be used, how it will be protected, and whether some other form of identification can be used.
You are required to give your Social Security number when you fill out your income tax records, on medical records, to get your credit report, on college records, to apply for a loan, when you register your vehicle, and when you sign up for social services.
You can refuse to give your Social Security number over the phone, as a club membership number, on address labels, as identification for store purchases and refunds, as general identification, and as your driver’s license number (unless the state requires it).
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