what to do if a company has your ss number wrong

Your Social Security number is a powerful string of digits. Information technology'due south the identification number the government uses to track your wages, and it'due south something you've probably heard you should keep under wraps to the greatest extent possible. The reason? If your Social Security number falls into the wrong hands, you could wind up a victim of identity theft.

The tricky matter, of course, is that you may state in a host of scenarios where you're asked to provide that number. For example, you'll typically need information technology to open up a bank account, or to enroll in a retirement plan like an IRA. Merely there are some situations where you may be asked to requite out your Social Security number fifty-fifty though yous're non required to. Hither are a few where it'due south perfectly OK to say no.

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i. When yous're applying for a job

One time you're offered a job, you'll need to give out your Social Security number in the grade of the onboarding process. This way, your employer tin verify your identity for wage-reporting purposes. And yous want that to happen, considering your Social Security retirement benefits will be based on your lifetime earnings, then whatever missing wages on your tape could cause yous to lose out financially later in life.

That said, there'southward really no demand to requite out your Social Security number during the job application process. An employer might enquire for information technology to verify that y'all're eligible to be hired should the desire to brand you lot an offer come up to be, simply in near cases, providing that number shouldn't exist mandatory.

2. When you're signing up for a loyalty program

Information technology's common to be asked to provide your Social Security number when you're applying for a new credit menu. But if you're simply applying for a loyalty card -- meaning, ane that gives you rewards at a specific retailer based on your spending -- so in that location'south no need to give out that number. The reason? Loyalty cards don't give you whatsoever sort of line of credit. They tin can't exist used to borrow coin or pay bills, and as such, you lot really shouldn't have to provide much, if any, personal information to get 1.

three. When you're registering a child for school

To enroll your child in public school, you'll mostly need to bear witness that you live where you say you lot do, and to that stop, you'll need to supply documents like utility bills and a driver'due south license that list your accost. Your Social Security number, though, should not be on the list of necessary identification items to supply.

The same holds true when you're applying for higher, or when a child of yours is doing the same. The only time your Social Security number will come into play is if you're applying for financial assist, but if you aren't, you shouldn't have to share it.

4. When y'all're visiting a medico

This one'south a bit of a gray area. It's common for medical offices to ask for your Social Security number, only the reason they practice so is to have a means of tracking yous downward if you fail to make expert on an outstanding bill. Much of the time, y'all don't need to provide a Social Security number to become medical care; providing your insurance information will suffice. This holds true even if yous're on Medicare. In fact, Medicare recently replaced its old ID cards, which contained Social Security numbers, with new ones, to protect that very information. If a medical office insists that yous must provide a Social Security number, push back. Inquire why that number is needed, how information technology will be used, and what steps will be taken to keep it secure.

5. When a random caller asks for it over the phone

Banks, companies, and government agencies generally won't call you up out of the blue asking for your Social Security number. If yous get an unsolicited call and you're asked to provide that information, hang upward the telephone and do not, under whatever circumstances, comply. In fact, yous should really study the number that chosen yous to the Social Security Administration so that it can investigate and possibly nip that scam in the bud.

You lot tin can't beget to allow your Social Security number fall into the wrong hands, then be sure to know when you should and shouldn't give that data out. Furthermore, it'southward a wise idea to memorize that number and store your Social Security menu in a secure place, like a locked condom at home. Carrying that card around at all times only increases your chances of losing it or having information technology stolen, and since it's not something you should be using on a daily basis, there's no need to betrayal yourself to that risk.

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Source: https://www.fool.com/retirement/2019/05/17/5-times-you-shouldnt-give-out-your-social-security.aspx

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