Giving out an SSN - opinions?

[K&Rs Mom]

Our dental insurance has changed, and when I called to make the kids' appointment the receptionist told me I will need to put dh's social security number on the new form I fill out. I'm pretty sure they aren't allowed to ask this, because it's only the gov't that can use it for tracking purposes. I'm not sure where I got that info, though, and I do understand why they want it. In MI, either the SSN or drivers license number is needed for a court to garnish wages - if we didn't pay our bill, they would be unable to collect without one of those numbers.

I don't want to give out any SSN, for various reasons - privacy, identity theft, legal principle, etc.. But is it worth arguing about with the receptionist, who didn't make this policy and probably can't change it anyway? I've got a week to decide, and just wanted to poll the hive....

Thanks!

[MelissaD]

I have to use DH's SSN every time I use the insuance we have from his work (and now that I think of it, I think our policy number is his SSN plus a few letters). I'm pretty laid back so I don't worry about it. I think this is pretty common, isn't it?

Melissa

[kdeno]

I used to give it out willy-nilly but he works in data secutiry for a bank and it is too easy for people to get your # and start mischief :-P

[JFS in IL]

also use hubby's SSN since it is his insurance number, too - but refuse to bllithely hand out the kids numbers to schools, etc. If they NEED a number they can assign one of their own...or use hubby's number.

[orangeblossom]

If they use the SSN as the insured's ID, you don't really have a choice. Legally, they can't make you give it to them but they can choose not to do business with you if you don't comply.

I'd ask to talk to a manager and see if they have an alternative. I can't imagine this doesn't come up often.

[lynn]

Never. You don't have to give it to anyone. They can use a different number name and birthdate or drivers license. I've never had a problem refusing to give it. To Drs, hospital etc.

[Laura K (NC)]

I always make a typographical error when I am forced to give not only my husband's, but also my SSN at a doctor's office.
:glare:

I don't know why that always happens.

Good thing they won't need it, since they're never correct. They won't see us without this information. Why they need my SSN anyway is beyond me. I guess so they can send collection agencies to find me if our insurance company doesn't pay up.

If we were ever in a financial situation where we didn't have a trusty insurance company, or if we were dire financial straits that we would have trouble paying our doctor bills, I'm sure I would be much more careful with getting all those numbers right.

I am careful to check the privacy notice and to cross out the folks who they list as really needing all our personal information.

[Elisabeth in IL]

Our insurrance changed everyones ID from their SS#'s to random numbers. I try not to give out those numbers anymore unless absolutely neccessary.

[Unicorn]

If they use the SSN as the insured's ID, you don't really have a choice. Legally, they can't make you give it to them but they can choose not to do business with you if you don't comply.

I'd ask to talk to a manager and see if they have an alternative. I can't imagine this doesn't come up often.


What she said and, I would let her know in no uncertain terms that legally she can't ask for it. Make a nice big stink if you have to. Just like when I tell telemarketers that I'm on a do not call list, and they are in violation and if they call me again, they are gonna have to pay a fine. Kinda like that. :D

[PiCO]

If they use the SSN as the insured's ID, you don't really have a choice.


Legally the insurance company (and everyone else) is no longer allowed to use a SSN as an ID number. I never give out SSN, with the exception of gov't agencies and people who are paying me money that they need to record for tax purposes.

[Janet in WA]

Our dental insurance has changed, and when I called to make the kids' appointment the receptionist told me I will need to put dh's social security number on the new form I fill out. I'm pretty sure they aren't allowed to ask this, because it's only the gov't that can use it for tracking purposes. I'm not sure where I got that info, though, and I do understand why they want it. In MI, either the SSN or drivers license number is needed for a court to garnish wages - if we didn't pay our bill, they would be unable to collect without one of those numbers.

I don't want to give out any SSN, for various reasons - privacy, identity theft, legal principle, etc.. But is it worth arguing about with the receptionist, who didn't make this policy and probably can't change it anyway? I've got a week to decide, and just wanted to poll the hive....

Thanks!Contrary to what many believe, it is perfectly legal for an insurance company, doctor's office, credit card company, etc. to ask for and use a client's SS# for ID purposes (you can find this information at SS Administration's website). However, it is also perfectly legal (and advised by the SS Administration) for you to refuse to give out your SS# to any of these businesses. Keep in mind, though, that it is also perfectly legal for those businesses to refuse you as a client if you refuse to give them your SS#.

[HomeOnTheRanch]

:iagree: What Janet said. We never give ours out. Our ins. co. hasn't had access to it. The dr. offices usually tell me it is so the ins. co. can match up the records, but I tell them it still won't do them any good because the ins. co. doesn't have the info. I've had one receptionist get huffy with me and say if the ins. co. won't pay because I don't provide the SS# then we'll be responsible for the bill. I told her that she had a copy of the card with the ins. #, so if they enter that information correctly there shouldn't be a problem.

We've never been refused service. I have told a few that if they need it for a tax purpose (Do you want to give us $$$$? Thanks!!!), we'll be happy to provide it, but until they explain why they need it, we'll save it for our 1040.

It was 2 ins. companies ago that we started refusing to give them our SS#. They came up with an alternative # for us. A year or so later we got a new number when they across-the-board did away with SS#s in their system. We were trend-setters! :tongue_smilie:

[Jean in Newcastle]

I just leave that line blank. Most places never question me about it.

[Hillary in KS]

Hospitals, doctor's offices, and dentists always ask, more as a matter of routine, I think. I do not give it out.

Once in a while someone will say, "You have to give it. I can't process it if I don't have an SSN." But mostly those are people who have never had anyone refuse to give them their SSN. When I am firm, or when I speak to an office manager, it's fine.

[KidsHappen]

:iagree: Everything she said is correct. They can ask for it, you can refuse to give it, and they can refuse to do business with you (provide you with service). It is entirely up to you ask to whether this is a battle you wish to fight or not. For the record, I give out my dh's ss# for medical and/or insurance purposes because our insurance is tied to his number but I do not give out mine or my dc's for any reason.

Also ss#s are not as private as we would like to think that they are and are surprisingly easy to a hold of. Any previous incurance (of most any kind). Most credit of any kind. They will also show up on any credit report that you appear on even if it is requested by someone else that you may have shared credit with in the past. Many driver's license offices even if the number itself does not appear on the card. Any criminal records of any kind including many tickets. And with information sharing it is very difficult to control who has access to your info. Once someone knows your #, there is no way to reclaim the information or to prevent them from sharing it with anyone else.

Through totally innocent means the following people have my #: my husband, my ex-husband, my father, at least one of my brothers and several of my children. I have all of their #s as well. I also have my step-children's numbers and my dh's ex-wife. Of course that does not mean that you should just give that info out all willy nilly. :willy_nilly: Just be aware.