Scam Alert: Places You Should Never Hand Over Your Social Security Number

Summary:

• Your Social Security number is crucial and should not be shared at retail stores, online forms, or with unverified callers.

• Be cautious of providing your SSN to random online requests, unverified phone callers, or during job applications.

• Do not disclose your SSN to strangers on social media, for prize claims, or when using public Wi-Fi or shared devices.

Your Social Security number is not just any key of information but it is the key to your financial identity. When it is out there it is very difficult to retract. Identity thieves know that. Scammers know that. And, this is one thing that is requested by some legitimate businesses, which they do not really require.The following are areas where you nearly do not want to disclose your Social Security number:

Retail Stores

 

Your Social Security number does not grant you access to a regular purchase in any store. Your SSN will not be necessary when you are registering your rewards program or even making a refund. There is an exception of some store credit card applications though you must be careful to ensure that you are dealing with the official issuer.

Forms Not Initiated By You Online

 

In case you get a random email or a text asking you to verify your SSN, it is nearly called a scam. Official bodies will never use unsolicited online communications to ask you to provide your entire Social Security number.

Unverified Callers On The Phone

 

When a person calls stating he/she works in the IRS, in your bank, or in Social Security and requests your SSN, then hang up. The scammers fake numbers in order to appear official. Do call back on the numbers that are provided on the official web site of the company.

Job Application Which Is Not An Official Offer

 

Although your SSN might be required by the employer to do some tax paperwork, it usually occurs after an official job offer. When the application that would be required at an initial stage requires it initially, it is best to be cautious and make sure that the employer is actually a legitimate one.

Hospitals Prior to Provision of Medical Services

 

Most healthcare providers request SSNs but in the majority of cases it is not obligatory. Information on insurance is normally adequate. Inquire whether one can use some other identifier.

Advertisements Of Rentals That You Have Not Checked

 

You can be asked to complete background check when applying to rent an apartment but never give your SSN without first ascertaining the real identity of the property and landlord. False information is frequently applied on rental scams, where the listing is a fabricated one trying to gather personal information.

Social Media/Dating Platform

 

You do not require anything like your Social Security number on any respectable social or dating site. Any demand on it must be regarded as a big warning signal.

Sweepstakes Or Prize Claims

 

When you win something and are requested to leave it to claim it by giving your SSN stop where you are. There are no legitimate contests that collect Social Security Numbers in advance, certainly not by unsolicited communication.

Public Wi-Fi Connections/Shared Devices

 

You should never type your SSN when on any public Wi-Fi unless that site is secure and encrypted and you have full trust in it. Even then, it’s best avoided. Users of shared computers are at risk of theft of data.