Here are a couple of interesting articles to do with privacy and protecting yourself from identity theft. After reading these, and feeling virtuous for not carrying my social security card, I had a thought and went through my wallet. No less than four other cards used my SSN as my ID. So I've removed them and will request that each of these accounts give me a unique account number not tied to my SSN.

Too many carry Social Security cards

NEW YORK, NY, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- An American Express study found U.S. consumers have a lot to learn about how to protect themselves against identity theft.

While 77 percent of those who participated said they take precautions to secure their personal financial information, but nearly half still make the mistake of carrying their Social Security numbers in their wallet, American Express officials said in a statement.

Experts warn that Social Security numbers are the ultimate prize for criminals.

One consumer had a $32,000 truck, a pricey apartment and a cell phone charged in her name without even having her wallet stolen -- a thief stole her personal information from a real estate application and racked up $50,000 in debt.

(follow the link for the rest)

Safeguard your Social Security number

Protect yourself from identity theft by keeping a tight rein on your Social Security number. Only a few organizations have the right to demand it. Here's how to fend off the rest.

"I think it's spooky. Everybody has that one number, and everything about you is tied to it," worries Jim Edwards, program director at WJNO in West Palm Beach, Fla.

"Put it in a computer and poof -- here's your bank account, your phone number, where you work."

The key to all that private information? Your Social Security number.

Edwards was way ahead of most people. Back in the early '80s, he refused to give his Social Security number when he enrolled at Miami Dade Community College. The school wanted to use it as a student identification number, but Edwards held his ground and the school gave him a different number -- all zeros, as he recalls.

Today, schools, phone companies, utilities, health clubs, insurance companies, video stores -- just about everybody wants your Social Security number. Some of the more prevalent uses are to get your credit rating and determine whether you pay your bills, and to keep track of you through name and address changes.

[snip]

Who has the right to ask for your digits?

While any business can ask for your Social Security number, there are very few entities that can actually demand it -- motor vehicle departments, tax departments and welfare departments, for example. Also, SSNs are required for transactions involving taxes, so that means banks, brokerages, employers, and the like also have a legitimate need for your SSN.

Most other businesses have no legal right to demand your number.

"There is no law prohibiting a business from asking for your Social Security number, but people don't know they can say no," says Carolyn Cheezum of the Social Security Administration.

(follow the link for the rest)

SRS