How Safe is Your Social Security Number?

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The first five numbers of your social security number can be accessed through Nexis-Lexis. Pretty easy. Therefore, if you give out your last four, anyone with access to Nexis-Lexis, a pay service, can put together your ENTIRE number.

adam of OH 11:45AM December 22, 2010

Wow, this guy was behind bars and still trying to go through his supply of stolen numbers. That's amazing, that sad part is your credit card information can be stolen when you least expect it. You never know what store employee or manager is on the take. It's really good to try to protect yourself as best you can. http://www.theftidentity.info

Ray of NC 6:37PM August 20, 2010

Criminals will find any way they can to rob our identity. The only thing to do is to be careful where and what you put your number on. When you have checks made DO NOT put your SS number on it. Also when you cash a check in a store, you do not need to put your number on the check, or your phone number. If you are asked for them you can deny their use but chances are they will not cash your check. Stores need to be reminded that these are not necessary for check cashing. they will not like it but ask them to ask their lawyers and they will cash them. I use my debit card and don't have to go thru the interrogation any more.

If you use your debit card, they will have all the info they need.

Carol Gacioch of NC 9:15AM July 20, 2009

How do we know if our SSN is being used?

jane of MN 3:05PM July 17, 2009

The original concept of SSN's was as a personal individual ID tax identification number, and was not to be used as a personal ID recognition set of digits to be freely used by anyone for open identification. The same was at one time true of a person's Driver's License. They were to be used for only one purpose, which the social invasion of businesses has come to abuse. If you quote the specific definition of this purpose by Law, you will now be refused all kinds of services legally due to you as an individual.

Thom Linnard of TX 3:54AM July 17, 2009

I heard lot of people rumors about ss number stolen from other countries and I don't want that happened etc . I am avoid from bad people who trying rip off ss numbers and they can find it in computer acess I am not invovled

randy dock of KS 2:35AM July 17, 2009

I did many times sometimes people use my ssn number etc and they are rubbish people rude to me as they want my ssn number. So I don't want get troublemaker for that its not funny games etc. I prefer in private nobody knows etc and so I know poeple are foolish play games with me before etc so I have to be careful with people can usesless etc so be careful with my situations ways etc I hope not accident careless etc

Randy Dock of KS 2:31AM July 17, 2009

How many people do you know who have been riped off, by there Social Security numbers. It's easy to get, we use it all the time, like are name. Don't worry, or keep all your money, in a box under your bed. also change your name, every year.

Fred shope Jr of FL 3:50PM July 16, 2009

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