By all means be careful with your SSN, however...
TELECOMMUNICATIONS DOES NOT REQUIRE SSN for trouble reporting!  We ask the
STUDENT to provide it for setting up Long distance billing ONLY.

Thank you,
Luis F. León 
Director of ITD:  Telecomm 
Univ. of TN @ Chattanooga 
423-425-5099 


-----Original Message-----
From: UTC Staff E-Mail List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Donna Adams
Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2004 12:09 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [UTCSTAFF] YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER/be careful

Reading the information about my new telephone I noticed that if you
report long distance call problem after 5:00 you fill out a form and
give your name and SSN.  Also to apply for an e-mail account you also
give your SSN on a form.  These simple forms should not require the
SSNs.



I realize this university still uses SSNs as ID (and this can easily
lead to identity theft) but I would not be inclined to put my SSN on
forms such as this.  Record keeping has always been an issue in
education and due to the lottery it will be more so, but many Tennessee
colleges and universities are pursuing other methods of tracking
information and I certainly wish we did.



Cashing your check at most universities requires you are asked to put
your SSN on it -  Don't give out your SSN unless you are convinced it is
required.  Make people show you why it is needed.  Don't put your SSN on
your checks, business cards or other identifying info.  Do not carry
your SSN card in your wallet.



Be certain the information on your Social Security Personal Earnings and
Benefit Estimate Statement is correct.  You should get one each year 3
months before your birthday.  Get a copy of your credit report each year
and make sure that everything is correct on your report.  If a private
business requests your SSN write N/A in the space.  If you do not
receive satisfaction from speaking to someone ask to see its policy of
requiring a SSN.  The business may allow you to use an alternate number
or you may have to take your business elsewhere.



Vanderbilt is working on a change, The University of the South stopped
using student SSNs internally several years ago.   Georgia's public
universities will soon stop using SSN as the primary way to track
students, (if they have not already).   I know that Georgia Tech was the
first state university to stop using SSNs of students, faculty and staff
on ID cards as the primary means of identifying them.  They are going to
use an alternate numbering system as identification.



Identity thieves can find confidential and sensitive information such as
bank accounts, credit cards, driving records, tax and employment
histories etc., but many universities still use SSN to track students
despite dangers.



There are agencies such as tax authorities, welfare office and state
Dept. of Motor Vehicles that can require your SSN as mandated by federal
law and others may request the SSN in such a manner that you are led to
believe you must provide it.  The Privacy Act of 1974 requires all
government agencies - local, state and federal that request SSNs to
provide a "disclosure" statement on the form.  This explains if you are
required to provide your SSN or if it is optional, how the SSN will be
used and under what statutory or authority the number is requested.
The Privacy Act states that you cannot be denied a government benefit or
service if you refuse to disclose your SSN unless the disclosure is
required by federal law or the disclosure is to be agency which has been
using SSNs previous to Jan. '75.  If you are asked to give your SSN to a
government agency and no disclosure statement is included on the form,
complain and cite the Privacy Act.  (although there are no penalties
when a government agency fails to provide a disclosure statement.



There is no law requiring you to give a private business your SSN but
also you might be refused the service.  There are few restrictions on
what businesses can do with it.  You can always ask an administrator to
make an exception or go some where else.



I would be careful also about providing your SSN over the internet.
Only reputable companies.  (Look for the closed padlock symbol on the
bottom of the page.)



Employee' do need your SSN to report earnings and payroll taxes, but
should not put SSN on documents that are viewed by other people.



Public schools, colleges and universities that ask for your SSN fall
within the provisions of Privacy Act of 1974 - This act requires schools
to provide a disclosure statement telling students how the SSN is used.
The student should look for the school's disclosure statement.  If one
is not offered, the student can file a complaint with the school, citing
the Privacy Act.   Publicly-funded schools must comply with FERPA.
FERPA requires written consent for release of records or information
such as SSN.  An argument can be made that if a school displays
students' SSNs on ID cards or class rosters or grade listings containing
SSNs it would be a release of personally ID information violating FERPA.
Many universities have not interpreted the law this way and continue to
use SSNs as student identifiers.



Social Security numbers on student IDs is a practice that has provided
easy access for identity thieves.  The number is so abused these days.
Just be careful who you give it to.  Maybe our university will change
its practice in the future.  I have read of horror stories from students
- at one university more than 100 students fell into the hands of
someone that opened credit accounts in their names.  It can be done.
Many schools and state governments are now considering changing the
practice of using SSNs.



Thanks

Donna