Social Security: Government and Commercial Use of the Social Security Number Is211 Widespread

摘要

The Social Security number (SSN) was created in 1936 as a means of tracking211u001eworkers' earnings and eligibility for Social Security benefits. For a number of 211u001ereasons, most Americans have an SSN each of which is unique to the individual. 211u001eToday, the SSN is used for a myriad of non-Social Security purposes, some legal 211u001eand some illegal. Both private businesses and government agencies frequently ask 211u001eindividuals for SSNs in order to comply with federal laws requiring these numbers 211u001eor because these entities need the SSNs to conduct their businesses. Responding 211u001eto public concerns about how organizations use SSNs and mounting occurrences of 211u001eidentity theft, sometimes involving misuse of SSNs, several members of the 211u001eCongress have introduced bills to regulate the use of SSNs. To obtain information 211u001eon how the SSN is currently used, the Subcommittee asked us to describe federal 211u001elaws and regulations requiring or restricting SSN use, how extensively the 211u001eprivate and public sectors use SSNs for purposes not required by federal law, and 211u001ewhat businesses and governments believe the impact would be if federal laws 211u001elimiting the use of SSNs were passed.