Who Wants to Steal Your Identity?
To my surprise, that was not enough for this business. I was asked for my Social Security Number. I explained that my Social Security Number was private AND unnecessary since I had already included my drivers license number.
The man behind the counter informed me the electronic check system, TeleCheck, required my Social Security Number in order to process my check.
I declined his request and made a quick run to my bank for cash. I asked the teller about check systems requiring a Social Security Number. She assured me there should be no need for my Social Security Number. Could this really be about identity theft in our tiny little area?
Upon returning home, I did a quick internet search for TeleChecks website. I found this information in their FAQ:
Number 4 of their FAQ said they might need my Social Security Number, if I were referred by a financial institution.
Since I was not buying a house or car, merely a couple hundred dollars worth of car parts, I don't think I fall into category number 4. My suspicions of identity theft continued to grow.
I sent an e-mail to TeleCheck Customer Service and received a response from Ilcia Love telling me to contact TeleCheck at (1800) 835-3243 and choose option 1, option 1, option 4 and option 1. I had no need for the last option 1. Dawn, a TeleCheck representative answered after I entered option 4. She was very helpful and recommended I check further to see if this "junkyard" had a corporate office. She further informed me that some states still use a Social Security Number on their drivers license. So TeleCheck will accept a Social Security Number to run a check but it is not required, She told me that any state issued drivers license or I.D. card is acceptable. Further, she was quick to point out that it says right on the Social Security Card that it is not a verifiable form of identification.
Digging deeper I found that the Federal Trade Commission advises us never to write our Social Security Number on a check.
AC Producer Mary Kirkland has some great tips to protect yourself from identity theft.
The Social Security Administration offers excellent information at their site.
I suspect this situation might fall into this description offered by the Social Security Administration in Publication 10064 I quote:
"Buying personal information from "inside" sources. For example, an identity thief may pay a store employee for information about you that appears on an application for goods, services or credit."
If you find someone is using your Social Security Number for credit, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission and file a complaint by following this link or you can contact them by telephone:
Telephone- 1-877-438-4338
TTY- 1-866-653-4261
I find it extremely difficult to believe that anyone would want to be me, except me. Yet increasingly, I receive e-mails from Nigeria, contest winnings for contests that I did not enter, get rich quick schemes, and the list continues to grow daily. Maybe they could do a better job of being me than I can. But, I think I'll keep me.
In conclusion protect yourself from identity theft, the junkyard dogs and anyone else who wants to be you. Guard you personal information carefully.
Published by Phyllis Cunningham
I am a wife, mother, grandmother and lover of life in S.W. Missouri. I love to write family humor and consider my writing as "Bombeckish". I hope to someday compile my memoirs into an Erma Bombeck style book. View profile
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11 Comments
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Thanks for the great article. I will remember that if anyone says I need my social security number on a check or any other document for that matter.
That Check Systems is a real pain. My husband has one in operation at the gas station he manages and it breaks down so often he absolutely hates it.
This is something that everyone should be aware of. Identity theft seems to be on the rise.
I was the victim of identity theft some years back. I know who did it, but this person has so much money and influence that he was able to buy the people necessary to refuse to prosecute him. Since then, I carry no gas or credit cards, and only write checks for my rent and payments via mail. I think it's time that the states still using your SSN as a license number stop the practice.
This is a VERY helpful article. I'm glad to know my social security number isn't required as I would not feel comfortable giving out that information. Thanks for covering this topic so well, Phyllis.
Great article and don't you hate those typos that are discovered AFTER publication!!!!
Good tips and great background/research info!!!
ana star, Thanks for the catch. Unfortunately once it's published, it's out of my hands for editing. "you/your" is my most common typo.
I found a misspell at the last phrase: Guard "you"(your) personal information carefully. great info though...glad I read it!
Thanks E.L and Lost dreams.
They moved our digg into that tiny scrolling "Click to Share" bar
Excellent information!! Thanks for providing it!! With all of the possibilities for things like this to take place now, each of us needs to be vigilant and not give out "too much" information on ourselves. Thanks for the reminder!!