Your social security number is one of the most valuable numbers to your financial security and identity thieves know this, so knowing when not to give it helps reduce the chances of thieves getting it.

The following instances do require your social security number:
Credit Applications
When applying for certain federal benefits
Cash transactions over $10,000
Military paperwork
The Department of Motor Vehicles (driver’s licenses)

However, if you are filling out a form at a doctor’s office, for instance, you can leave it blank and hope they don’t pursue it. If you are still asked for it, it is reasonable for you to inquire why they need it. They only legitimate reason should be that if you were to die in the doctors’ care he would be required to put it on your death certificate. In this case, if you have provided contact information for someone who can provide that information then you should not have to provide it. If they still insist you can either request to give it to the doctor directly or as a last resort, you can make up a number. To avoid using someone else’ number you should put double zeros in the place for two numbers, no social security number has that.

Unfortunately in the past year, I have spent too much time in a car provided by the dealership (loaner car) where I purchased my new car. The one thing I consistently notice is each time I get in it and lean over to put the rental agreement in the glove box I find the previous drivers did the same thing because their rental agreements are still there!

Rental agreements have your name, address, driver’s license number, date of birth, car insurance company & policy number on them? These are all things legitimately required by the dealership to legally allow you to drive their vehicle. Maybe you are thinking the dealership should clean those out and make sure the information is properly destroyed. Yes, that would be a good practice for dealerships but the bottom line is no one is as concerned about the safety of your identity as you are and this is a reminder to remain vigilant in protecting it.

If you are one of the last 4 people who drove the loaner I’m driving now, rejoice, I have pulled the rental agreements and will shred them on a shredder that we sell here at Brewer Company. Maybe I should take a shredder with me when I return this loaner and show them just how quickly and easily the information can be destroyed!

Company policies protect customer and company information on file but what is being done with the information no longer needed? Proper and immediate destruction is optimal although many companies rely on outside vendors to destroy such information. Be aware that once the information leaves your company the “chain of ownership” is broken. If that information is stolen, lost or not properly destroyed your company is still liable. Having a high quality shredder in house provides immediate destruction of information and keeps your good reputation polished.