SS # Disclosure 7

[NCAASwimmer]

I am confused. Is it right not to disclose your ss# on a employee application prior to an interview or a job offer? According to Federal Law it is voluntary. I have never had an application ask for my ss#. Up until now the only time I needed to write my SS# was after I was hired. I was born in the US, have never had debts/loans and I actually own 'everything' I have accumulated in my short life (thank you employer salary ). Most of us are taught growing up not to 'jump off a bridge just because someone is doing it' (some listen and apply it). Just because a college teammate or dorm mate you just met and have to be around for 4 years smokes cigarettes, doesn't mean you have to do it to fit in and have a good 4 years around them in the frat house or on the team. With all the types of employers that have employees (techs to managers) losing data and electronic equipment it doesn't seem that secure to become careless with your private data, freely handing out information to a company that has not offered you a position. HR may may not be aware, engineering departments have projects where they can't disclose certain company information to people on the project or in forms and reports. Thank you for your help.

 

[KENAT]

Zdas, I was aware of that, thanks. My point was SSN is just one piece of information that probably isn't needed until you're at least given a firm offer if not until you've actually started.

The background check is a good example of when they'd need it before you start but not necessarily before you get a conditional offer.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[ctopher]

The company can run the felony check after you are hired. If you are not a felon, nothing to worry about; if you are felon, you're fired. The SSN is not required for hire, although some companies will tell you otherwise. It's no big deal to give it to them, just don't send it over the net or in the mail...call them. If they want it in email, send it encrypted.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 1.1
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-07-07)
ctopher's blog

 

[SomptingGuy]

Sounds a bit like being questioned for a driving (drivers) license by the police. If you don't drive and therefore don't have one on you, you are guilty.

 

[ewh]

You mean our new national ID card?

 

[KENAT]

ctopher, thanks for the clarification. This is how it worked in UK defense but the US seems to take it to another level so I thought they'd need it before they even let you in the building;-).

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[SomptingGuy]

ewh, It's been a while since I lived over there... Didn't know about a USA ID card. Do tell. We're being threatened with one here in the UK, only it'll cost us to have one!

 

[Gymmeh]

It cost us over here (US) to have an ID with all the nifty $hi7 on it.

SG, O you didnt get the memo? they changed the rules so now your guilty until proven otherwise.

 

[csd72]

Somptingguy,

There is nothing more 'un-american' than not driving.

 

[msquared48]

csd72...

Are you suggesting that we should all play golf?

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

 

[ewh]

SG,
The powers that be pushed thru some drivers license legislation directly imposes prescriptive federal driver’s license standards. "A Federal agency may not accept, for any official purpose, a driver's license or identification card issued by a state to any person unless the state is meeting the requirements" specified in the Real ID Act.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_ID_Act

Sounds like a national ID card to me!

 

[melone]

Senselessticker, what does being a felon have to do with a good engineer?

 

[KENAT]

Ok, more was deleted than I'd anticipated.

On the front of the SSN do you think we the public should be more active in pushing for it to be treated with more sensitivity?

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[Heckler]

If you want to delay that disclosure until after you are hired, then you certainly have that right, BUT that move is guaranteed to raise a fair number of red flags and I sure wouldn't hire you.

I would not want your job if you made that an issue. Nobody but you is going to safe guard your identity. You would have a different opinion if you went through a theft of your identity.....knowing someone out there was opening up accounts and charging expenses under your good name.

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 4.0 & Pro/E 2001
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

This post contains no political overtones or undertones for that matter and in no way represents the poster's political agenda.

 

[IRstuff]

The problem is really considerably bigger, since the whole issue of some sort of national identity card raises hackles all around, and there is, as yet, no means of permanently and uniquely identifying that you are you.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[mshimko]

We, as a society, are extremely inconsistent in that we have conflictings goals; one being maintaining a person's private and personal information, the other being to verify a person is who they claim to be.

In a really extreme but real situation that impacts many, active duty members of the military all but have the SSN tatoo'd on their forehead for all to see.

This is because our SSN is also our "serial number" (for those with long memories). To make matters worse, congress passed the "Privacy Act" which is intended to help protect personal information, yet the end resulty of this "privacy act" is every time you sign your name on a form, you must ALSO fill out and sign a "Privacy Act Statement", where you acknowledge you are aware of the Privacy Act.....and you MUST put your SSN on the Privacy Act Statement! ALso, anytime you use a check to pay for anything in a military facility, you must include your SSN. When I was active duty, I had my SSN pre-printed on every check!

Talk about a bunch of BS!

Almost the same thing, however, exists at many universities, where your student ID IS your SSN.

OK, back on topic: I think it routine for companies to require or request your SSN as part of your employment application, but I also think it is OK for one to leave it blank, or insert "will be provided upon hiring".

 

[Lion06]

I was just told last night that I couldn't get an auto insurance quote for refusing to give the operator my SSN. I said, "Thanks, but I don't give that information out". Not for a quote anyway.

 

[ewh]

That's because rates are partially based on credit rating.

 

[Lion06]

That's fine. I can understand that. I would think, however, that they could give me a quote based on what I tell them my credit is (or some generic score that they feel is average) obviously to be confirmed with actually checking my credit if I decide their quote is competitive.
I don't want to give out that information like candy just to find out they want to charge me twice what I'm already paying.

 

[SomptingGuy]

Err, why would/should a credit rating affect an insurance quote? Surely it should be a claim rating. I never understood Mercun financials.

 

[Heckler]

In a really extreme but real situation that impacts many, active duty members of the military all but have the SSN tatoo'd on their forehead for all to see.

I forgot my dog tags have my SSN# number on them....Do they still put the SSN# on them?

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 4.0 & Pro/E 2001
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

This post contains no political overtones or undertones for that matter and in no way represents the poster's political agenda.