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.

 

[cksh]

I am sure insurance places check your credit just to give them anothr reason to raise the rates of someone with a perfect driving record.

Most places in Michigan will base rates on credit scores. (some people do not know this) When I first moved out on my own (and was pretty free with the credit cards) I couldn't figure out why my rates were skyrocketing (with a perfect record and regular car)until I found out about the credit check. Found some places that did not check and switched companies. saved a lot of cash.

As others have said. employers are doing it now. Can't wait for the day when they fire you because of it

 

[duck0601]

Heckler

Yes, the US Military uses SSAN for identification, including on dog tags (at least as of my last issue).

 

[Senselessticker]

Melone,

Being a felon or not being a felon has nothing to do with being a good engineer. However, it has alot to do with how you check the y/n box that reads: "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?" Y____ N____

Without running the background check there is no way keep someone honest. And let's face it... How many convicted felons would lie about it on an application if they knew they would never get caught???

Additionally, being paranoid about handing out your SSN nowadays is pointless. If anyone really wants your info, they can get it. Just pay the few bucks per month to monitor your credit and forget about it... Or... go live in a cave...

 

[GregLocock]

What I find hilarious about this is that if you live in a small country, or in my case a small planet, your name is a unique identifier. Why is it so EVIL to give out an additional unique identifier that is in numerical instead of alphabetical format? They are all ones and zeros these days.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[melone]

If it's so easy to get the information, why do I need to provide it then?

 

[Heckler]

It's easy Greg there are people on this small planet that want an easy ride and if that means stealing your identity to make some financial gains they will do it. It pu tmy credit rating in the toilet to the point I couldn't even get a loan for a car.

Additionally, being paranoid about handing out your SSN nowadays is pointless. If anyone really wants your info, they can get it. Just pay the few bucks per month to monitor your credit and forget about it... Or... go live in a cave...

When I went through identity theft these types of protection mechanisms were not around....I had to put a credit hold upon personal notification with the credit holding agencies.

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.

 

[GregLocock]

And I thought engineers were logical...

I'll try again:

1 This is my name: (arbitrary unique alphabetical sequence)

2 This is my SSN: (arbitrary unique numerical sequence)

Why is it 'safer' to tell all and sundry (1) rather than (2) ?

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[Heckler]

Sorry Greg I must have missed your point.....I don't speak or read Australian

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.

 

[Lion06]

I think one big difference is that you can't get credit with only my name unless you have my SSN.
It's been a while since I got a new credit card, but I think that is an accurate statement.

 

[Senselessticker]

I'm sorry, I think this is all kind of funny... If you don't want to provide your SSN on an application, then just don't... I'm sure the potential employer will be able to find someone else who will be less likely to "cause trouble" over issues that don't matter.

And again, I would be afraid to go to work for a company who did not have strict policy in place to check my criminal background and run my credit BEFORE making me an offer. Mom and Pop type of companies surely don't need to, but any company playing ball with the big boys will certain need such a policy as a means to protect itself.

Ever heard of corporate espionage? There are con's all over the place who are for hire to the highest bidder in the dark world of cat and mouse corporate espionage... Wanna bet if many of these guys have a record??

 

[melone]

Is anyone else disturbed with the big brother mentality?

 

[IRstuff]

The flip side is that companies wouldn't need to do checks if people didn't lie.

There was the recent case of a beloved MIT adminstrator who was fired after decades on the job, for lying on her original job application. Clearly, companies didn't check as thoroughly before, and they got burned, and they now check. That was Reagan's famous line, "Trust, but verify."

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[ewh]

Greg,
I don't think a name such as "John Smith" could really be considered a unique identifier.

 

[HgTX]

Mother's maiden name is another one that may even unlock more doors than the SSN, and is even more readily available.

Having grown up in the era when SSN was used as student ID, I'm not too paranoid about it (barn door, horse, etc.), but I refuse to just hand over information that someone has no right to, just because they asked me for it. (Back when I still wrote checks, the grocery store didn't get to have my SSN either.)

This is roughly (except for the identity theft issues) along the lines of an employer asking in an interview about age and marital status. Legally, they can't ask that. But what happens when they do? Is there any politically safe way to maintain one's rights? Is there any point in even *having* rights if they can't be enforced? If they can't, do they really exist?

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[ctopher]

Some more info...

http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs10a-SSNFAQ.htm

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

 

[Senselessticker]

If you really think your "rights" are being violated because a company wants to "check you out" then I encourage you to go try your luck elsewhere; where sex, age, marital status, religous belief, sir name, ethic background, sexual orientation, and the color of your shirt are not only factors in what kind of job you have, but also dictate what kind of LIFE you get to have...

I am truly amazed that so many in this forum have issue with a potential employer checking your background. Doing so actually protects you a thousand times over more than it could ever hurt you.

 

[Lion06]

senselessticker-
I would expect the company to check me out AFTER they have made a formal offer of employment, not as a part of their pre-interview screening process.

 

[ctopher]

Senselessticker,
For me it has nothing to do with my rights being violated, just being cautious. These days we have to be.
My current employer (a major aerospace firm) understood this and told me they need employees that are cautious about security.

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

 

[melone]

Let's not dilude ourselves.... Companies perform background checks for their own benefit, not the prospective employee.