in-the-wallet
US Government Mixed Messages on Social Security Number Use
An Associated Press article out today makes a good point about the government’s mixed messages on social security number uses. For all the good work the Federal Trade Commission has done on identity theft awareness and prevention, other government agencies aren’t helping us follow the FTC’s advice. Among some of the contradictory advice, while the FTC tells us to guard our social security number carefully and not keep it in our wallet. However, the article cites the fact that Medicare insurance cards (44 million of them) include the individual’s social security number.
Some legislators have caught on to the problem and are trying to push through changes. In the meantime, be as careful as you can with your SSN and check your credit report throughout the year to make sure your identity really is yours.
