5 Places Where You Should Never Give Your Social Security Number: Your Expert Guide

Evelyn Sanderson - August 23, 2024

A Social Security Number is one of the most important numbers that an American is assigned. These numbers verify your identity, help you obtain employment, and even make sure you can collect your Social Security retirement benefits.

While SSNs are important, it seems like everyone is trying to run an SSN search everywhere you go. Whether you’re applying for a job or signing up for a new credit account, one of the first things someone will ask for is your SSN. Unfortunately, many grifters, scammers, and even places that don’t need your SSN will try and get it from you, and this is problematic for your identity.

The good news is that we’re here to help. We show you 5 places where you should never give your Social Security number. Read on to learn everything you need to know below.

What Is a Social Security Number?

A Social Security number (SSN) is an important nine-digit number that you’re assigned at birth if you’re born in the United States. These numbers are also given to people who migrate to the United States as well after citizenship is earned. What makes this number important is what it’s tied to. These numbers are issued by the Social Security Administration.

SSNs are split into three main groups, which is where the dashes come into play. The first three numbers are an area number, the middle two are group numbers, and the last four digits are the serial number; this is why many banks and other institutions require the last four digits of your social.

What Is a Social Security Number Used For?

To know when you should and shouldn’t provide your Social Security number, it’s important to know what SSNs are used for. 

Typically, SSNs are used to track someone’s income for Social Security benefits that include things like Social Security payments at retirement age and disability.

For this reason, SSNs are highly personalized and important numbers to keep private. This is why banks, employers, and other organizations request information about your SSN. The government and other agencies may also request information about this number to make sure you are who you claim to be.

Social Security Numbers are also used for tax purposes, credit, and general banking.

5 Places Where You Should Never Give Your Social Security Number 

There are places where you should give your Social Security Number and places where you should avoid giving this number. In fact, alarming statistics from the Bureau of Justice Statistics found that almost 10% of Americans over the age of 16 have been a victim of identity theft. As more companies have data breaches, this number is likely to rise.

We cover five places you should avoid giving your SSN below.

1. People Who Send You an Official Looking Email or Text Message 

First and foremost, you should never give your SSN to someone over email or text message, even if it looks convincing. It doesn’t matter how official an email or text message sounds, it’s never official enough to provide your SSN. The only time you should give your SSN to anyone who’s contacting you is if it’s someone you trust or through paperwork in person.

This also applies to jobs that text or email you asking for this information. Most employers won’t do so over text or email, especially if you haven’t spoken with them before. Charities, loyalty programs, and airlines also don’t need your SSN, even if the text message or email looks like it’s coming from a legitimate source. 

2. Public School 

Schools don’t need your Social Security number. Sure, a college might need your SSN to match it with a payment plan, but public schools don’t need your SSN; there’s no need for you to give it to them. Even if the school claims that they need an SSN to verify your identity or for contact records, this isn’t the case. 

You can provide them with your email, address, and driver’s license if they need ID. Most public schools won’t ask you in a malicious way, so never provide your SSN to anyone claiming to be from your public school through email or text. 

3. Job Applications

Believe it or not, job applications are one of the worst places to provide your SSN. The initial application should be a time when employers collect some of your information to verify who you are and make sure you’re a good fit. At this point in the application process, you shouldn’t have to provide your SSN.

The only time you should provide your SSN is if you’re going through a background check or the onboarding process. This process tends to happen after the initial interviews and applications, so make sure you wait until then to give up any personal information.

4. Doctor’s Offices 

This applies to all types of doctors. You don’t need to give your SSN to hospital staff, your dentist, or the local walk-in clinic. All you need to provide your doctor is an insurance card and your ID. Other information isn’t necessary, so keep this in mind if they try and get your social.

Aside from doctor’s offices, other medical facilities also don’t need your SSN.

5. Sports Clubs and Camps 

It doesn’t matter if you’re signing your child up for a baseball program for school or trying to get into your local country club, you don’t need to give them your SSN. The only information these organizations or programs should need includes information about your child, like their name and ID, or the same information about you. 

This applies to all types of camps, clubs, and groups that you can join. While there may be some exceptions, they’ll make it known in person and with the proper paperwork – never through email.

How to Protect Your Identity 

There are a few ways you can protect your identity. We have a few tips you can implement into your life to keep your identity secure, even if someone has access to your personal information. Learn more about how you can protect your identity below.

Check Your Public Records 

To make sure there’s nothing wrong with your records we recommend starting with our public records search tool. It’s a simple tool you can use by entering your name, city, and state. From there, our public records search tool will comb through millions of public records databases to compile a comprehensive full report. 

Within this full report, you can find information including:

• Date of birth 
• Address 
• Contact information 
• Dating profiles 
• Social media accounts 
• Relatives 
• Property ownership and assets 
• Financial records 
• Criminal records
• Court records 
• Sex offender status 

This is only the tip of the iceberg, you can find even more information depending on your background. For example, if you went to several universities and worked several jobs, records about your education and employment may appear in your records.

If you notice anything wrong with these records, you can take action to reach out to appropriate agencies to fix them.

Monitor Your Credit Report 

The biggest problem with identity theft is credit card fraud. People will use a Social Security number to open lines of credit under someone else’s name. 

When they do this, they get the credit card and you get hit with the drop in score. Monitor your credit score and information at all three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian) to prevent problems. 

If you do notice fraud, you can freeze your credit with all three bureaus and visit myssn to monitor your Social Security number. 

Receive a PIN from the IRS 

If your SSN is compromised you can also receive a PIN from the IRS to file taxes. You can register at irs.gov and create an account to receive a PIN each year. 

In order to file your taxes you’ll need this pin, and without it, taxes can’t be filed and returns can’t be processed. If you believe that someone filed taxes on your behalf, reach out to the IRS to resolve the issue promptly.

Keep Your Identity Safe 

Your Social Security number is something you have to protect at all costs. Whether you’re applying for a new job or answering an email, writing your SSN in the wrong place can result in your identity being compromised. 

That said, many employers may require an SSN trace before hiring an applicant, so it’s important to vet employers before you provide this information. In fact, this applies to any situation or anyone who is asking for your Social Security Number.

Always do your best to safeguard this number to keep your identity safe and secure.