There is no law that prevents businesses from asking for your SSN. And you may be denied service if you don’t give the number. If giving your SSN to a business doesn’t seem reasonable to you, ask if you can show another form of identification.

When did it become mandatory to have a Social Security number?

November 6, 1936
In the end, the Board got it both ways—the Post Office Department agreed to accept returned SS -5s without postage on October 8, 1936, and the Treasury Department issued the regulations making the SSN mandatory on November 6, 1936 (McKinley and Frase 1970, 351–352 and 360).

What legal documents have your Social Security number on them?

A Social Security card is legal proof of a Social Security number.

Who has the right to ask for a Social Security number?

Who has the right to request your SSN? Federal law mandates that state Departments of Motor Vehicles, tax authorities, welfare offices, and other governmental agencies request your SS number as proof that you are who you claim to be.

How do you stop someone from using your Social Security number?

It’s a one-stop resource managed by the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency. If you believe someone is using your Social Security number to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes, contact the IRS online or call 1-800-908-4490.

Are there laws on the use of Social Security numbers?

These federal laws provide a patchwork of regulation, but there is no one law that governs the use of SSNs. Because the laws governing the use of SSNs focus on specific uses by governmental agencies, SSNs have been used extensively to identify individuals by businesses and other organizations and agencies.

Who can lawfully request my Social Security number?

Federal law mandates that state Departments of Motor Vehicles, tax authorities, welfare offices, and other governmental agencies request your SS number as proof that you are who you claim to be. However, the Privacy Act of 1974 requires that government agencies at the local, state,…

Who is required to disclose social security number in Texas?

The Texas law applies to any person who requires that an individual disclose his or her SSN in order to obtain goods or services from, or enter into a business transaction with, the person. Based on the focus in these two laws on “consumers,” it is not clear if either the New Mexico or Texas law applies to employees or to vendors.

How old do you have to be to get a Social Security card?

How to Get a Social Security Number (SSN) There are two ways that you can get a social security number and card: 1. If you are age 18 or older, you can apply for a social security number in your home country when you apply for an immigrant visa with the U.S. Department of State.