Identity Theft

I just saw a funny article on Yahoo News from the Associated Press. Here is the link.

The article points out an interesting contradiction between Federal Agencies.

My own summary and additions follow:

According to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission): “Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier”. Click here to view.

But guess what? Here is a picture of the front of a Medicare Card. One of the elements is the Medicare claim number. This number is almost always the beneficiary’s Social Security number, plus an Alpha suffix. Sometimes, it may be the beneficiary’s spouse's SSN, if the beneficiary is only entitled because of their spouse.




But here is the kicker. On the back of the card it says “Carry this card with you when you are away from home.



The IRS requires that you write your SSN on any check that you send them. Here is a picture of a 2008 form 1040 ES. Notice that it says “Write your social security number and “2008 Form 1040-ES” on your check or money order”.



Good stuff. I love the excuses given by the bureaucrats as to why they cannot change the system so that they stop using and requiring SSNs.