I heard on the news that your identity can be used and there is somekind of shadow record for the person using your identity. Apparently it's nearly impossible for a consumer to find out who and how their identity has been used. Only credit companies, I think, and the gov. have access to ALL the files associated with a certain social security number. I think that they said that it would be an invasion of privacy for you to see the other person's records EVEN if it is on your social security number. CRAZY Huh?! it's true too! (*_*)\n\nAnyone know the details?
214326
It's very scary... *hides under blankets*
38353
What are you doing, trying to steal somebody's identity?\n\nIf you can't recall or find a record of your previous address, you've got problems.
197938
Credit reports are not as accurate as you seem to think they are.  You can't conclude that the other person you found with that mortgage actually reported the same SSN as yours.  Or, if he or she did, they just chose your number because they needed one.  That's something you would need to take care of, and have corrected: identity theft!  Not easy to correct.\n\nBut the government does not assign the same number to multiple people.  As they explain on their website, they will not even reassign someone's number after they die.
653716
Oh, well I would imagine it would then depend on what the document does or what you are doing with that document. I am pretty sure that creating a list of peoples names in of itself is not a problem especially without attaching anything that is actually "identifying", such as SSN, address, date of birth, account numbers, etc. Another issue would then be also whether the document that the names are on would be derogatory or harmful to anyone in someway and how much that harm would cause to a person. (If it's a minor insult versus a major embarrassment, the victim would be less likely to do anything about it). If you are using the document to indicate the person who's name is listed is granting some sort of approval or support, that could open up various fraud issues, etc.
150756
The government gives you new names, new SSI numbers, a new address in another part of the country, new jobs, everything. All ties to your former life are severed and you start a whole new life. The only way you can be found is if you are recognized by someone. The only records of what happened to the former you are held by the FBI
507276
Contrary to what most people think, social security numbers are not super-secret information. Collection agencies, lawyers, and others have access to tools that can be used to locate you based on just a name and address, and can get your social security number quite easily. Instead of ignoring them, write a letter to the agency asking for proof of the alleged debt. Under law they have to provide this "validation". If they then provide the proof, you had best pay it unless you dispute the charges, otherwise you can bet it will pop up on your credit report. Even a small $20 collection can be very damaging to you for a full seven years, so my advice would be to just pay it.
130964
Some of you people relly amaze me.  Your identity is the only real thing that you have.  I have worked too hard for some idiot trying to make a quick buck or an illegal trying to get legitmacy using my name to take this as some that just happens.  That is BS.  As far as taking kids id's, these kids will have a hard time in the future when they are applying for college or a loan and they can't prove that they are truly who they say they are.\n\nStop making excuses or putting your heads in the sand, because your head may be in the sand, but your ass is going to be trying to get out of jail because someone with your id just committed a crime.
577229
Many other countries already have them and they work very well for some things and not so hot for others.  They will help track people from one central database.  Using your SS card is a big mistake since it is tied to credit reporting and social security benefits.  A new and unique numbering system needs to be created.  Also, the SS card does not have identification components such a as pictures of fingerprints, which a national ID card should.  \n\nLet's be honest though, there will never be a thing as a "unforgable" id card.  It's supply and demand, someone will start working of fake ones the minutes someone else is willing to pay for it.  But we can make them as hard as possible to fake.
233719
You, personally can't find this out. It is confidential. If the person is suspected of fraud, you should report it to the agency, and let them handle it from there.
328496
I heard that in Australia and US (I think, 2 countries that use ID cards anyway) there is a much higher rate of identity theft, because all someone would need to steal your identity is one card instead of having to go through loads of bills etc. to get all your details. I think it's the most stupid idea and you'll probably end up having to have an ID card to prove who you are in order to get an ID card, or you'll need a passport, driving licence or some other such thing that not everybody has.\n\nThen again if they introduced them and someone stole the identity of someone like the prime minister and got all his money then they'd just see how silly an idea it was.
95627
Date of birth is not too hard to get, but social security numbers are supposed to be private.  Why do you need it?  Are you up to no good?  Did you know that Yahoo records IP's in case of illegal activity?
97249
Even worse, they steal our ss#.  I have a friend who just found out that his ss# was stolen - the IRS audited him and wanted back taxes for a job he never worked over in AK.  We live in Texas.  After much  investigaion - he has found out that an illegal alien got ahold of his ss# and has had several jobs in the US - all pretending to be my friend.  He has both the Texas and AK DA's investigating.
443423
No. They only use the information for their use.  It is against the law to give that information to anyone else because you have not signed a consent.
159743
Sorry but it is not against the law. Did you sign any paper that made it legal i.e. an i.o.u.? If you did and have chosen not to work things out with the person you owe money then they have a right to either take you to small claims court or hire a collection agency to recover their money. In either case, it would get reported to the credit bureaus. Think about it this way, if the person hadn't done that and the background check had passed then you would have never known that other people are illegally using your social security number. The person did you a favor in a weird sort of way.
626602
yes very much so...\nbut your information is out there.. it probably isn't coming from your school... but there are plenty of other places where they can get your stuff.. esp once you graduate and apply for college and student loans and all that stuff. if you've ever put your ssn and addy on anything other than official records one company got it..and it's all over now. welcome to being an adult. it's not fun. it's a viscious cycle and will never end.. good news is:\n\nyou can opt out of credit card offers via website..lemme find that link for ya.\nhttps://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t
291629
It's for tax identification purposes for the IRS.  It can also be used with a drivers license to satisfy the I-9 form, which proves you can legally work in the United States.  Normally, on a criminal background check they use your Date of Birth and drivers license to identify you as the person with or without a record, not your social security number
591468
The original purpose of this number was to administer the Social Security program, but it has come to be used also as a "primary key" (national ID number) for individuals within the United States. Payroll, university student records, credit records, and driver's licenses are sometimes indexed by Social Security number. The U.S. military has used the Social Security number as an identification number for all service members since 1969. As a result, disclosure and processing of these numbers is of major concern to many citizens and privacy advocates.\n\nSince the Social Security Number also doubles as national ID number, some people unfamiliar with the US system may mistake the word "security" in the name to mean "national security". It is far from the truth. The word "security" in "Social Security" refers to the financial security of retired persons.