Skywise wrote in
:

Snipola
Damn...now I'm curious again. I'll have to see if I can
google anything up on this. It may all just be poppycock,
though.

Here's what I've found, some of which may have been stated
by others already.

Some gov't agencies can require your SSN *IF* required by
law.

All gov't agencies are required to provide a disclosure
statement stating how and why they are required by law
to have your SSN.

No gov't agency can deny you services for not providing
your SSN *unless* they are required to have it by law.
(see first point above) They may *think* they require it
but unless they can provide a disclosure statement as
required by law which states the law that requires them
to use it, they probably don't have a right to it. (see
point two above)

Private business cannot compel you to provide your SSN
unless the transaction involves notification of the IRS.

No law prevents private business from asking for your
SSN, and no law exists to prevent them from refusing to
do business with you for refusing to release your SSN.

It seems the only legal right any private business has with
your SSN is for tax purposes (such as your employer). Not
even insurers, creditors, or banks can *require* it. If
they insist on it, you are encouraged to complain to higher
levels as they may have policies to allow the use of an
alternate number that the peeons aren't aware of. If they
continue to insist, you are encouraged to take your business
elsewhere.

As always, there are the scattered exceptions to the rules,
and each state may have additional laws.

Information gleaned from:
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs10-ssn.htm

Brian
--
http://www.skywise711.com - Lasers, Seismology, Astronomy, Skepticism
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Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes?