Protect Your Identity

Minimize Risk; be very careful about giving out your SSN.

Many people think they have to provide their SSN to creditors or government entities that ask for it. But this isn’t always true—in some cases, you don’t have to reveal it.

Ask Questions before deciding whether to give out your SSN number:

Why do you need my number?

How will my number be used?

What law requires me to give you my number?

What will happen if I don’t give you my number?

Can I give you an identifier other than my SSN, or just the last four digits of my SSN?

Can my account be set up so that I can use an identifier other than my SSN (for example, a combination of letters from my last name and numbers)?

Sometimes businesses have a legitimate reason to ask for your number (for example, when you apply for credit), but, in other cases, they simply want it for general record keeping. You don’t have to give a business your SSN just because they request it.

In most cases established financial companies such as; debt consolidation, debt settlement, debt reduction and consumer credit counseling companies will require your social security number in order to begin negotiations with your creditors and to also provide proof that they are in fact representing you!