The best way to prevent your personal information from being misused is to not share it. Not sharing your personal information but expecting to be able to interact with other people, businesses, etc., is not realistic, and, in some cases, you will be refused access to establishments or services by withholding that information. There aren’t many legal requirements that require you to provide sensitive personal information, such as your Social Security or driver’s license number. However, there are common practices that some establishments will follow that require access to your Social Security number (SSN) or driver’s license. Please note that the list below is not complete and will be updated to answer the most commonly asked questions of the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC).
- Depending on the state you live in, you will need to share your driver’s license number and information when you are in a car accident (you do not need to allow a picture of your license to be taken; you can show your driver’s license and read off the driver’s license number).
- To provide proof of your age or date of birth.
- To provide proof of identity (in place of other acceptable documentation) when entering a federal facility.
- It is common for rental companies, hotels, car dealerships and security officers at secured buildings to ask to see a driver’s license.
- The Social Security Act allows state agencies to use SSNs to identify individuals for state taxes, general public assistance, issuing a driver’s license or motor vehicle registration, issuing birth certificates and enforcing child support orders.
- The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse has a helpful article on the use of SSNs and another article about when businesses are allowed to ask for your SSN.
- Per the Social Security Administration, “Anyone can refuse to disclose his or her number, but the requester can refuse its services if you do not give it. Businesses, banks, schools, private agencies, etc., are free to request someone’s number and use it for any purpose that does not violate a federal or state law.”
In any transaction that involves sharing your Social Security or driver’s license number, you should ask the reason for the request and how your information will be stored. Making informed decisions about your identity documents will help you better protect them and potentially pinpoint the source of any future issues that arise because of misuse of those documents.
Contact the ITRC
To learn more about when you are required to share your Social Security or driver’s license number, or if you believe you were the victim of an identity crime, contact the ITRC. You can speak with an expert advisor toll-free by calling 888.400.5530 or visiting our website to live chat during our regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-5 p.m. PST. You can leave a message for an advisor if you contact us outside of our business hours, and we will respond the next business day. Just visit www.idtheftcenter.org to get started.
