Should I Give My Employer My Social Security Number?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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may ask for a Social Security number before you've been hired, but

it's not mandatory to provide it

, according to the Society of Human Resource Management. When you are hired, you will need to provide your Social Security number so your employer can do a background check.

Is it legal to ask for social security number on job application?

Generally,

employers should not request a Social Security number

(SSN) on an employment application as the SSN is not directly related to an 's ability to perform a specific job and applications are often viewed by individuals who do not have a need to know this information.

Do employers ask for social security number?

Generally,

employers should not request a Social Security number (SSN) on an employment application

as the SSN is not directly related to an applicant's ability to perform a specific job and applications are often viewed by individuals who do not have a need to know this information.

Why do employers ask for social security number?

Another common reason employers ask for Social Security numbers is

to simply confirm the candidate's identity and work authorization before moving any further through

the hiring and screening process. … Assess whether the SSN is valid. Confirm that the SSN matches the candidate-provided name and date of birth.

Can you refuse to give your Social Security number?


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.

What happens if someone gets your SSN?

Once hackers or thieves have your SSN, they can make false statements on claims, file claims under your SSN,

file fraudulent tax returns for refunds, open bank accounts and credit cards and more

. A SSN, especially one with a good credit score attached, can be used to extract serious money quickly via these scams.

When should I give my SSN?

According to the Social Security Administration, you should make sure your employer has your correct social security number

when you start a new job

. Financial institutions should also have your SSN because of tax reporting purposes. Also, credit reporting companies use it to identify your credit record.

How can I prove my Social Security number without a card?

  1. Social Security card.
  2. 1040 Tax Return (federal or state versions acceptable)
  3. W2 and/or 1099s (includes 1099 MISC, 1099G, 1099R, 1099SSA, 1099DIV, 1099S, 1099INT)

How do I check to see if someone is using my Social Security number?

at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338) or go to: www.identitytheft.gov/ To order a copy of your Social Security Administration earnings and benefits statement, or to check whether someone has used your Social Security number to get a job or to avoid paying taxes, visit

www.socialsecurity.gov/statement/

.

Why do employers ask for last 4 digits of SSN?

For most of these companies they require the last four digits of your Social Security Number(***-**-1234) and the Month and Day of your Birth (01/01/****). This helps

those VMS systems to create unique identifiers to track what jobs you have applied to, interviews and those results, departments, locations, etc

.

Who can legally ask for your SSN?


There is no law that prevents businesses from asking for your SSN

. And you may be denied service if you don't give the number. If giving your SSN to a business doesn't seem reasonable to you, ask if you can show another form of identification. Or ask if the business can use another number as your customer number.

Is it illegal to have two Social Security numbers?

California law limits the public display of Social Security numbers.

A California law bars organizations from publicly displaying SSNs

2


. The law prohibits: Printing SSNs on ID cards or badges.

How hard is it to get a new Social Security number?


Yes

, but it is not easy. If you can show that you are in danger due to domestic violence or other abuse, or you are experiencing significant, ongoing financial harm due to identity theft, Social Security can assign you a different number.

Should I be worried if someone has my Social Security number?

If you suspect somebody has your Social Security Number — whether they stole it from a company (like Equifax) or you gave it to them voluntarily — it's important

to set up credit monitoring

. Typically your bank or the company that was breached will provide this to you for free.

What to do when your SSN is stolen?

  1. File a police report or a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Identity Theft Report. …
  2. If you believe your identity has already been used, you can also contact the Social Security Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

Can someone access my bank account with my Social Security number?

Identity hackers can also use your stolen SSN to dip into any of your existing bank accounts. Posing as you, they can get their name added to the account or simply transfer money.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.