The Federal Trade Commission and Administration of Social Security warns, "Keep your number social security. Do not carry your social security card in your wallet or your social security number on a check. "But at least 44 million Medicare insurance cards include full social security number of the recipient.
Charlene Frizzera COO from the nation's Medicare agency, said it would be too expensive to change the existing system. "Our advice is, do not carry it with you unless you know you'll need it," said Frizzera of the government insurance card, despite the fact that the back of the card itself reads "Carry your card with you when you are away from home."
8 million Defense Department identity cards used by the scene and the active reserve forces and their dependents, as well as the identity cards issued to military retirees also display social security numbers. The Pentagon plans to remove the numbers in 2014.
And when taxpayers use the mail to file their taxes rather than electronic filing, the IRS asked to write their Social Security numbers on their checks. While the IRS says it does not reject the missing checks the social security number, it does not intend to modify the instructions.
A social security number is only all the needs of a criminal to open fraudulent credit accounts using the identity of a victim. A protection against identity theft services is the best way to prevent and detect identity theft. Monitoring your credit report is another way to determine whether an identity theft has opened accounts in your name. And online tax preparation services eliminate the risk of mailing checks to the IRS. When your social security number or other sensitive personal information is compromised, you run a much greater risk of having your identity stolen. Take preventive measures is the best way to avoid becoming a victim.