Letter to the FTC Re: SSNs in the Private Sector

The connection between SSNs and identity theft and the dangers and limitations of over-reliance on the number as an identifier and authenticator has been wellestablished. Consumers Union's survey results augment these prior research findings. The poll found that consumers are regularly asked for their SSN by businesses that don't have a clear need for it. Although consumers well understand the vulnerabilities associated with giving their SSN to others, most provide it when asked out of fear for the consequences of refusing. Many consumers believe their sensitive information held by others is not secure and support obligations to protect that data and to provide remedies to consumers when security is breached.