Social Security Number Safety
Linda Foley Identity Theft Resource Center Keep your Social Security number’s last four digits secret. You are only legally required to give out your Social Security number (SSN) when applying for new financial accounts, to an employer or for governmental purposes. The last four digits combined with your name and address could be used to obtain a wealth of information. Safety: Ask why a company would need your SSN -- if you are not comfortable with the answer, seek an alternative company or use another means of ID. Bottom Line/Retirement interviewed Linda Foley, founder, Identity Theft Resource Center, San Diego, www.idtheftcenter.org.