Is a Social Security Number Required for a Credit Card

archive
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 4:09 pm
Post subject: Is a Social Security Number Required for a Credit Card

Jamie Southerland
Date: 5/2/2000 11:07 am CDT

Perhaps you can provide me with the information I seek: I have become increasingly concerned with providing my social security number and mother's maiden name to... well, anyone. My understanding is that the social security number is not to be used for identification purposes (at least, that's what it says on my card), yet everyone requires it. Are they permitted to do so? and must I provide it to apply for credit?

Thank you for your help. I found your site through Yahoo.

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archive
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 4:10 pm
Post subject: Is a Social Security Number Required for a Credit Card

Board Monitor
Date: 5/2/2000 11:37 am CDT

Jamie,

Thanks for your recent inquiry! Unfortunately, your social security number is required to apply for a credit card. The main reason is that financial institutions access your credit report/history primarily through your SS#....and they base much of their credit decisions through info. provided on your report. Your SS# also confirms your identity (as you mentioned).

You should, however, always be cautious about giving out your number. Also, I would not include your SS# on your personal checks.

Hope this helps!

Regards,
Jackie Hughes
Board Monitor
CardRatings.org

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NightStar
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 8:34 am
Post subject: Is a Social Security Number Required for a Credit Card

Actually that is a misconception about the social security number being needed to access credit reports.

All the lender needs is your name and address, the only businesses that require social seucrity numbers is for taxes and employment. The credit reporting agency can access and provide reports with out social security number, but if there is more then one person with the same name, it is a fine tuning tool for isolating the correct individual.

These other business's requesting social security number do it for purposes of being able to locate you later if you default, like example would be they have to take you to court and sue you, then submit request for wage garnishment, with that social security number they could show the employer that they have the right person for the garnishment.

You are not required to provide the social security number to any creditor, BUT they reserve the right to decline offering you credit... so it is a catch 22 there.
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Best Regards,
Pammila Phillis
Board Monitor
http://www.cardratings.com
501-663-0314 PH

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