what do you think of this idea?

Question

to stop or slow down all the stolen SS#, i think this idea might help.
I think if the government would make a new SS card for everyone with their picture and finger prints with their SS number in bar codes, i think it would slow the stolen SS# down. And, make sure it's in the national computer, that way when ppl go to apply for jobs they should have to show this card. your finger prints, picture, and SS# has to match up with what is on the card. if not, than you should be fined and jailed for attempting to steal SS#. I think all employers should have a machine that would scan your SS#, finger prints, and make sure your picture matches.
I really think it would be easy, scan your card and type in your SS# and have your finger prints scanned. As long as your SS# is in Bar Code and the machine is the only thing that can see your prints..i dont see how there could be any problems with identity theft anymore. sure theres bugs that would have to be worked out but, hey this is a start.

who would i talk to about this idea...does anyone know?

51aintbad,

i think it would cost quite a bit at the begging but, i also think it will pay off in the long run.

good idea arkie, it's a start.

cant hurt to try.

how do you figure fenny?
your finger prints (at least) arn't the same as mine...so how could you pull that one off?

kehkohjon,
it's just an idea. but, it's an idea i'm going to try. Like i said, there's bugs in this idea that need to be taken out. But, it's a start on (I think) is a good idea.

I just need to find out who to talk to about this. Right now, other than my local paper..i'm lost.

Answer 1

you have done your homework for this. why don't you write your reps in dc and see what they say.

better yet, send this to your local newspaper as a letter to the editor. this is the kind of stuff many of them like.

Answer 2

You can always write your Congressman....

What they need to do is stop using your social security number for everything. I hate it that I have to write it as my identification number in school and college. It is being used for things that it wasn't meant for, and really is a breach of privacy.

The problem with linking the number to your fingerprints and picture... is that first, that'd take a lot of time. Second, I don't think people are steaing #s to get jobs... maybe I'm wrong... but it's usually to get into you bank account or some other personal information. Also, it doesn't stop the problem of people using fake numbers stolen off deceased people etc. I agree that there should be another identification system.. maybe a national ID... like a passport, with fingerprints, picture.. .etc. and use the social security number for everything else.

Answer 3

Good try but the "theft" is done by simply writing down someone else's number on an application (for apartment seeking, for job purposes, etc); sometimes a person will choose numbers at random when applying for a job... no one confirms and that is all that is needed. It would help if employers would confirm numbers with names... but it ain't done!

The real problem is when they accumulate debts and these are reported with one's name and SS number to the credit bureaus...... trying to get rid of debts that do not belong to person, even IF THE SS NUMBERS DIFFER is hard enough. Sometimes the names are the same but the SS and the addresses are from different states and the credit reporting clerks (JERKS?) won't change it even if the address differ, or the SS numbers differ and one PROVES that they do not belong, in spite of the mandates as per the Fair Credit Reporting Act pf 1970.

But, it's a good try. The idea would be easily defeated by a few unscrupulous individuals that work in any company with access to the device that would read the SS with the bar codes.

The great majority of identity thefts are done from within INSIDE work places like hospital records employees, or Department of Motor Vehicles employees, school employees, or other businesses and/or institutions that employ a lot of people. The SS numbers are not "stolen" by dumb, ignorant people who can barely read or write... What about relatives that must utilize the SS numbers of children? What about banks, schools, colleges, hospitals and other institutions and/or companies that have this information on computer hard drives and can be hacked at any time? It is not the physical card that is stolen but the knowledge of information that is stolen and abused or used for nefarious purposes.

A good deterrent would be for people to stop giving out their SS numbers to people over the telephone whenever anyone asks for it or wants to "confirm" it. What I do is ask THEM to give me what they have (if I know they are a legitimate enterprise) or I give them ONLY the last four numbers. I did this even with attorneys and employees from other offices. Another deterrent would be to stop ALL government employees from asking people out loud within earshot of others for one's SS numbers! I see this at the DMV, hospitals, schools, etc., every single day and all it takes is someone nearby listening and writing this information down!

Good try... but no prize!

Answer 4

I think it sounds like a good idea. It might need some fine tuning, but I think it could work. There would probably be some resistance, but if the system was used only for job applicant identification, I don't see any problem with it.

Answer 5

IT would be a good ideal for the social security office to put photo id's on the ss cards..but to have your finger print taking everytime you have to show your id would get old..but most banks ask for a thumb print now days...i think you are on the right track...

Answer 6

the government never looks at things in the long run..they only care about the here now. and if someone wants to steal someones ss# that bad, they would find a way around anything

Answer 7

Sounds good. Over where I live... I have noticed that employers don't even bother asking for a social security card or birth certificate - so maybe they should start off by requiring employers to ask for all that documentation?!

Answer 8

you have to understand that the ss# is for Social security. not i.d., it is for you retirement, no- one should ask for it, not even when appling for credit. you have to give it to an employer so the can make sure you are paying your ss taxes. and you'll need it to collevt them. but that is it, alot of people in this county use it too freely and that is how thier identities get stolen

Answer 9

It would cost the government way too much. Social Security is already in very big financial trouble. Illegals with phony Social Security numbers pay into the fund but never get anything in return. Why kill the goose that laid the golden egg?

Answer 10

what about the children? i have to use their ss# for school and what not, i guess it would work if their footprint was on the card...
they could have it to where when you go in for a license that you have to have that done already...
not a bad ideal at all!!!!

Answer 11

you're talking about a national ID card. I don't think there's justification in the Constitution for this...at least as it's currently interpreted.