Don't Print Social Security Number on Checks

By grandma J (Guest Post)

This is such a critical issue, people should be reminded daily of the horror of ID Theft.

My neighbor's daughter had her wallet stolen at work when she was in college. Of course, she had all the stuff on her check (no SSN) but it was enough for many checks to be written without being asked for any ID. The FBI said if they once had to be asked, it would have stopped there.
I do not keep any ID with my checkbook. That is in a separate place. If you have to have a copy of your SSN for any reason, black out the first set of 6 numbers on a COPY of the SSN and carry that. That is enough to check it with your ID info, if needed.
Any junk mail that comes, etc CHECK IT OUT to see how much personal information is on it. Call the company or file a complaint if the info is the type not everyone should have.
You don't have to use your SSN for credit cards, utilities, etc even tho they might insist. They can assign you a number.
ID Theft did not used to be an issue as much PRE computers, etc. My parents (70s) and their generation don't get it how hard it is to clean up. With all the new insurances for medicare, etc they are always being asked for their ID. My mom is now having an issue with an insurance company NOT having the authority to take out of her checking account DOING that. I tell them do not give any info over the telephone, mail, etc. There are community entities that are to be go-betweens to help set things up. I tell them to not ever have auto debit out of their accounts--just deposit ins. All other should require a signiture that can be traced.

Currently dealing with my son's ID Theft, and the bogus company has filed with a collection agency against him to collect when he was forced to close out his checking account--the bank kept paying even after police reports were filed, etc. He is being sued for payment to the ID THEFT.
One of the companies that OPRAH had listed as a big ID FRAUD THEFT was the company attacking my son's account. Did a google, found lots of complaints on main bank company and the ones they were allowing to collect.