Social Security Numbers

1. Who owns our social security numbers?

The Unites States Government owns everyone's social security numbers. According to Wikipedia.com, obtaining a social security number is completely voluntary and not required since it is a federal aid program and not a law. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_(United_States))

2.What are they used for?

Social security numbers are used federal aid programs such as disability, children's health funds, unemployment. However, a ssn is mostly known for federal funding of retirees. Social security numbers are also a way to label and number the millions of Americans and their tax information.

3.How can you protect a social security number?

In order to protect your personal social security number, one must protect it just like any other important asset. Physically protecting the card with the actual number and signature on it by safeguarding it in a private location. When required, jobs and even online applications may request that a social security number is needed, one should write the number down in private, never announce it over the phone with people around and make sure that the online source has encryption and security. One should never write it down in multiple locations or let anyone else know it.