When am I required to provide my Social Security number to a business?

Q & A Main Article 3

There are a few situations in which you must provide your Social Security (SSN) number to a business, including

  • becoming an employee or independent contractor for a business
  • engaging in a banking, financial or real estate transaction
  • applying for group health insurance through your employer
  • applying for credit

Even when there is no law requiring it, a business might request your SSN and deny you service if you refuse to provide it.