When am I required to provide my Social Security number to a business?
There are a few situations in which you must provide your Social Security (SSN) number to a business, including
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Reducing Your Risk of Identity Theft
Others can get your personal information in many ways including
data breaches discarded documents stolen wallets/purses stolen mail phishingWhile you can't always prevent identity theft, you can reduce your risk.
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Do I have to show my ID when I buy something with a credit card?
With Visa and MasterCard, no. They both have rules that limit stores from requiring you to show your ID as a condition of purpose. These rules also make them accept your card even if you refuse to show your ID.
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In California, can a landlord ask me about my source of income in a rental application?
Yes, but all verifiable sources of income must be considered the same. For example, disability income may not be treated differently from office job income.
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Reducing Spam
While it’s impossible to entirely rid your life of spam, you can take action to significantly reduce the amount you receive.
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Victims Speak Out on Identity Theft: A Survey of Identity Theft Victims and Recommendations for Reform
A CALPIRG/Privacy Rights Clearinghouse Report
By Janine Benner, CALPIRG; Beth Givens, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse; and Ed Mierzwinski, USPIRG.
I. Executive Summary
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Preparing for a Disaster
Nobody likes to think about the possibility of a disaster, but it’s important for you to be prepared long before one happens. Once one hits, it's unlikely that you’ll have enough time to take the steps to protect yourself and your personal information.
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Making a Good Password
Passwords can be your first line of defense against stolen personal information (phone data, banking information, email, medical records) so it’s important to create one that is strong.
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