What is a Social Security number and how did it become my primary identifier?

What is a Social Security number and how did it become my primary identifier?

Robert Siciliano (Identity Theft Expert and CEO) gives expert video advice on: How are we identified in the U.S.?; When is it okay to give out my home address? and more...

The Social Security number was established via the Social Security Administration back in the late 30s. That was primarily for Social Security benefits. However, in the early 70s banks started to adopt that Social Security number when they were issuing credit cards. That become our primary identifier revolving around our credit. The credit bureaus and the banks started to use that in the 70s and the 80s and again, major corporations, even small businesses, started to use that as a primary identifier for most accounts, whether it's insurance, even your cellular phone bill, your home phone, any utilities and then also for criminal records, etc. It become our primary identifier. It was never meant to have as much responsibility as it does today, and as result, that social security number is in so many places. It's in your doctor's office, it's at the local video store, it's in the utiliity's office and all these people have access to it and that, again, is the key to the kingdom. Anyone that has access to it essentiallly can open up accounts in our name and become us.