In other words, the SSN is now officially being used for purposes of identification – just as they (the authors of Social Security, all those years ago) swore up and down it never would be. If you decline to provide your SSN, the odds are very good that – minimally – you will be “detained” until such time as they can “confirm by some other method” (got that from the horse’s mouth) that you are really you – which is what they will usually claim they need the SSN for. Only the “ape” in this case is not behind bars. Arguing with him over what “the law” is will have the same effect on the cop that making funny faces at an ape behind bars usually does. Most people are rightly nervous when dealing with an armed goon. In most contests between an armed man and an unarmed victim, the armed man typically emerges the victor.įirst, you’re under duress (a concept Clovers do not grok). Instead he will cite “the law” (generally) and now the fun begins. The cop will probably not be able to do either. Technically, you have the right to demand the cop identify the specific law that requires you to provide your Social Security number – and then to specify how, exactly, your Social Security number will be used. Operationally, you are going to be stopped for no particular reason (e.g., “safety/sobriety checkpoints”) and if you don’t consent to being searched, they’ll find some pretext for doing so (e.g., a dog “alerts” on you/your car) or at the very least, hassle you to the point that you give in. It sounds reassuring – like the Fourth Amendment’s gabble about no “unreasonable” searches absent “probable cause.” Technically, this is the law. “It shall be unlawful for any Federal, State or local government agency to deny to any individual any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law because of such individual’s refusal to disclose his social security account number.” Sec. There is something called the Privacy Act of 1974 which reads as follows: Now, technically, the cops are only entitled to ask for your Social Security number – and you are not necessarily obliged to give it. And that is precisely the point, from their point-of-view. The SSN number makes it almost impossible to evade Uncle. Even those who do not fear the DMV and its points – or the insurance mafia – will usually cringe when contemplating the prospect of a black mark showing up on their credit report. But it’s harder to pass off a fake Social Security number – and it’s also much easier to get you to pay up. They want your sosh because it’ll be easier to sic debt collectors on you in the event you welsh on what you “owe.” Apparently, there are crafty devils out there with fake licenses who used to “get away” with not handing over the money the government thinks it’s entitled to just snatch from you. The other problem relates to the government’s money-lust. And now, it’s written on the back of a traffic ticket that’s probably accessible to scores of potential no-good-niks down at the cop shop.
Keep in mind that since your Social Security number is, in fact, used for purposes of identification – and much more, besides (including credit history) its leakage could cause you problems you don’t even want to know about. This point need not be elaborated any further than it is necessary to belabor the dangers of walking down a slippery sidewalk. Especially when it comes to the handling of information that might cause problems if it falls into the wrong hands. These people may or may not be trustworthy, but we know for certain the government is an epicenter of untrustworthiness. De jure, because the law increasingly does require it for purposes of identification, even though the original law said it never would be used for such purposes.īut why be worried (as opposed to merely irritated) about being forced to cough up one’s Social Security number over a routine traffic stop?įirst, there’s very real potential for identity theft – possibly, by the cop who issued you the ticket … or perhaps a quasi-cop (i.e., a clerk) down at the cop shop who has access to the paperwork. De facto, because it’s almost impossible to transact any business without one. Our SS number is now the de facto – and in a very real sense, the de jure – national ID.
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