What's the risk of giving out your social security number?

October 1, 2021 9:28 PM

Somewhere that I'm volunteering for needs my social security number for a background check. I'm hesitant about giving it out but I also would like to volunteer. What are the risks? Am I being overly paranoid?
posted by sheepishchiffon to Grab Bag (14 answers total)

The major risk would be if the organization in question doesn’t handle its records appropriately. If you’re concerned you could ask them to make sure they destroy the paperwork after doing your background check.

Social Security numbers can be used for identity theft but it’s a relatively rare crime. If you have any faith in the organization’s administrative ability I wouldn’t worry about it.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:03 PM on October 1, 2021

Yes and no. They need your ss for the check. Cannot do it without it. But, you are then relying on the security procedures of the volunteer org and the background check company. I volunteered at a school and was hesitant to give mine out, but like the Covid vax, you don't have to give it, but you will not have the opportunity to volunteer without it. Frankly, a determined person can find out my ss number I assume. If someone gets it and say applies for credit in my name, it is a hassle, but not the end of the world. It is probably like the old joke about the person whose spouse has their credit card stolen and when asked why they did not report it, they said that the thief probably spends less than the spouse.

If this is a large or long time experienced organization for which you wish to volunteer, you are probably ok.
posted by AugustWest at 10:06 PM on October 1, 2021 [2 favorites]

Another risk I would be considering: What does it say about the organization that they're so invested in the criminal system (& the credit-record system) that they make decisions contingent on your history of encounters with it? What other organizational services are gated this way?
posted by xueexueg at 10:29 PM on October 1, 2021 [1 favorite]

Can you organize the background check yourself? That way there is no middle-person with access to your data.
posted by lulu68 at 10:47 PM on October 1, 2021

Response by poster: This organization works with kids so I think it's valid to have a background check.
posted by sheepishchiffon at 10:58 PM on October 1, 2021 [5 favorites]

Depending on where you are, there may be laws requiring a background check for certain types of organizations or volunteer positions, very common for working with kids.

What it says about the organization might simply be that they are following the law. I think this would be a positive sign for someone looking to volunteer, most people don't want to volunteer for an organization that's conducting illegal activities. (And there are many organizations that have lots of laws to follow, yet help people without screening those they are helping -- many hospitals fall into this category, for example. Healthcare for the homeless. Needle exchange programs.)

You may find this article interesting
https://privacyrights.org/consumer-guides/volunteer-background-checks-giving-back-without-giving-privacy

posted by yohko at 11:29 PM on October 1, 2021 [2 favorites]

Essentially every person's social security number was leaked in the Experian hack. It's already out there.
posted by flimflam at 12:21 AM on October 2, 2021 [8 favorites]

I work with an organization that requires volunteer background checks -- it's required by both state law and the national organization, since the volunteers are working with kids. Even when not required by law, it's a very common thing to do, because organizations that work with kids can be held liable if they do not screen their volunteers.

You should be able to ask the organization you're working with about their retention & control policy/practices for sensitive data like SSNs. If they're doing what they ought, they should be able to tell you how those files are secured, who has access, and how long they are kept. The answers to those questions may help you make your decision.
posted by ourobouros at 4:46 AM on October 2, 2021 [3 favorites]

Not really sure why they need an SSN for a background check, as records searches can be done on name/address, DL/state ID number, etc. I wouldn't be too concerned about it personally except for wondering about the quality of the background check service they are using and that they may be excluding volunteers who don't have an SSN.
posted by wierdo at 6:03 AM on October 2, 2021

Right, like ourobouros, I had to give out my SSN for a background check (as well as my state ID, previous addresses, etc.) when I had a job working children. In the US at least, there are laws around who can keep such data and for how long - I'd be surprised if this org kept volunteers SSNs after the background check finished, but it can't hurt to check.
posted by coffeecat at 7:19 AM on October 2, 2021

I stopped providing my SSN on any sort of application until I was further along in whatever process/position I was apply to/for. Job application? Once I've progressed past the interview process and am being seriously considered for the job and they at this point need/want to run a credit or background check they may have my SSN. There is zero need for them to have it beforehand.
posted by SoftSummerBreeze at 8:25 AM on October 2, 2021

1. You can't do it without sharing that info.
2. Literally everyone's information is constantly being leaked anyway. I've lost track of how many times big leaks happened in the last three months.
3. There really is no point in trying to keep your SSN private. It isn't. You might as well give it up and be able to do the thing.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:26 AM on October 2, 2021

I have essentially given up (that's just what they WANT you to do!) trying to watchdog the security of my SSN. As others have said, there have been so many leaks, everyone's data is already out there. If you're worried about identity theft, in the US you are entitled to one free credit report per year, from each of the three major bureaus. I space mine out every four months, rotating from one bureau to the next, so that I always have a reasonably recent view of activity on my credit history. No surprises, yet.
posted by xedrik at 8:33 AM on October 2, 2021

I have also had my SSN leaked in multiple big breaches (one by the state of IL). Any entity using knowledge of SSN as proof of identity is negligent and deserves to be defrauded.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 1:54 PM on October 2, 2021