Identity Theft-What Can Really be Done w/o a SSN?

TheItalianGuy asks: "Many of us that work in the financial sector are bombarded with daily security threats. One of the biggest these days is Identity Theft. My fellow comrades and I have been really grilling each other on differing scenarios on what could be done with what information. However, it all seems to come back the the Social Security Number. Financial companies have other controls in place (customer service verification checking, account passwords, etc) to ensure identification. But in order to be of any use, a bad guy would really need someone's SSN. Absent of that, other information would be useless. Right? That's what I would like to ask Slashdot folks. What could be realistically done with customer information without a SSN? Account numbers, address, maybe a phone or payment amount. Is that really dangerous to the customer if only those get compromised?"

Comments

Re:SSN

[limekiller4]

Anonymous Coward (aren't they all?), listen to me. Don't hit the reply button. Don't read while thinking about what you're going to type next. I know it's hard for you but STFU and listen.

This is a conversation about whether I, John Q. Public, a person who runs my own business, can request a SSN. I can. If you disagree, cite the law I'd be violating..

Please. I'm fucking begging you.

If we agree so far, then I further suggest that I do not have to take you on as a customer. Again, if you disagree, cite the law I'd be violating.

Look, I know that talking out of your ass GoatSe.cx-style is de rigueur on Slash but I can't make it any simpler for you. I'm replying to you ...not for your edification. I'm replying so that all the little cretins who read this post -- now and in the next decade -- have something to chew on.

So this is my last reply on the subject.

You can cite the law or you cannot. I already know which it is. I have the funny feeling you don't.