[KYHAM] Red Cross background check

[A. W.]

--- Tyler Allison <tyler at allisonhouse.com> wrote:

<snip>...This same check is required for any of a
number of things such as renting an apartment (in some
states), getting 
a
loan, applying for a job, getting a credit card,
purchasing a firearm, 
the
list goes on....They often already have access to your
information through other
means, and thus do not need to ask you directly (eg:
credit card
companies)...<snip>



 Unfortunately, the examples you cite are true; the
difference in my mind is that it can be difficult to
get along in today's society without a home,
employment, credit and (in some cases) a readily
available gun. In other words, cough up your SSN or
deal with untenable circumstances.

 On the other hand, I have been asked for my SSN when
buying (with cash) eyeglasses, television sets and
furniture. When I took my cat to the vet, they "had to
have" my SSN. In such cases I leave the SSN blank; if
pressed I figure they mean "supply some number", and I
act accordingly. To date I have not had difficulty in
obtaining glasses, TV's or furniture, and my cat is
still living.

 My (admittedly limited) voluntary help to certain "
served agencies" is not something that I cannot live
without, so they don't get my SSN. Based on what I
know about the way SSN information is used by the
majority of entities that I have supplied it to, in
about 10 seconds a reasonably connected
business/person can get SSN info anyway. That is
exactly the reason I won't spill it out to everyone
who asks, there is no guarantee of confidentiality.  

 When the ARC (or others) require my SSN to have me
serve them, I will simply decline to do so. If this
stand precludes my participation in some organized ham
radio related "public service", so be it. There are
other similar equally worth while avenues for my time,
money and effort.

 Tyler, I appreciate your thoughts on this issue;
perhaps the real problem (as you pointed out) is that
most people no longer have control of their SSN
information anyway. Thank you for putting things in
perspective.

AW   


 



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