Released: November 02, 2008

Shouldn’t have to show ‘em no stinkin’ SSNs

Source: Dan Thanh Dang, Baltimore Sun (Free Registration)

For 43 trouble-free years, John Murray never left home without his American Express card. The retired data coordinator dutifully paid an annual fee every year and diligently paid his balance in full every month. When it came time to renew in April, Murray paid the $85 due and then called the toll-free number to activate the new card sent him in the mail.

Only this time, Murray encountered something new.

“I was told that I must give American Express my Social Security number before the card could be activated,” said Murray, 81, who spent 30 years with the Social Security Administration. “I refused, since American Express has no valid reason for having it, and I know Social Security numbers were never meant to be used for identification. I gave them my telephone number, my address, my date of birth and everything else they asked me.

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