In a message dated 7/9/2006 12:47:36 PM Pacific Standard Time,
missdeuces@yahoo.com writes:
I cannot imagine why the IRS or US Govt could not enforce that.
They easily could send someone on the cruise ship to monitor what is
happening. I personally have no idea why an American citizen would
not have their SS card with them or why anyone would want to argue
with an Indian operated casino or a Cruise Ship Casino about a tax
form
As an attorney, I advise clients in general not to use SS numbers in any
context other than for IRS purposes. I deal with national corporations who in
the past used SS numbers for several purposes such as for Comat mail and other
similar identification purposes. States that continue to use SS numbers
coupled with your name and address as in drivers licenses are setting their
citizens up for almost instant identify theft. I would suggest if you live in such a
State, at minimum use a post office box as your address on that drivers
license.
As a young attorney, I am an old one now! -- I did a lot of the
preparation for trials. If I had someone's SS number I had all I needed. I could find
out anything I needed to know with that number! Asset searches, credit card
information (including numbers, available credit), etc. The retired FBI and
police offices I used as investigators found the SS number critical to their
search. With it they would come back to me with a comprehensive file on any witness,
plaintiff or defendant.
An employee in a casino with access to your social security number, name,
and financial information can easily sell this information. You may not even
know your number is being utilized until years later.
It is extremely unwise to carry such information on you. If you need an
actual SS card, you can simply visit a local social security office during
business hours. Naturally looking up the address, driving to the government
facility, waiting in a line is inconvenient--but it is a balancing act. Losing your
wallet with your number makes you open to a far greater inconvenience.
China
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