Social Security: Government and Commercial Use of the Social Security Number Is Widespread
HEHS-99-28
Published: Feb 16, 1999. Publicly Released: Feb 16, 1999.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed how the social security number (SSN) is used, focusing on: (1) federal laws and regulations requiring or restricting SSN use; (2) how extensively the private and public sectors use SSNs for purposes not required by federal law; and (3) what businesses and governments believe the impact would be if federal laws limiting the use of SSNs were passed.