Thursday, October 4, 2001

Use of Social Security card for ID upsets sportsmen

A promise has been broken.
   The words may not be printed on your Social Security card. But if the card was printed between January 1946 and January 1972, then the "not for identification" promise is there.
   This includes the now-faded card issued to Pete Young when he was a teen. Young is 65 today and angry.
   The Mathis-area sportsman is not alone.
   Texas Parks and Wildlife has received some calls, mostly from members of Young's generation, unhappy they are being required to provide a Social Security number when purchasing their fishing or hunting licenses.
   I sympathize with Young and appreciate his peers' concern for fiscal security. The explanation for this rule is simple, though no less difficult to swallow for Young.
   For some time now, governments have teamed up to smoke out deadbeat parents who refuse to pay court-ordered child support. A 1996 law forces TPW's hand in this matter.
   Prior to this use, the Internal Revenue Service began asking for Social Security numbers in 1962 for taxpayer identification and then the number began being requested by the U.S. Department of Defense in 1967 for use as a military ID number. Both these examples ignored the language appearing on cards issued during this period.
   Then, in 1976, Social Security numbers were required when getting a driver's license in some states.
   You gave out your Social Security number if you received a driver's license through the Texas Department of Public Safety. Retailers, medical offices, and financial institutions, including issuers of credit cards routinely ask for Social Security numbers.
   Sometimes, giving it is optional. Sometimes, it's not.
   I will not debate the merits of this law or the practice, except to express my willingness to sacrifice a little privacy to help squeeze money from irresponsible parents for the benefit of children. Of course, I might feel differently if the wholesale use of my Social Security number results in someone stealing my money or wrecking my credit rating.
   I suspect the chances of this are slim.
   Below are the answers to questions most asked of TPW regarding Social Security numbers and licenses:
   Q: What if I refuse to provide my social security number?
   A: TPW cannot force you to provide your social security number, however under
  Federal Statute we cannot sell you a license.
  
   Q: What Federal Law are we talking about here?
   A: Your social security number is required to be collected for the purpose of child
  support collection enforcement under Federal Statute 42 U.S.C.A. 666 and Texas
  Family Code, Section 231.302.
  
   Q: Do I have to provide my child's social security number in order to purchase their license?
   A: A child under the age of 17 years is not required to furnish a social security number.
   Q: What if I do not have a social security number?
   A: In the rare instance that a U.S. resident does not have a social security number, he or she is asked to fill out a sworn affidavit that no number exists.
   Q: What if my social security number is stolen, who is liable?
   A: Like banks, mortgage companies and other organizations that maintain social security numbers as part of their records, TPW and its contractor for license sales
  take great care in safeguarding this information.
  
   Q: I am very unhappy with this law, and its effect on me. Who can I talk to about this?
   A: While staff at TPW is willing to listen to your concerns, by the nature of the problem they are not in a position to effect any change. We would suggest
  contacting your state and U.S. Senator or Representative and communicating your concerns.
   Q: I want to buy a license for a friend or relative, am I required to furnish their social security number?
   A: Yes, the law requires that the purchaser provide the social security number of the
  person holding the license.
  
  
  
  

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