Secure your Social Security number

[Don]

E-mail alert sent out by:

Jim Guest
President, Consumers Union
Nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703-1057


, Do you know where your Social Security number is? It is probably in
the hands of every insurance company you've ever had, your bank, your
credit card companies, your doctor, the hospital where you had your
surgery, your student loan company, your university admissions
office, and more.

Your Social Security number is yours--and should be protected.
Support strong federal legislation to secure your Social
Security Number.

Your Social Security number gives thieves the key to your credit and
your money. With so many copies floating around, it's no wonder ID
theft has directly affected 1 in 4 Americans.

The Social Security Administration created your Social Security
number solely for the purpose of giving you Social Security benefits.
It has become a defacto national ID number for commercial use--but
with few or no restrictions.

We can't turn back the clock. Your private ID number is out there.
But we can stop companies from selling your Social Security number,
or printing it on documents that can be easily stolen from your mail
box or wallet.

Lawmakers concerned about your privacy recently filed strong
legislation to protect you. Help us pass this new law in 2008 with a
quick message to your own Representative now.

And once you take action yourself, please take a moment to forward
this message to your friends and family.