By Cynthia Grau

SPRINGFIELD – Identity theft is running rampant throughout the world, which leaves many consumers wondering what to do when a business asks for a social security number.

Jack Myers with the Social Security Administration in Springfield said some places are required to have the number.

“Banks are required to get your social security number. Employers are required to have it,” Myers said. “A lot of that comes down to wage reporting or earnings reporting issues, and that’s what the social security number was always for in the first place, but it’s expanded far beyond that.”

Myers added you can refuse to provide that very sensitive and important identification number, but you have to be prepared if you do.

“There’s nothing that prohibits them from asking you for the number, but there’s also nothing that prohibits you from refusing to give it,” Myers explained. “The thing you have to be prepared for is that if you refuse to give the number, then the place may refuse to give you service.”

For more information, visit socialsecurity.gov.

Cynthia Grau can be reached at [email protected].