I have been dealing with online fraud for many years now. Many people are dealing with their social security number being stolen and used for theft online. This is only going to get worse as time goes by and we need a solution for us to be able to still use our social security number. I was wondering if it would not be feasible for all of us to be assigned maybe a 3- or 4-digit extension to all of our SS numbers. I’m not sure how difficult this would be but it doesn’t like too much to handle. This way, we would all start out with essentially a "new number " (our own number with an extension). Does anyone have any other thoughts regarding this problem?
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I like this idea. One way to make it work would be like many financial institutions do. When an attempt is made to access an account, the bank or company calls or texts the phone number on record providing a multi-digit numeric code that has a active life. Mine gives me 10 minutes to enter the code before the code goes stale and will no longer work. This could be applied to most online and face-to-face transactions.
Currently credit cards use a 3 digit PIN (Personal Identitification Number) which works well if you retain possession of the card. Unfortunately it is usual printed on the card and if the card is stolen the thief has access to your account until you notify the credit card company. This could easily be changed to the two number verification scheme it would simply require an extra step at the point-of-sale location.
This might be a challenge to those with cognitive issues, but that is the only drawback I’ve noticed. What I don’t want to see is a situation where the additional number(s) become part of a written record and therefore easier to steal. That’s what happened with our SS numbers - the whole number has become a part of written records available to thousands of prying eyes.
I know what you are saying and that is a concern. This whole idea just came out of the frustration that I had since my identity was stolen and the thief attempted to take out a loan for $25,000.00 in my name and I just kept saying that I wanted a new number. The new extension to our original number would therefore be a “new number”. I no longer shop online using my name and have frozen my credit and that helps me sleep at night…lol.
I like this idea too. Certainly the technology exists to block incoming scam calls from international sources. Cellular carriers should be compelled to apply these anti-phishing technologies to consumer accounts.