Is it legal for someone to provide you with other people’s Social Security Numbers?
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Is it legal for someone to provide you with other people’s Social Security Numbers?
Yesterday I got served with paperwork in regards to a debt that is now going to court. I am not contesting the debt but in the packet that I received there was a list of about 30 other people’s personal information including their social security numbers from the debt collector. It makes me wonder how many people received my social security number then as well. Is it legal to just give out someone’s social security number like that?
Asked on October 5, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, Wisconsin
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It is not illegal to provide another person with one's social security number. In many debt collection matters obtaining a judgment debtor's social security number is the best way to ascertain a judgment debtor's assets for levy purposes.
What is illegal is using someone's social security number to open up a credit card application or for some other illegal or improper purpose such as identity theft.
The packet you received was probably a list of other judgment debtors what are supposed to be at the upcoming hearing which most likely is an order of examination where the judgment debtors are asked questions about their assets for purposes of satisfying the judgment against them.
Good luck.
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