I watch police body camera videos where police routinely ask people for their social security number as identification. Is this commonly used in America? Do people have this memorized?

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Kels121212@reddit

I do know it, but besides starting a job, interacting with my bank or going to the doctor I have never had to provide ti anyone. They actual warn us not to give it out

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I’ve known my Social Security number since three days after I got my card, at like 12-13 years old.
If you join the military it is your identification number.
There may be five Smiths or Jones in your boot camp company. You will be singled out by the last four of your Social.

I was in college in the late 80s (no email yet) and our professors would post our exam grades on his door with our SSNs instead of names for anonymity.

It was on everything and I had mine memorized within two weeks of freshman orientation.

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Electronic-Clock5867@reddit

Walmart used your SSN as your ID number on your scan badge you could use a Telzon and get the person SSN.

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FWEngineer@reddit

totally illegal even at the time, but they didn't care then.

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guy_icognit0@reddit

It would be incredibly strange for a cop to ask you that. So strange I would ask to talk to a Sgt to ask for my lawyer. Ive been in trouble with the law a few times. They absolutely do not need it and I've never been asked. no one needs it but banks and small amounts of the federal government

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Early_Beach_1040@reddit

I've been asked for my social security # in 1989 when walking in what was once a "dangerous" area in SF. I didn't have an ID on me so they did ask my social security number.

I wouldn't say it's common but I also think it depends on who you are and what you look like. I am a white woman

If they are “illegal” or “undocumented” then they won’t have any information or they could possibly be presenting false or fake documents.

I’m not a police officer but I work in law enforcement and I see these queries all the time.

I can’t speak for other states. In Ohio, you have to provide your name and date of birth and address to a law enforcement officer when asked if they have “reasonable suspicion” to identify you.

I also watch several 1st Amendment Auditors on YouTube and I have seen most of the time if a person is on a public sidewalk, the police will ask for the ID but will not demand it because they know the person is allowed to do it. It doesn’t stop them from trying to control the situation by asking but usually when the auditor pushes back, they give up.

A good auditor I recommend looking up on YouTube is KULT News. Mike on this channel typically audits banks or businesses on main streets in downtown/city center locations.

Another one I watch sometimes is “First Amendment Protection Agency”. John on this channel typically audits marijuana dispensaries.

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Dull_Machine5238@reddit

That's because you provide the number to the BMV. The police still don't have access to Social Security Administration records. The state is merrily using it as a tracking system rather than having its own system.

In California, you do not have to show identification to police unless you are lawfully detained or under arrest. However, if you are driving, you must provide your driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance when requested.

Sometimes twins hit on each other’s criminal history/warrants too, with the same last name and DOB.

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Crash217@reddit

My buddy actually got yanked out of his car during a routine traffic stop (he rolled a stop sign), roughed up and thrown in jail for a night for this exact thing. Someone with the same name had warrants for multiple things including assault on a police officer.

Samsies. Right there on the college ID.

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Fun-Dragonfly-4166@reddit

i think that is where it comes from. your drivers license number (then) was your social security number.

since then the numbers are separate. i would not tell that to a cop.

With actual RAS they will need to identify you.

If you don't provide valid verifiable details, then you go for a ride if they cannot identify you.

…

Why the hell would they be asking if you have weapons.

This is America.

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Maleficent-Hawk-318@reddit

I've been asked it once, a long time ago, when I'd also forgotten my driver's license and was pulled over for having a headlight out. The cop asked for my license first, then asked if I knew my license number, then asked for my SSN and birth date. I do have a name that was pretty common in that area so that might have also had something to do with it.

But yeah, it's not the first question they're going to ask when pulling over a driver. It's more a backup up they can't use the license to verify the person's identity for whatever reason, at least from what I've seen/heard.

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Mediocre_Daikon6935@reddit

Right.

But that was obviously an unusual situation.

No ID on you. Common name. Etc.

EMS asks all the time. Cops don’t.

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XelaNiba@reddit

I think every American does because we don't have universal healthcare.

I have my number, my kids' numbers, and my husband's number all memorized because I have put them down on a million forms at doctors' offices.

Failure to identify is a legit charge. Don’t give out legal advice if you don’t know what you’re talking about.

Plus, if you refuse to identify yourself, you just get booked as a “John Doe” until they can find out who you are, which means you get to sit in jail for however long that process takes them.

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WhatABeautifulMess@reddit

No part of my comment advised anyone to do anything. You don't have to say anything. This is middle school level civics.

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ElevenDollars@reddit

I’m sorry I guess I must have been sick that day in middle school civics when they taught us to blatantly break the law and refuse to identify when given the lawful command to do so by the police lmao

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WhatABeautifulMess@reddit

I would identify myself by name and address but beyond that they can take me on and give me my phone call. I’m not giving my social security number to someone who pulls me over.

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Phour3@reddit

[Pennsylvania Vs Muniz] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_v._Muniz) draws a distinction between “routine booking questions” and interrogative questions. So questions like “what is your name” don’t fall under the same category as “where are you headed tonight” from the get-go

There are many US states where you can be charged for failure to identify yourself if an officer has reasonable suspicion of a crime. So not giving your name will be good enough reason for a detainment to rise to an arrest.

In other states without “stop and ID” laws, an officer can detain you for “reasonable articulable suspicion” and conduct their investigation. This may or may not rise to “probable cause” for an arrest. If it does not, you can stay silent and not give your name. If you do get arrested, in the whole US as far as I am aware you are now legally obligated to identify yourself

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awfulcrowded117@reddit

Depends on the state, but generally speaking they can demand to ID you if they have "reasonable articulate suspicion." That said, police often don't realize there is a standard to ask and refusing is a great way to escalate the situation. In this and in general, it's usually a better idea to comply than argue. You can usually sue afterwards even if you comply, so long as you can prove the officer compelled that compliance

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You-Asked-Me@reddit

Only if you are suspected of a crime. Like literally, only if they are going to arrest you do you have to identify yourself.

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La_noche_azul@reddit

That’s incorrect if you’re driving you HAVE to identify yourself. If you’re being detained pending an investigation you may not have to. It depends on the state and crime. Failure to identify yourself after the point of arrest is just an additional charge.

It really depends on if your identity is part of the investigation, for example, you’re being accused of trespassing and you say you live there.

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You-Asked-Me@reddit

But the HAVE to have Reasonable Articulable suspicion to pull you over. Thy cannot just pull you over an demand ID because you are driving.

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La_noche_azul@reddit

You’re terrible at debate, of course to even have the conversation we have to assume the reason for the stop is lawful and there is reasonable suspicion for them to assume you’re a prowler.

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You-Asked-Me@reddit

We can assume you are a cop, and an asshole.

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You-Asked-Me@reddit

Accused of trespassing? If its your house? When would that happen? In that case the cops for sure do not have the right to come to your house and demand your ID in your own house.

A cop came to my door because my neighbor claimed to have been robbed, and she looked at me so suspiciously and asked for my name and SS number. The audacity.

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After_Service_2817@reddit (OP)

Why would you have it memorized? Is it commonly used on a day-to-day basis? I have a Social Insurance Number in Canada, but literally the only time I ever look at the card is to check what the number is to give it to a new employer, because they need it for tax purposes.

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Draconuus95@reddit

I use it every few months for seasonal unemployment benefits. It’s used when doing taxes. Used when hired at a new job. Used at the bank. Some people would use it more. Some less. But you’re basically guaranteed to need to enter your social at least a couple times a year for various things.

It’s basically the national equivalent to a state ID/drivers license number for identification in federal databases. So basically any interaction with the government will eventually lead to you using it somewhere. So having it memorized is just good sense. Of course. Not everyone does. Just like some people couldn’t tell you their own phone number off the top of their head. But I’d guess the average adult knows it by heart by their mid 20s at the latest.

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jbenze@reddit

Once you fill out a stack of employment forms or something you need it for, you just end up memorizing it. I memorized mine between college/loan applications, job applications, credit card applications all at once.

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After_Service_2817@reddit (OP)

Maybe I don't know mine because I just haven't done those things. I keep jobs for many years, never taken a loan, and my bank just gave me a credit card the day I turned 18.

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anneofgraygardens@reddit

I didn't have mine memorized until I applied to college. i had to fill it in a bunch of times.

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After_Service_2817@reddit (OP)

So, what I'm gleaning is maybe it's used only in situations where someone doesn't have a driver's licence?

Maybe this is more common with lower-income or homeless individuals?

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xyzqwa@reddit

Almost everyone, even the very poor, have a driver's license. Alternatively states off State IDs that function the same except you can't use them to drive. Everyone who is can legally work in the United States has a SSN not just citizens.

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QnsConcrete@reddit

Every time voter ID laws are brought up, I always see the argument that it discriminates against people who can’t afford to get a license. Or more specifically, can’t afford to take the time to get a license.

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lalalinoleum@reddit

There are also red states that have closed offices, especially in blue areas. People can't always get to the DMV/RMV. People who don't have access to transportation, money to get a license, need help getting forms and are unable to, it's all road blocks.

That's been happening more since Obama's first term. Hmmmm.

Also having to get an id, unless it's absolutely free, is a poll tax abolished on tht 24th amendmen until Congress licks someones Florsheims with lifts built in.

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QnsConcrete@reddit

Lots of states have no-fee IDs for people that can’t afford them. Not really an excuse.

Yeah you have to go to the DMV once every five to ten years or so. I think that’s extremely reasonable. Voting is a right but also a duty. It requires a little bit of effort.

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xyzqwa@reddit

You have to be functionally incapable of caring for yourself if you can't get an ID. That's why almost every American has one.

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gallivanter11@reddit

A little less than 90% of eligible Americans have a driver's license. Guess who makes up the bulk of those 25 to 30 million people?

Also, about ten percent carry expired licenses and an additional ten percent have incorrect information on theirs, such as non-current address or maiden name. Both may prompt a request for SSN.

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Mediocre_Daikon6935@reddit

Will a huge chunk of them are going to be Amish.

Or Old order Mennonites.

Pure-Insanity-1976@reddit

For the videos that OP is referring to, it's not usually that they are too poor to have a driver's license. It's that their license is suspended from violations (often DUI), but they are driving anyway.

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After_Service_2817@reddit (OP)

This is going to come down to where you live. I live in a walkable city, neither me nor most of my friends have driver's licences; where I live, owning an automobile is like having an albatross around your neck. For rural people, it's a necessity.

It's not a matter of wealth, I could literally walk into a dealership a buy a sportscar with a briefcase full of cash if I wanted to. People where I live just don't get them because everything we need is within easy distance walking, biking, or via public transit.

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NekoMao92@reddit

I have a "friend" that is a drug addict that is homeless, she does have her mom's to have mail sent to, but her mail gets opened and credit cards get activated an used by other family members, so her mail isn't safe, so she currently doesn't have a physical ID card, and most places don't accept a digital copy.

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brink1865@reddit

Its also used when someone claims they don't have an ID and has given a name that doesn't come back as them. I once watched my uncle who had warrants continously lie about who he was until they asked for his ssn and my uncle who was a colossal shit bag gave the ssn for his younger brother who also had warrants

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The_Saddest_Boner@reddit

Yes, it’s only used in situations where no official ID is available.

I watch police body camera videos where police routinely ask people for their social security number as identification.

Weird, I've seen a bunch of those and have never seen that happen. SSN wouldn't even be useful for the police to have, I doubt their lookup system can do anything with it.

Is this commonly used in America? Do people have this memorized?

Not anymore, it used to be the default ID number in the military and colleges, but laws have changed that.

Do people have this memorized?

Older people do, younger people generally need to look it up.

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vermilion-chartreuse@reddit

I have it memorized but I am very protective of it. I won't put on job applications either. Identity theft is real. I once had a random credit card opened in my name and it was a HUGE hassle to get fixed.

I've never been asked for my social during a traffic stop.

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BuddhasGarden@reddit

I would never provide it. Too much opportunity for stealing it and abusing it. Just show your id card.

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Budsygus@reddit

I've never seen a video where they asked for SSN. I do have mine memorized for other reasons, though.

If you don't have a valid ID they ask for your name and birthdate. Anything beyond that you aren't required to provide (in the states I'm aware of), unless they can't verify your identity using name and birthdate.

If you get arrested, though, you are probably required to give your SSN during booking. But not on the street.

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LookItsMyDawg@reddit

They probably said they are not carrying ID and gave a name that didn’t come up on the system. It’s just to verify who they are.

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AnythingFine2445@reddit

I've never been asked for my SS#, nor seen a body cam video of someone being asked.

I don’t think its very common. SSN is more jobs and government forms.

Small_Dog_8699@reddit

I understand that.

Your social security number used to be used even more commonly than it is now. At one time, it was your driver's license number, your patient identification number at virtually every hospital and doctor's office, and even your student ID number, especially in college. With the rise of identity theft over the years, most places stopped casually using it if a different number would suffice, but it's still used for most official legal, financial, and medical purposes.

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AmazingRefrigerator4@reddit

We use it for medical forms every time you go to a bew doctor plus at least once a year to renew paperwork.

We use it every year when filing taxes.

We use it with our employer on paperwork.

We use it with various banking forms.

Sufficient_Cod1948@reddit

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

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SushiGirlRC@reddit

Lol

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shelwood46@reddit

They have gotten away from it, but when I was in college in the 80s, my social security number was my college ID. Now most sites do ask for the last for digits (out of 9).

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Snoo_31427@reddit

I can answer this 😏

A lot of us olders (40+) have it memorized because before identity theft became so prevalent (ie, early internet days) it was not just a SSN. It was my college student number. Anytime I logged in to the school system, that’s what I used. Pretty sure even looking up grades somehow used it as an identifier. It was used like candy, since it was a unique number everyone already had—why go to the trouble of creating a new one for everything else? It was much more widely used as an ID number back then.

Imaginary-Duck1333@reddit

I memorized mine filling out college forms. Why it was needed on a form declining purchase of bed sheets that should have been made out of gold for the price the university was selling them is one of life’s little mysteries. It wasn’t meant to be, but it’s become a de facto ID number. You go to the Dr? Form asks for it. Professors used to put grades up outside the classroom with the last four of your social. Want a bank account? Credit card? Functioning without one is difficult.

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Pinikanut@reddit

I have mine memorized and have since I was in high school. I was always taught it was the most important identifier for myself and it was safer to memorize it than to actually carry the card around. So I memorized it.

I have never once been asked for it by a cop. If I was, I wouldn't give it to them. I wonder if the videos you're seeing are regular cops or if they have something to do with immigration control/ICE?

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cats-n-cafe@reddit

I memorized mine when I was in college because so many things used my SSN as an identifier. You usually don’t need to give the full number, just the last 4.

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1818TusculumSt@reddit

No, it's not commonly used day to day, but memorizing it is a good idea in the event the card is lost or stolen. Have my wife's memorized as well. I would imagine a lot of us also memorize our driver's license number.

So, uh, no I don't think this is super common.

Even for a job, a social security card is only one form of allowable identification, and the other one has to have a picture on it, to make sure you are who you say you are.

Many people keep their SSNs very secret from everyone else around them. I don't even know my husband's SSN, I would have to go into our fire safe and look at his card if I needed it.

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blackhorse15A@reddit

You keep referencing this single video, do you have any other examples?

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FlyAwayJai@reddit

I’ve seen it maybe twice in body cam vids, and it’s only when the person didn’t have their ID or was trying to fake an identity. It’s super uncommon though.

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MyUsername2459@reddit

The only time I have ever seen it in body cam videos is when they think it is a fake identity and they are trying to explore that possibility.

Since most people already have their number memorized, when someone is giving an identity the police think is fake, not knowing your SSN is another things supporting the suspicion.

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ForestOranges@reddit

I’m American. I watch these shows and videos. Cops ask for your social security number when you don’t carry ID. All the people replying saying they’ve never heard of of this have clearly never been pulled over without their ID. Years ago a friend was giving me a ride, got pulled over, and didn’t have ID. The cop asked for his name, DOB, and SSN to identify him and then just let him off with a verbal warning because he had a clean record.

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After_Service_2817@reddit (OP)

I really have to assume they're just ragebaiting or bots. Call me idealistic, but I can't believe people can honestly be that dense.

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ForestOranges@reddit

People are that dense and I got downvoted for sharing a true experience of mine. Many Americans admittedly don’t have to deal with cops much, so they assume the experiences they’ve had are universal.

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Yeah, I’d like you to provide some proof, please.

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After_Service_2817@reddit (OP)

I literally gave a video link and a time stamp to it happening. I provide a source, and then I have to provide another. How many do I need? 2? 3? 6000? Then they will say, "oh that's not a big enough sample size, we need more".

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FunTricky903@reddit

2 will be fine.

Well, where are they?

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jek39@reddit

you can't title your post like that and expect people not to focus on the words. cops in america don't routinely do what you are saying you routinely see. not even ICE does it.

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BoopleSnoot921@reddit

Yes. Provide proof.

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DerthOFdata@reddit

Yes.

Holder of the burden

When two parties are in a discussion and one makes a claim that the other disputes, the one who makes the claim typically has a burden of proof to justify or substantiate that claim, especially when it challenges a perceived status quo.[1] This is also stated in Hitchens's razor, which declares that "what may be asserted without evidence may be dismissed without evidence." Carl Sagan proposed a related criterion: "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence".

burlingk@reddit

The card itself literally says not to use it that way. \^\^;

Honestly most of the ways we use SSNs violate the actual written policy.

But, to be blunt, unless you are in the military you aren't really expected to remember it. And you aren't supposed to carry the card on you anyway.

BUT, if you DO know it, they can use it to do a background check a lot more easily. So it might speed things up. \^\^; Unless you have warrants. Then it will NOT speed things up.

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Gunslinger_247@reddit

Cop here, I only ask for social when someone doesn't have their ID on them. People love to give fake names.

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Dpg2304@reddit

I have it memorized, but have never been asked to provide it other than for a new job, government paperwork, medical insurance, etc.

Unusual but in this current day and age when some law enforcement is coordinated with ICE operations it may be a way to filter for undocumented persons?

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FauxmingAtTheMouth@reddit

I’ve never been asked by a cop, but I have mine, my wife’s, and my two kids’ socials memorized.

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Odd-End-1405@reddit

Never been asked for it when pulled over but have it memorized. Sheesh. Have my spouse’s memorized also.

You need to use it in multiple arenas other than traffic infractions.

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IKnowItCanSeeMe@reddit

It's pretty common to run a warrant check. Don't just guess if you aren't sure, because then they might try to get you with providing false info.

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Csherman92@reddit

I have it memorized but I’ve never been asked when I was pulled over.

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Living_Fig_6386@reddit

SSN isn’t ID in the US. Americans are not required to carry ID unless doing something that requires that they are permitted to do it (driving, for instance, requires a driver’s license). Otherwise, the police can ask for your name.

Most people have their SSN memorized because it’s used for tax purposes (and, by extension, for everything reportable to tax authority). However, we also don’t give it out unnecessarily because it can be used as a component of identity theft.

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alt-number-3-1415926@reddit

I didn't know mine for a long time until I was 19 when a job I got had me use it so much and they got mad at me for looking at my card so much that they pretty much forced me to memorize it, and so I did, and I remember it to this day. If I didn't have that job, I would not know my number.

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Alpizzle@reddit

I work with criminal justice information and look people up every day. It is more likely they will ask for your ID, but if you do not provide that a SSN is a unique way to ID you that most adults do know in the US and all citizens will have. We absolutely can search by it, but In my office we tend to start with name and DOB. It is also possible there are duplicates when names and DOBs are close. The systems I use have a little wiggle room for typos, I guess. I've also seen twins with very close names like mike and mark. When you query one you get both. The naughty one of them even used his brothers name once and their socials were 1 digit apart (happens when assigned pre-2011) so it was a bit of a mess.

If you cannot provide ID somehow, that is a crime in some places. Even if it isn't, they are probably asking because they suspect you of one and they definitely can detain you for some time without charging you while thet figure it out.

Back to the original question: SSN was used in the past in the US for a lot of things it probably should not have been like employee ID numbers. I think this is one reason most of us know them.

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meenadu@reddit

I would never tell a cop my social security number. And I’ve never had one ask me for it.

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Optimal_Shirt6637@reddit

That’s never happened

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DoodleBobSenior@reddit

I watch police body cam footage all the time. I don’t recall hearing them ask for it unless they say that they have no physical forms of id on them, then they ask for anything to be able to identify them

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dew57nurse@reddit

You need to have your SSN memorized in the US bc it is used as ID. But most places only ask for the last 4 digits. I've never heard of the police asking for it. But I haven't been pulled over since the 70s. So I don't know current practices. I would never give a cop my full SSN but they can have the last 4 digits I guess.

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Aggravating_Bend_622@reddit

No you haven't seen videos where police "routinely" ask people for the social security numbers, why do people just make shit up on reddit???

Police ask for your ID which for most people will be their drivers license or state ID not social security number.

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After_Service_2817@reddit (OP)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GtnSFR2Ess

I mean, he doesn't ask "show me your ID" or "show me your driver's, licence", he asks, "what's your social?", like it's something anyone would know. There are MANY such videos on body cam channels.

I don't understand the hostility, I'm literally just a foreigner who doesn't know how things work in America asking Americans a question. I thought that was the whole point of the sub?

Never had police ask for social security #. Driver's license and car registration only.

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ForestOranges@reddit

It’s when you don’t have your license on you that they might ask you

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kipkiphoray@reddit

Cops would ask for an ID, or if you're driving, your driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance... But not your SSN.

Most Americans do have their SSN memorized, it's used on a bunch of paperwork (usually anything to do with government records, employment, finance... Stuff like that.)

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MorticiaLlyn@reddit

When you get pulled over, they request your driver's license, proof of auto insurance, and vehicle registration.

On cop shows, I've seen them ask for social security number if someone says they don't have a driver's license.

I think most people have their SS# memorized.

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damboy99@reddit

I watch a lot of police body cam footage from all over the US, and have never once seen or heard a cop ask for someone social security number.

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Ryan1869@reddit

I have it memorized, but i've never been asked for it as part of a traffic stop, just when filling out official documents. Years ago my college used it as our student ID number, but that's since been made illegal due to identity theft.

Not a cop but work for the ambulance service. We occasionally use it as an alternative/confirmatory identifier when looking someone up in our system or to register them at the hospital.

Name and DoB from a verified ID are preferred but if they don’t have ID and spelling/DoB is in doubt then a social will ensure we pull the correct records

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Pancancake@reddit

🤣 police officers don’t ask you for your SSN. But every American usually has their SSN memorized. I also have my driver’s license number memorized.

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EleanorCamino@reddit

There are a few states where the social once was used as the license number. Not sure if they still do, but that might be part of the reasoning.

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OkManufacturer767@reddit

Memorized yes.

It's illegal for police to ask for it.

AmItheDrama85@reddit

Yes we all have it memorized. As far as I know cops don’t typically ask for it. And if one asked me for mine I would probably pull out my phone and google if I have to give it to them because it’s a private thing that you don’t just tell anyone.

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SassyGirl0202@reddit

I’ve never been asked my SS#. I do have it and my drivers license # memorized.

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sanguinefire12@reddit

I do remember that social security numbers used to be on driver's licenses as a person driver's license number.... When I first got my licence it was like this. That was in 1998.

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FrenchEighty69@reddit

I've had it happen when I didn't have my driver's license on me. Forgot why, maybe I didn't bring it to a pool or had lost my wallet or something and we ended up being too rowdy. They ask for the numbe, which I don't have that memorized. I guess 'cause it's not used frequently and I could always just pull it out of my pocket. So I would just tell them I don't know it but could give them my social.

My little sister did throw a way too wild party once when she and her friends were 19 or 20. Cops showed up, she claimed to be 21 but didn't drive so had no ID. They asked for her social. Said she didn't know. They were like, "You're 21 and don't know your social?" Went south pretty fast after that.

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DrBlankslate@reddit

I don't know anyone who doesn't have their SSN memorized. That said, it is not something police are supposed to ask for.

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CosyBeluga@reddit

I wouldn’t give a police officer my ssn

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Beetso@reddit

I watch a lot of police videos and I have literally never seen a single one where a police officer asks for a social security number. In fact I don't believe you have ever seen that. I think he must have been confused. They might ask for a driver's license number, but that's it.

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TsundereLoliDragon@reddit

Didn't believe our answers in the other sub? No, this isn't a remotely common thing to be asked. But many people do know their SSN.

Police have no right to ask for your SSN, and you should never give it to them. I have also literally never heard of a cop asking for it. The classic pull-over request is "license and registration" which is obviously your driver's license and your vehicle registration (which also seems redundant since they've probably already run your plates.) Can you link to a video of them asking for social security number? I've literally never heard that, but it's a big country.

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Interesting-Long-534@reddit

Most Americans have it memorized because it’s used as a security protocol for a lot of things. But I’ve never had it be requested from a law enforcement officer.

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Ok-Opportunity-574@reddit

Same reason your bank, employer, tax pro, etc use it.

There are a lot of people in the US. Enough people that sometimes names and birthdates come up with multiple matches. To avoid confusion they will sometimes use a social.

trappedslider@reddit

A quick google brought this up:
Police officers are generally permitted to ask for your Social Security Number (SSN) during an investigation or when you do not have another valid form of identification, but you are typically not legally required to provide it during a standard traffic stop or casual encounter

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khauser24@reddit

I do know my ssn. You need it all the time, employer, credit application, checking account, taxes.

I am a tax accountant. There are a lot of people below the age of 30 that do not have their social security number memorized. There seems to be a dividing line and I’m assuming it’s when they stopped being used for student IDs at school.

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distracted_x@reddit

I don't think police normally ask this but yes most people have their ssn memorized. We have to use it for many many things in our lives.

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lord_scuttlebutt@reddit

If the suspect doesn't have ID and the cop thinks they're lying about their identity, the cop will sometimes ask for the SSN, though more commonly they'll ask for the date of birth and their full name.

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Santasreject@reddit

Only is going to be asked if they don’t have their ID as most people haven’t memorized their ID number.

The social security number in the US was supposed to be VERY limited use for just social security but then everyone started using it as a unique identifier as every citizen has one but may not have any other unique identifier. At one point even airplane mechanics had to use it as their sign off on work.

It’s become the biggest joke, “oh you need to protect this number and not share it” … “oh but you have to use it for everything from medical registrations to bank accounts to getting basic utilities… but don’t share it… except to every fucking company you interact with…”

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Same-Author4016@reddit

Never been asked to provide it by police but most Americans that are adults have it memorized. I know my social and my husbands SSN. We have to use it when applying for jobs, filing taxes, completing insurance documents, and many other instances. Every government function tracks through SSN

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Wonderful_Adagio9346@reddit

Why would a memorized SSN work as ID? The actual card doesn't... It's just your name and number on a piece of paper.

most people don't have the number memorized, nor do they have their ss card on them usually. I memorized mine decades ago because when I was applying to university, housing, insurance, banking, etc. I needed it all the time. Concerns over identity theft have significantly reduced the places/entities asking in the years since.

Typically, if we are stopped by police, they ask us for a state issued picture id. SS is NOT a picture ID. My SS card is in my fire proof safe at home. The only time I've taken it out in years, was to show to HR when I started a new job. If you're driving, legally, you need a driver's license.

What you've noticed seems very odd to me, maybe it's specific to a certain area? Or were they asking after someone failed to produce the more typical form of ID? Or is this some new ICE nonsense?

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After_Service_2817@reddit (OP)

I think it's used when someone doesn't have ID or lies about it.

I think that a SSN is also just used for far more things than the Canadian equivalent is.

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PersistantFpoon@reddit

Entering the last four digits of your social is also very common in the US

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NekoMao92@reddit

Never been asked for by SSN by LEO, if you have ever filled out a bunch of job applications, you tend to memorize it through repetition.

My SS says specifically NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION. I have never been asked by a cop for my SS number.

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pikkdogs@reddit

No the police would never ask you your ssn.
Yes everyone has theirs memorized. You need it for government, work, and financial forms.

The only thing I could think of is if they were ice agents trying to find illegals.

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Pop-19502020@reddit

I...don't know what that has to do with my question.

But yeah, it sucks. People looked at 14 years of Trudeau and the Liberals and said, "more please!" SMH.

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LongRodVaughnDong@reddit

It’s carney. What a horrible PM he is lmfaoooo

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PowerfulFunny5@reddit

I memorized my SSN in college because it used to be requested a lot. At the time I think it was listed as a student ID in some early systems before they realized that wasn’t good for ID protection.

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Silly_Guidance_8871@reddit

It's effectively become your primary identifying number in the States — despite the fact it's not supposed to be used that way (by law, which may have been repealed — I can't be fucked to check which, as it's de facto your "citizen identifier"). I'd say the vast majority of Americans have theirs memorized — it's used any time you apply for a job/loan/credit card, or file with the Federal government (and often when filing with one's State government).

However, with respect to dealing with police, all they can demand is some form of valid* identification, of which a driver's license or passport would generally suffice. For traffic stops, it'd be: (a) driver's license, (b) vehicle registration, and (c) proof of insurance.

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Icy-Whale-2253@reddit

If you’re an adult who doesn’t have your own social security number memorized something is terribly wrong

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Honest_Road17@reddit

They are allowed to ASK for just about anything. It is illegal for the cops to demand your social security number subject to arrest.

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whitecollarredneck@reddit

It happens occasionally, but not very often. Every time I see it happen, it's because the person doesn't have any form of ID with them, the name and date of birth that they provided doesn't match any records, and the cops are trying to figure out who they're talking to. In my line of work, it usually comes up with people who are lying about their identity to the police.

A common hypothetical example would be John Doe is driving a car and gets pulled over. John Doe knows that he has an active arrest warrant for skipping court. The cop asks for Doe's license, and he says he forgot it at home. The cop asks for his name and date of birth. John Doe say "Jim Smith, April 20 1985". The police run a records check and nothing comes back. They confront Mr. Doe again and he says "Actually I changed my name a while back and jt should be Jim Wilson, April 20, 1985". The police run that info again and find nothing. They come back and ask for his social to try to find something.

I also run into people who provide a sibling's name, birthday, and SSN to try to avoid getting arrested. It doesn't usually work.

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brittlej@reddit

Ive had my son memorized since 6th grade, and needed to know the last 4 digits as it was my lunch pin. Every adult i know has their ssn memorized. You use it often enough that its good to know: file taxes, get a loan, open accounts, drivers license, etc., but dont need it on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis.

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BackgroundPublic2529@reddit

No peace officer should ever ask for or need your social security number unless it has specific relevance to an investigation.

That said, MOST cops or government flunkies are probably not aware of the following.

If you are a veteran of the U.S. armed forces (all branches), you should absolutely be aware because it was covered in basic training BECAUSE they ask over and over again. If you don't remember, you weren't paying attention.

Wording was this or similar every time: "Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974..."

Here are the rules:

When a government agency (federal, state, or local) asks for your Social Security Number (SSN), the Privacy Act of 1974 requires them to provide a disclosure statement containing three specific pieces of information:

Mandatory vs. Voluntary: Whether disclosing your SSN is legally required or optional.
Legal Authority: The specific statute, executive order, or regulation that authorizes them to ask for it.How It Will Be Used.
The purpose for which the SSN will be used (e.g., identity verification, tax processing, or benefit eligibility).

Are there consequences of refusal? Maybe. Probably not though.

If the disclosure does not indicate that the SSN is mandatory under federal or state law, providing it is entirely voluntary. In such cases, the agency cannot deny you services, rights, benefits nor arrest you for refusing to share your number.

After_Service_2817@reddit (OP)

So it seems to be a much more commonly used form of ID than in Canada. We have separate Health Cards here, bank cards, etc. I've only ever checked mine when I start a new job, and I tend to keep the same employer for years or decades, and break it out once a year for taxes.

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AshDenver@reddit

I’ve been pulled over more than once, less than 20 times, and never once been asked for my SSN.

But yes, we have it memorized. It’s used for a stupid-amount of things, usually though “May I get the last four digits of your SSN to verify your identity?”

As a result, many of us memorized all 9 digits just to be able to rattle off the last 4.

Doctor/dentist/insurance offices and such will ask for the full 9 digits.

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Oomlotte99@reddit

I have never heard of or experienced this. It’s absolutely not a go-to for ID in situations where ID is required. Usually you need a photo ID when an ID is required.

People do know their SSNs, though. You provide it to employers for your new-hire paperwork so you can be taxed (but you need a photo ID as well). They also use it to run credit checks for financial transactions. I have never seen or experienced it for traffic stops but I see people saying they ask it as an alternate, which is funny because they’re not running your SSN, so people really could say anything so long as it’s nine numbers, lol 🤷🏽‍♀️

I guess that’s not totally true because the SSN first three numbers used to align with the region someone was born in so the cop may be able to surmise it’s been fabricated. They’re all randomized since 2011, however. Idk. Usually most people have some form of ID that shows who they are and other identifying info.

SSN just seems like such an awful way to ID someone unless they’re already in the system, maybe? Idk. There is no picture. Like even for work or loans or whatever you also have to provide photo ID to prove your identity. An SSN won’t stand alone in a lot of situations.

They should only ask if you don’t have an ID with you. It’s usually a last resort if other info provided to them is not matching. They are able to run our SSNs to verify identity.

Back in I think the 90’s, most states that were using your social as your driver’s license number, stopped. I do not know if every state used it as such at one time. But no states do now. However, it is on file with these records, so they can easily pull up a pic of you and if you have warrants, are on probation or parole (on paper), or other things that are relevant for them to do their job.

I personally have never been asked. But I have seen it being asked on some showed like On Patrol Live and in person when I worked local news.

Refusing to identify yourself and lying about your identity is illegal. This is the best way to get to the bottom of things.

You usually memorize it when you first start working, bc it goes on so many forms.

After_Service_2817@reddit (OP)

Yeah I think the difference is we just use other forms of ID in Canada to do different things. But I also don't have any of those ID numbers memorized. I mean, that's what the card is for, so I don't have to.

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SabreLee61@reddit

The weirdest thing is that everyone is saying cops never ask for a person’s SSN.

Like you OP, I’ve seen countless bodycam videos where cops asks for it, usually of a suspect who can’t produce an ID and the cop senses he’s being given a fake name.

Unsurprisingly, the suspect always claims not to have it memorized. But virtually every adult knows their SSN.

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hydrated_purple@reddit

I would love to see any video where a police officer asked for social security card.

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After_Service_2817@reddit (OP)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GtnSFR2Ess

I think most people my age (40) had their SSN memorized by the end of elementary school, because it was used as an identifier on year end tests.

Usually cops only ask for it if you don’t have your drivers license on you, and don’t have your drivers license number memorized. They’ll also get full name and date of birth.

In the U.S., your social security number is requested from time to time for various reasons as others have noted. In some cases it's just the last four digits. For example to verify a credit card I recently received I had to call and give the last four digits of my social security number (sometimes they'll say "can I get your social"- which sounds very odd to me).

I have always had my number memorized- but some people don't.

Another factor is that for a long period of time (think it's changed?) the first part of the number was connected to location.

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akaispirit@reddit

I do have it memorized because I needed it like every step of the way when applying for college but I've never had a cop ask for it.

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Major_Barnacle_2212@reddit

I think most people have their social security memorized - but we wouldn’t give it to a cop, because they don’t need it to look us up in the department of motor vehicles database. When we were issued our drivers license we probably gave it to GET that drivers license card to tie to our ID, and that’s all we need.

I've never seen or heard of such a thing.

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lokasathetv@reddit

People do have it memorized and police mostly use it when you dont have your id or they think your lying about who you are.

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Reader124-Logan@reddit

Decades ago in Georgia, our SSN could be used as our Driver’s License number. It was also our student ID. The Feds said that the states couldn’t use our SSN that way, so it was phased out.

It’s used for employment, medical and banking/taxes.

I think most people have it memorized. We don’t usually carry the cards around. My mom remembers hers, mine, my dad’s & my stepdads.

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CrashDisaster@reddit

I've had it memorized since the 90s cause it was our identifying number in college. We were spouting that info off to start to talk to anyone in Admin or get access places.

Dangerous-Safe-4336@reddit

I think most people have it memorized. Although I'm no expert on police procedures, it doesn't sound like anything I've ever heard of. I'd expect them to ask a birth date instead. That's on your license, and you should know it.

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Both_Painter_9186@reddit

Idk what you’re watching. While most adults know their social security numbers, cops rarely ask for it. They ask for your drivers license or identification, which is usually your drivers license. They usually have the ability to look people up, but a typical street cop isn’t asking a typical suspect/person they interact with for their social.

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GhostWatcher007@reddit

No, they don't. They ask for your driver's license, registration and proof of insurance when stopped by police.

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zinky8@reddit

Everyone has it memorized. Have never heard of police asking for it. They would have no reason to.

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No_Information_8973@reddit

Most people do have their SSN memorized.

I've got my SSN memorized but I've never been asked to use it as a basic identification. I'm not entirely sure how comfortable I'd be giving it to a police officer when asked.

As for what it's used for, most government forms and stuff ask you for it, I never really put much thought into it. I do distinctly remember my Father telling me to memorize it when I finally got old enough for me to need to know it.

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