How do you feel about SSN and websites?

[Stiganator]

So I am looking to make a website that is a pro "we the people" kind of a site. I need an identifier that is unique to a citizen of the USA, but SSN is the only thing that comes to mind. Plus I wouldn't want to give my SSN to some random site. Is my best bet to just check IPs or something of that nature to keep results from being spoofed (I know its a big stretch to assume my site is important enough to even get targetted, but best practices and such).

 

[warmodder]

Why would you need to identify people like that? Couldn't you just have them sign up with a name and address like a normal site and save it in a database of some sort?

 

[Epic Fail]

 

[TheShiz]

good luck with that one, real companies have a hard enough time with this. you're right, SSN is your best bet, but you're also right that no one that is sane will give it to you. so you have to go on honesty, and there ain't much of it going around.

 

[anxi80]

honestly, i dont believe just asking for a ssn is enough. you'll also be needing their birthdate and mothers maiden name.

 

[IronWing]

Here's one: 342-43-5821. Here's another: 421-45-2363. See the problem?

 

[George P Burdell]

Originally posted by: ironwing
Here's one: 342-43-5821. Here's another: 421-45-2363. See the problem?

/thread

 

[Itchrelief]

You don't even have to be a citizen to have a social security number.

 

[compnovice]

Originally posted by: ironwing
Here's one: 342-43-5821. Here's another: 421-45-2363. See the problem?

Hey thats mine!! :|

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: compnovice

Originally posted by: ironwing
Here's one: 342-43-5821. Here's another: 421-45-2363. See the problem?

Hey thats mine!! :|

Prove it. What's you mama's maiden name?

 

[Kirby]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the SSN was originally not supposed to be used for identification. Anybody else heard this?

 

[George P Burdell]

Originally posted by: nkgreen
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the SSN was originally not supposed to be used for identification. Anybody else heard this?

Look it up on Wikipedia