Why do companies and the government still use social security numbers to primarily identify individuals?

[CoolTech]

It would seem that a prudent society wouldve created a better system a long time ago. I mean how easy it is to mess up someones credit is absurd. At one point at a previous employer I had access to 50,000 peoples information, and to think how many menial jobs have employees with such access. Where is the new system which might reference the SSN from another number, similar to how you can create a temporary credit card number that charges your real credit card number.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Probably not until something really messes up

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Probably not until something really messes up

or around where I work, even that doesen't change the culture.

edit: and I guess its safe to say this now- even after the feds came down on some parts of our org....

 

[AreaCode707]

Where I work the company creates a personnel number for each employee and that is what is primarily used to identify the employee. SSN is kept for background check purposes, and HR sometimes will use it as a verification key if needed. Otherwise, the personnel number is it.