Americans worried about social security numbers

Many Americans are worried that their social security numbers will be stolen and used to steal their identity, a recent survey has found.

Identity theft through the internet or mail is a major worry for many in the US, the survey from Consumer Reports discovered. A full 89 percent of Americans would support government initiatives to cut down on the use of social security numbers.

Jeannine Kenney, a policy analyst in Washington, DC, with Consumers Union, commented: "The widespread use of social security numbers has made it easier for crooks to commit fraud and contributes to an estimated ten million cases of identity theft every year." Though they were first created for the retirement benefit system, social security numbers have grown to be used as a national identity system, Ms Kenney added.

There is a need for more regulation on who can ask for the numbers, she continued. The Social Security Act was created in 1935. Click here for information on digital products and services.