lady_karelia

It is illegal for anyone outside the government, your employer, or your bank to require a social security number for any reason. Try it: next time someone legitimate asks for your ss#, say you'd rather not give it out - they'll accept another form of identification every time. A renter who requires an ss# is breaking the law.

How do I know? Well, remember that non-American husband of mine? There's a loooooong story there.