The social security number has been in use since 1935, or 80 years.
Initially it was clearly printed on every social security card issued that the number WAS NOT to be used for Identification Purposes.
However we all know that banks, other financial institutions, and most businesses have been ignoring this admonition.
Since the dynamic growth of the internet and online business transactions, the social security number has been the target of many “hacks”.
It is time to get rid of the social security number altogether.
There are very efficient biometric scanners that can be used to verify a person’s identity.
Banks and other businesses and institutions need to start registering the clients and/or customer’s thumb-prints and use them to verify identities.
People who wish to place orders over the internet can purchase a thumb-print scanner very cheaply.
These scanners are in the 50.00 to 200.00 dollar price range.
Businesses that process credit and ATM debit cards can use the same scanners.
Using the thumb print is a fraud proof way of identity verification, since the
scanned thumb print MUST be matched with the issuing institution’s database. Therefore even if the thumb-print database is hacked,
it’s useless because the criminals have NO ACCESS to the person’s real thumb-print.
Obviously standards should be put in place to insure all thumb-print scanners adhere to the agreed standards.
e.g. blood-pressure and temperature sensors, to insure a live human thumb is being scanned.
All of the technology to verify identities through biometrics exist today, as “Off the Shelf” products.
The prices on such biometrics will drop as their use becomes wide spread.
