No SSN yet after 4 weeks

[Toledospod 0]

IMO you're both right, it seems(from what I've been reading on here anyway)that it's very much hit and miss whether you get your SSN as a result of filling in the relevent box on the DS-230. I think that it is much the fault of the DHS but at the same time it looks like this system is relatively new in which the SSA issues SSN's to new immgrant's in this way(am I right?). Maybe the SSA and DHS are having teething troubles in communicating with each other? This is what is supposed to happen according to the SSA:

Process for applying for SSN during visa application

Well, I phoned SSA and after going through 2 minutes of recorded information and 'Press X for this' and 'Press Y for that', I then have to wait 10 minutes to speak to a representative. She tells me that I have to speak to my local SSA office, so that was a wasted phone call. I call the local office in NJ and after waiting another 10 minutes, I get through to a lady who tells me that the only way to check my status is to visit the office. So, after all that, it looks like I am going to have to wait until we go back to the US on 10th July and then I'll visit my local office, tell them I've moved and either re-apply for my SSN or see if it was issued by NJ and hasn't arrived.

One problem could be that people don't follow directions.

"If you answered “yes” to being assigned an SSN on form DS-230 when applying for an immigrant visa and you have not receive your SSN card within 3 weeks of being admitted to the United States, suggest that you go into your local Social Security office."

I see what you're saying, but that's not what the advice in the link above says. It says:

Call SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, if you don't get your card within 3 weeks of being admitted to the U.S.

That's a bit of a contradicton! Not much point in the SSA putting that there if all they're gonna do is say go and visit your local office.

[Artegal 1]

Well the USCIS, IRS, and SSA do not share information. Its really ignorant now-a-days too--considering that the SSN is your identity and its readily stolen everyday. The SSA won't even share data on misused and stolen SSN with the USCIS (ICE), or the IRS. Consequently, the real SSN holder has to go through a lengthy and troublesome process to clear their name. IRS bills the SSN holder for income they never received. The person making the income is either an undocumented alien or an identity theif who wants new credit, etc. And here you are stuck--the IRS, USCIS, and SSA won't coordinate the efforts to enforce the law and track down these people abusing the SSN. Over 500,000 known SSN fraud cases and the SSA won't share that data with ICE or other law enforcement. The victim is referred to the FTC--big law enforcement arm there!

Why don't the SSA share and cooperate with the fraud cases-- the SSA sites privacy concerns! Oh my god give me a break--with the Patriot Act and Government personnel taking our precious data home on unsecured laptops when did we ever have any privacy. Furthermore it has been routine to share SSN on applications, US Mail in the Military, is on any financial document (paycheck, bill, or account statement) and in credit reports, it was the Student ID numbers and Driver's License numbers before in my state--so where is the big secret.

The VA let 26.5 Million SSN get stolen. Equifax let another 2.5 million SSN get stolen, and this is just two recent high-profile cases.

Edited June 21, 2006 by Artegal

[Toledospod 0]

Well the USCIS, IRS, and SSA do not share information. Its really ignorant now-a-days too--considering that the SSN is your identity and its readily stolen everyday. The SSA won't even share data on misused and stolen SSN with the USCIS (ICE), or the IRS. Consequently, the real SSN holder has to go through a lengthy and troublesome process to clear their name. IRS bills the SSN holder for income they never received. The person making the income is either an undocumented alien or an identity theif who wants new credit, etc. And here you are stuck--the IRS, USCIS, and SSA won't coordinate the efforts to enforce the law and track down these people abusing the SSN. Over 500,000 known SSN fraud cases and the SSA won't share that data with ICE or other law enforcement. The victim is referred to the FTC--big law enforcement arm there!

Why don't the SSA share and cooperate with the fraud cases-- the SSA sites privacy concerns! Oh my god give me a break--with the Patriot Act and Government personnel taking our precious data home on unsecured laptops when did we ever have any privacy. Furthermore it has been routine to share SSN on applications, US Mail in the Military, is on any financial document (paycheck, bill, or account statement) and in credit reports, it was the Student ID numbers and Driver's License numbers before in my state--so where is the big secret.

The VA let 26.5 Million SSN get stolen. Equifax let another 2.5 million SSN get stolen, and this is just two recent high-profile cases.

Blimey! Didn't know any of that! So there really isn't any point to having the option of applying for a SSN on the DS-230 I guess. Seems like no-one's happy to share information, though it looks like sometimes they share stuff, as some people on here have said they've got their SSN as a result of completing the section on the DS-230. Bit messed up ig you ask me!

[I'm Gone 60]

Well the USCIS, IRS, and SSA do not share information. Its really ignorant now-a-days too--considering that the SSN is your identity and its readily stolen everyday. The SSA won't even share data on misused and stolen SSN with the USCIS (ICE), or the IRS. Consequently, the real SSN holder has to go through a lengthy and troublesome process to clear their name. IRS bills the SSN holder for income they never received. The person making the income is either an undocumented alien or an identity theif who wants new credit, etc. And here you are stuck--the IRS, USCIS, and SSA won't coordinate the efforts to enforce the law and track down these people abusing the SSN. Over 500,000 known SSN fraud cases and the SSA won't share that data with ICE or other law enforcement. The victim is referred to the FTC--big law enforcement arm there!

Why don't the SSA share and cooperate with the fraud cases-- the SSA sites privacy concerns! Oh my god give me a break--with the Patriot Act and Government personnel taking our precious data home on unsecured laptops when did we ever have any privacy. Furthermore it has been routine to share SSN on applications, US Mail in the Military, is on any financial document (paycheck, bill, or account statement) and in credit reports, it was the Student ID numbers and Driver's License numbers before in my state--so where is the big secret.

The VA let 26.5 Million SSN get stolen. Equifax let another 2.5 million SSN get stolen, and this is just two recent high-profile cases.

The Privacy Act only allows SSA to disclose SSN information in specific situation, so Congress needs to amend the Privacy Act.

The Social Security number (SSN) was established in 1936 for the purpose of tracking the wages of workers covered under the social security system. Because of its use as a unique identifier, the SSN is one of the most sensitive pieces of personal information in SSA’s records. It is the key to identifying and retrieving most of the highly personal and sensitive information SSA maintains about individuals.

Over the decades, the use of the SSN has expanded greatly beyond the original purpose for its establishment. In fact, it has become the identifier of choice by all levels of government and the private and commercial sectors as a numerical key to their recordkeeping systems. In some cases, Federal (and State) laws have been enacted that authorize the use of the SSN for a specific purpose or purposes. In the vast majority of cases, however, there are no Federal laws that either prohibit or authorize the use of the SSN. Consequently, governmental and nongovernmental entities use the SSN as a personal identifier for lawful purposes because of its ready availability as a unique identifier. Some government agencies use the SSN for identification and administrative purposes. The private sector uses the SSN for similar purposes, generally, without restraint. For example, the private sector may refuse service or credit, deny admission or membership, etc., to anyone unwilling to furnish his/her SSN. There generally is no provision in any Federal law governing or limiting the use, or the disclosure of the SSN by the private sector such as businesses and organizations, except for fraudulent use of the SSN.

SSA has no authority over other entities’ collection and use of the SSN. Although the SSN is widely used, SSA policy is to disclose the SSN and SSN information only under limited circumstances as allowed or required by Federal laws such as the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552a(B)), the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552), and the Social Security Act (e.g., 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(a); 405©; and 1320b-7, and the Agency’s disclosure regulations (20 C.F.R. §§ 401 and 402).

All Federal, State, or local government agencies that collect and use the SSN for identification purposes must adhere to the requirements in section 7 of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552a, Note). SSA does not have any enforcement or other authority for Section 7 of the Privacy Act. Such authority rests with the Office of Management and Budget.

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0203325001

GN 03325.001 Disclosure and Verification of Social Security Numbers (SSN) Without Consent

[Toledospod 0]

WHOOOOSSSSHHHH

That all just went right over my head

Too much information for me I sorta got the idea though

You guys are good you know!!

[Artegal 1]

And the law to make the SSN and system more secure has been sitting in committee for over a year.

I guess protecting us from gay marriages, ficitious WMD, abusive visa petitioners, bird flu, and vulgar images or language on TV, Radio, Recordings, and Film are far more important, than protecting us from identity theft. The SSN is more valid then your name.