# Let's get with the program? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [March 5, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-get-with-the-program/531433 "2010-03-05T16:40:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Danlb0y](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Danlb0y](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danlb0y)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-get-with-the-program/531433/1 "2010-03-05T16:40:44Z")
I think the question concerning why the old social security cards warn that the card should not to be used as a general ID was a good question. It is your social security account number and I have always been perplexed as to why anyone would think it would be a good idea to give that out for anything other than Social Security business? Lets use our credit card numbers? Or, how about using our checking account number? I guess I got with the government program and all I have to show for it is a trashed credit rating due to the theft of this number. I also have the cost of trying to fix this violation of my privacy that this wonderful number has caused knowing that in the end I will never see a dime from this account when I reach retirement. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-get-with-the-program/531433/2 "2010-03-05T20:37:34Z")
It’s always helpful to give a link to the column you are referencing, in this case: > **[Why does my old social security card say it can’t be used as ID?](https://www.straightdope.com/21341325/why-does-my-old-social-security-card-say-it-can-t-be-used-as-id)** Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Board.