June 27, 2005

Employers Can Ask Applicants for SSN, But Better to Wait Until Firm Job Offer

It is legal for employers to require Social Security numbers on job applications, but some privacy-conscious job hunters bristle at revealing that information before a job offer is made. Indeed, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, an organization that advocates for privacy interests, advises job applicants to disclose their Social Security numbers only after they have been given job offers.

Doing a number on privacy, Miami Herald, June 27, 2005.