Man Refuses To Share His SSN, Girlfriend Insists It’s Non-Negotiable, Silence Follows

In a world where crime is rife, we do need to be vigilant about who we allow into our lives. And it goes without saying that this extends to who we date, live with or marry. Some people check up on potential partners by having a peek at their social media accounts. Some fish for information from mutual friends. And others follow their instincts when it comes to trusting a new flame.

One man shared how his girlfriend took it quite a few leaps further. They’d been dating for a year when she suddenly demanded his social security number, claiming a friend was going to do a “background check” on him for her safety. When the guy refused to share his SSN, his girlfriend accused him of being insensitive. She hasn’t spoken to him since. Now, he’s wondering if he was right to be suspicious.

The woman claimed she’d previously dated an abusive man who turned out to be a criminal leading a double life

Couple discussing social security number background check on a sofa in a living room.

Image credits: varyapigu (not the actual photo)

While he understood her need to feel safe, her current boyfriend didn’t believe she needed his SSN to do so

Text about a girlfriend wanting a boyfriend's social security number for a background check.

Text discusses ex-boyfriend's double life and criminal charges, raising concerns over social security number background check.

Text message discussing a girlfriend asking for her boyfriend's social security number for a background check.

Boyfriend explains why he won't share Social Security number for girlfriend's background check.

Woman appearing stressed at home, related to concerns about a social security number and background check.

Image credits: YuriArcursPeopleimages (not the actual photo)

Text about girlfriend discussing boyfriend’s social security number for a background check.

Text about trust and personal information, emphasizing caution over sharing a Social Security Number.

Text describing a girlfriend requesting her boyfriend's social security number for a background check.

Text discussing trust issues related to a girlfriend wanting her boyfriend’s social security number for a background check.

Image credits: Alarmed_Sorbet8101

Identity theft is on the rise, with consumers losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023 alone

Disclosing your social security number to anyone increases your risk of becoming the target of identity theft and fraud. Shady criminals and syndicates can use your SSN to gain access to bank accounts, credit cards, driving records, tax and employment histories, and other personal information.

The Federal Trade Commission is the government body tasked with protecting American consumers. The FTC sounded the alarm last year when it released data that showed fraud losses had reached an all-time high of 10 billion dollars in 2023.

Consumers fell victim to investment scams, with more than $4.6 billion of their money handed over unknowingly. It was a 21% increase from the year before. “The second highest reported loss amount came from imposter scams, with losses of nearly $2.7 billion reported,” noted the FTC in a press release. It added that in 2023, consumers lost more money to bank transfers and cryptocurrency than all other methods combined.

The FTC said one in four people reported losing money to scams. And it put the median loss at around $500 per person. Email was the top method of contact for scammers in 2023, with many shady characters pretending to be a business or government agency in order to steal money.

One of the best ways to protect yourself and your identity is to guard your SSN closely. “For better or worse, you are the gatekeeper,” warns Adam Levin, chairman and founder of CyberScout. “The person most responsible for shielding your Social Security Number is you. Therefore, your mission is to limit, as best you can, the universe of those who gain access to it.”

Levin says you should never hand over your SSN blindly. But rather, do the following if anyone ever asks for that information…

Pause and think about whether there is a legitimate need for the SSN. Some places or people ask for it without actually needing it. But there are certain government departments that really do require the confidential information. For example, the IRS, the Department of Motor Vehicles, or the military.

Levin also suggests negotiating with the person who asked. You could instead offer your driver’s license or account number as a form of identification.

Finally, if you do decide to share your SSN, get the assurance that there are strict security measures in place to protect your personal information.

Person in a blue hoodie at a computer, possibly involved in background check related to social security numbers.

Image credits: DC_Studio (not the actual photo)

“Change your locks and password and never look back”: concerned netizens warned the man to watch out

Comments discussing a girlfriend's request for her boyfriend's social security number for a background check.

Text conversation about social security numbers and background checks.

Text post discussing legality of using social security numbers for background checks.

Comment warning about the risks of sharing a boyfriend's Social Security number for a background check.

Reddit comment responding humorously to a query about a girlfriend asking for a boyfriend's social security number.

Text discussing a background check and concerns about providing a boyfriend's Social Security number to a girlfriend.

Screenshot of a comment discussing trust issues related to a girlfriend wanting a boyfriend's social security number for background checks.

Text discussing concerns about a girlfriend's request for boyfriend's Social Security Number for a background check.

Comment discussing legality and advising against sharing boyfriend's social security number for a background check.

Reddit comment warning about giving a girlfriend a social security number for a background check.

Text discusses boyfriend's social security number and background check.

Comment discussing the legality of a girlfriend wanting her boyfriend's Social Security number for a background check.

Comment discussing legality of using Social Security Number for unauthorized background checks.

Comment urges caution on sharing social security number for boyfriend background check.

Text discussing fraud investigation related to a girlfriend wanting her boyfriend's social security number for a background check.

Comment discussing social security number and background check in a relationship.

Reddit comment on not needing a boyfriend's social security number for a background check.

Text discussing methods of conducting background checks without needing a Social Security number.

Comment about a boyfriend and social security number check request.

Text explaining why a girlfriend doesn't need her boyfriend's social security number for a background check.

User discussing boyfriend's social security number request in online forum.

Text question about privacy concerns in background checks for boyfriend's social security number.

Text comments discussing girlfriend's unreasonable request for boyfriend's social security number for background check.

Reddit comment advising against sharing social security number with girlfriend for a background check.

Comment warns against sharing social security number for a girlfriend's background check.

“It literally costs you nothing”: others didn’t see the consequences of the man dishing out his SSN

Comment discussing girlfriend's request for boyfriend's social security number for safety and background check.

Comment discussing trust in a relationship about sharing social security number for a background check.

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