Can Debt Collectors Ask for Your Social Security Number?

With the economy the way it is, debt collection is big business. Most often, when you have an unpaid debt and if it has not been charged off from the original creditor, it's likely that the debtor will contact you. Many of these creditors try to follow the fair debt collection rules, or they will back off if you tell them to. However, once your debt remains unpaid for a certain amount of time, it becomes a charge off, which means that the company no longer counts your debt on their books. This is when they will sell your account to a debt collector and these are the people you need to watch out for.

Now, if you've ever dealt with a debt collector, you know how awful they can be. Many debt collectors will stop at nothing and threaten to have you thrown in jail or worse if you don't pay them today. As if this isn't bad enough, there are now scams out there where a person will call you with a bogus debt and begin threatening you before they ask for your social security number. The truth is that a debt collector cannot ask you for your social security number. They may ask for the last four digits to confirm your identity over the phone, but that is it.

If you have a debt collector asking you for your social security number, your best bet is to not give your personal information to them. Instead, request that they send you a statement through the mail, to confirm your debt, which you can look into upon receipt. Until then, keep your money - and your identity safe.