Do I need my Social Security number on a rental application
The short answer :? No. However, there is no law that prohibits the owners to request social security number to a prospective tenant on a rental application. In fact, some owners may even require and refuse to consider your application until you provide your social security number. The reason is so that they can run a credit check a potential tenant, which is a common legal practice. Fortunately, you do have several options other than writing your Social Security number on the initial form.
1. Leave the vacuum of space - but the owner knows why. potentially dozens of people could end up applying for the same rental unit, which means that there are high chances of your application may not even be considered. If you wrote your social security number down, it means it could end up in the trash for anyone to find. That's why if you fill out an application that asks for your social security number, it is best to leave this part empty as long as you let the owner know why - and make sure if you are seriously considered for the apartment you must provide the information necessary to run the credit check.
2. Get your own credit reports. This may not work in all cases, but some owners may accept copies of your credit reports you got yourself. By law, you are entitled to a free copy of your report from all three credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian) annually by AnnualCreditReport.com. If you have not yet received your annual copies, you must get them and be sure to print at least one copy. Give copies of these reports to potential owners instead of running their own credit check. Some may still prefer to run your credit themselves, but it is worth trying. At the very least, the display of your credit reports will give you an idea of what will appear so you can be better prepared.
3. Request that your application be destroyed after being examined. If you do end up having to provide your social security number, be sure to ask for the total destruction of the application once the review process is complete. Ask that the documents are shredded - or, if it is an online application, files completely destroyed. Most major rental companies probably have a privacy policy, but those who rent individual units may not be aware of, so it is best to learn about what happens to documents or files with your information.
Why it is important to protect your social security number
Your social security number is the most valuable and vulnerable part of the personal information that make up your identity. A thief has access to your social can wreak havoc far more than someone armed with just your name or even your bank account number. Social Security numbers can be used to open utility accounts and credit cards, mortgages and loans and even access to medical or government benefits. A person with your social security number could even attach it to a different date of birth and to create a new identity. The greatest fraud in social security is that too often the victims are not found until it is too late and much damage was done. It can take months or years to recover from identity theft. That is why it is so important to keep as close as possible to your social security number.
Fortunately, you can help to protect your identity by signing up for a service protection against identity theft. These services monitor the black market websites, public records and other places of your personal information, including your social security number, to ensure it is not illegally traded, sold or used. Many allow you to set alerts that will notify you immediately if any suspicious activity occurred. Although they can not completely prevent identity theft from occurring, a protection against identity theft services can help catch criminals in their tracks and recover your identity if the worst happen.