In the wrong hands, which of the following pieces of personal information would present the greatest risk for identity theft? A. Address B. Date of birth C. Mother’s maiden name D. Social security number Please select the best answer from the choices provided: A, B, C, or D.
Social Studies · College · Sun Jan 24 2021
Answered on
D. Social security number
The Social Security Number (SSN) is a critical piece of personal information that can present the greatest risk for identity theft if it falls into the wrong hands. It is widely used in the United States as a unique identifier for individuals and can provide access to a wide range of personal and financial information when used fraudulently. Identity thieves can potentially use someone's SSN to open new credit accounts, file tax returns, or even commit crimes under the victim's name.
Extra:
When dealing with personal information, it's important to know why certain pieces of information are more sensitive than others:
- Address (Choice A) is personal but can often be found in public records or easily obtained online. While it is a component of one's personal information, by itself, it usually isn't enough to commit identity theft.
- Date of birth (Choice B) is also a vital piece of information but is often used in conjunction with other data to steal one's identity. Knowing someone's date of birth can be a stepping stone to accessing more sensitive information.
- Mother’s maiden name (Choice C) is frequently used as a security question for various accounts. While it isn't as powerful as the SSN, if combined with other information, it can be used to bypass security measures and access accounts.
- Social security number (Choice D) is the most sensitive piece of information because it can be used to access a plethora of services and official tasks in someone's name. Many institutions use the SSN to confirm identity, so possession of this number can enable someone to impersonate you effectively.
Teaching students about the importance of keeping their personal information, especially their SSN, secure is crucial in helping them avoid becoming victims of identity theft. It's important to never share your SSN with anyone unless absolutely necessary, such as for tax reasons, employment, or legitimate financial transactions.