SSN for Water Company!?

[Dave Kristol]

I just had an astonishing encounter with my local water company (New
Jersey-American Water Company). When I reached a customer service
representative, I was asked for the usual stuff: name, account number,
address, phone number,... last four digits of my Social Security
Number.

Huh? Social Security Number?

I politely but firmly said "No, you may *not* have the last four digits
of my Social Security Number". Well then, says she, "May I have your
driver's license?" "No" again say I. Well, says she, you have to give
me one or the other to verify your identity. Otherwise she can't help
me, she claims! I sputter, "You mean, if I have a broken water meter or
other water service problem, you won't help me until I give you a
Social Security Number or driver's license number??" She says "Yes."
Very irritated, but polite, I ask to speak to her supervisor. After a
decent-length pause, she returns and says she will help me after all,
and we conduct business.

When we're done, I ask, out of curiosity: "Do you actually have my
Social Security Number?" No. "My driver's license?" No. So they're
not really verifying my identity at all. Are they simply filling in a
blank the first time so they can verify the information the next time?

--
Dave Kristol