DOD phases out use of full social security numbers on I.D. cards

  • Published
  • By AFPS/Localized by Tech. Sgt. Charlie Miller
  • 445th Airlift Wing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio --  Let's do the numbers. Well, let's just do some of the numbers and we'll do them for security reasons. To help combat identity theft, Wing members being issued new identification cards will notice that their full Social Security numbers are no longer displayed.

And there is good reason for this. The Department of Defense has instigated the new policy that will virtually stop criminals who pilfer SSN-bearing identity cards and assume someone's identity illegally.

If a card is lost or stolen with a full SS number, identity thieves can, with just a few computer keystrokes and clicks of a mouse, assume someone's identity, said Mary Dixon, director of the Defense Manpower Data Center, Arlington, Va. The new cards will make identity theft more difficult.

According to Tech. Sgt. Robert Norsworthy, 445th Military Personnel Flight, the Wing will be issuing the new cards beginning this month. The sergeant said 445th members will need to present two forms of identification instead of one when requesting a new id card; that's just part of the new program.

Family of wing members with identification cards will be affected also, but not until the end of the year, Ms. Dixon said.

If a 445th member ever finds themselves in need of a new id card while away from the wing, they can go to any military installation around the world for help.

"Anything we do to your records here at the 445th goes global to all of DOD," said Sergeant Norsworthy.