I think that the Social Security Administration database is different than credit records. 

I changed everything before I ever developed any credit.  I am in a business where I can get all kinds of info on people.  I've looked for info on myself using those services, and checked my credit reports too.  There is nothing there to cause me any problems.  I'm fortunate in that one particular way.

But I went to the Social Security Offfice a couple of years ago and the lady let me see what came up on the screen.   There it was.  Names, dates, everything.  And I changed my info nearly 20 years ago. 

I don't know why a bank would have or need a direct feed into the Social Security Administration database, but that is what it sounds like they had.

Most, perhaps all, employers don't get to have that access.  They just send in the form you fill out and get a "no match" letter if the reported name or gender or other info does not match the current records.  But they are not told in the letter why the "no match" occurred, and the employee has a couple of months to fix it.  Recent attempts to force employers to fire employees who failed to correct it within 60 days were struck down in court, last I heard.  The Social Security Administration did not send "no match" letters if only the gender did not match until after 9/11.  The Bush administration cahged the software.  Perhaps the O'bama Administration will change it back?

That does not mean that employers cannot find out information about you, especially if you sign forms empowering them to perform a background check.

We need laws to protect us from this problem.  For example, if we have good credit and criminal history, or rehabilitated histories, etc., then we ought to be able to apply for a new social security number, and get a new credit record that is blank, but has a score matching the old credit, and can't be told apart from regular credit reports by anyone checking our credit.  I think those laws will come eventually, but probably not in my lifetime.

I have to agree with tekla.  I really not sure what all the fuss is about.  I think that folks are being a little naive if they think that they will be able to go through life in complete stealth.  Governments keep records on everyone and I don't see where there is a problem when the government records name changes on "Everyone" not just those with a T (Whatever) back ground.  If you think the government is bad, take a look at your medical records and medical history.

-={LR}=-

a quick Google search on "new social security number" gives some interesting facts- basically it's difficult to get a new number but it can be done. Even then, the new number is linked to your old one. From what I can tell, you can get as new number only in a few cases, one of them being if someone is actively using your number for fraudulent purposes (identity theft) and you have to have proof from a credit bureau that it is "actively".

Oh well. 

It looks basically like our SSN is something we're stuck with, like the mark of the beast or something.... 

Quote from: tekla on May 06, 2009, 01:27:45 AM
If you want a stealth life.  Don't try to do very public stuff.

So we should all go into hiding, right?  Don't apply for a job.  Don't start your own business.  Don't open a savings account.  Don't do anything that someone can track.  Well, you may think that's a viable option but I and many of my trans friends think that advice reeks of supporting discrimination and prejudice. 

The SSA changed my name as I requested.  It was all perfectly legal.  I have a great credit history, which anyone who wants to verify that can do so with my SS#, not my former or present name.  My former name is just that and no longer exists as my legal name.  Therefore it should no longer turn up when my SS# is typed into a computer.  That's the way it should be. 

Saying any of us should not do public things is just the same as encouraging us to disappear, exactly what the religious right and other hate mongers want us to do.  Instead of taking the attitude "what did you expect", the attitude should be one of outrage at the government's participation in possibly creating an environment that could lead to prejudice, discrimination or worse.

It's no secret trans people are some of the most discriminated against people in the world.  So why should anyone knowingly allow outing information to remain in the data bases that are used for employment or opening a savings account (among other things)?

Yes, I know how the world works but is that any reason to defend our government outing us?  I don't think so.

Julie

More or less pretty much the point I was trying to get across. Past financial history should be given by your current legal name. A person's prior name should only be given if they are a criminal. I.E. Aka gangster sex offender

If your not in hiding, you can't be outed.  Your past financial history is just that, your past financial history.  If it was done under another name, then it was done under another name. 

I have a friend who has a patent under her prior name, she had to set up a LLC to route the checks, which still come in that name, because its the name on the patent.  I asked her once if it bothered her, and it didn't as long as the checks keep on coming and clear the bank.

I also know several academic types who have to use both, as their dissertations - which are public documents - are published under that name.  They just explain that that was then, this is now.