If I Refuse...What Then?

Today at work I was reminded once again of the far reaching impact the events of 9/11 have on everyday life. 

I need to add a new board member as a signer on the business bank accounts.  Prior to 9/11, if the bank requested the signer's Social Security Number (SSN), I had the power to politely inform the bank that it was not our policy to request or provide personal information about our volunteer's (Board members).  Those days are long gone.  I spent the better part of this afternoon in discussion with several bank employees (at different banks), going round and round on the SSN issue.

Printed on my Social Security card are the words "Not to be used for identification purposes."  Plain and simple English.  Yet every time I turn around, someone wants our SSN.  The banks, the doctor, the hospital...the list goes on.  Why?  For identification purposes, they tell us.  Identification?  There is no photo on it, so how do you know it's really mine?  We compare it to your driver's license.  And that proves what?  That my state issued driver's license is legit?  Well, we need to confirm that you aren't a terrorist or that you aren't involved in terror related activities, and your Social Security number allows us to do that.  Okay, I have three problems right now.  #1 if my local banker/doctor/hospital is now a terrorism specialist, then who's doing their job?  #2 do you (the reader) have any idea how easy it is to get and print a social security card these days?  I mean, if its possible to print counterfeit cash, bogus checks, and fake I. D.'s, then doesn't it stand to reason that someone, somewhere can print bogus Social Security cards?  You see, as any genealogist can tell you, there are data bases filled with the SSN's of deceased individuals.  This information is available to anyone, on CD and the internet.  #3, I do not carry my SSN card on me, I keep it locked away in my safe deposit box (safe being the operative word here).

So, back to the conversation, where I am politely informed that the bank has no choice in the matter.  Because of 9/11, congress passed The Patriotic Act for our protection, and now SSN cards must be used as a form of identification on all signature cards.  My new board member, however, declines to share his SSN (I don't blame him).  He will happily provide his driver's license and passport, but no SSN.  The bank tells me, without his SSN, he can't sign on the account.  I see. So let me see if I have this straight.  You now have the power to tell me who I can and can't have as a signer on the business account.  It took every ounce of rational strength I had in me to remain calm and professional.  I was already stressed prior to these calls, mainly because I need local people as signers on the accounts, and I only have four board members who are local--everyone else is a minimum of 23 miles away.  And every check requires two signatures.  So, I'm running out of people, and now the bank...or the Patriot Act...has just compounded the problem. 

At least the bank employees and I do agree on one thing.  Nothing is simple or easy anymore.  Everything is complicated, which leads to more stress.  And we realized, after the anger and frustration reached a certain point, that if we allowed our feelings to go any farther, then the terrorist's win.  We would be at each other's throats, and that's what they want.  Today, the terrorist's didn't win; we stopped them.