DoD removes Social Security numbers from ID cards Published May 8, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Peter R.O. Danielson 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The Department of Defense is implementing new measures to help servicemembers and their family members safeguard their identities. The DoD's Social Security Number Reduction Plan expects to protect Social Security numbers by removing the numbers from identification cards and limiting government processes that request a SSN for verification, said Tech. Sgt. Miranda Price, a relocations counselor with the 55th Force Support Squadron Customer Service Section. Because the DoD wants to protect the identity information of cardholders, the SSN cannot be relied on to be a unique identification number, said Sergeant Price. The changes to ID cards will be implemented in three phases. As of 2008, dependant ID cards are no longer printed with the dependant's Social Security number. The sponsor's SSN is currently printed on new dependant cards. At the end of 2009, neither military nor dependant cards will be printed with a SSN, said Sergeant Price. However, the last four digits of a servicemember's SSN will be printed on their Geneva Conventions card as a confirmation number, she said. By 2012, Social Security numbers will also be removed from the barcode on the back of the card, she said. This final step is intended to protect personal data from the most high-tech identity thieves. "The removal of the SSN will reduce the chances of someone being susceptible to identity theft," said Master Sgt. Kenneth Piche, flight chief of the Offutt Anti-Terrorism office. "The number and the name attached to it are often all that is needed to fraudulently open a line of credit or buy property." Programs and forms that previously used Social Security numbers to establish identity are changing as well. Each individual organization that uses these numbers must find a new way to identify customers. "A servicemember should only release his or her Social Security number when absolutely necessary," said Sergeant Piche. However, there may be times when a government official will ask for a SSN to confirm the identity of an individual, Sergeant Piche added. A police officer or someone issuing an ID card has the right to request the number, he said. ID card holders who want to replace their ID cards should wait until their current card expires. A retiree who has a card with an indefinite expiration date will have to wait until Jan. 2010 to request a new card. For more information about the Social Security Number Reduction Plan, visit www.cac.mil or www.dmdc.osd.mil/smartcard. Airmen and their family members can also call the 55th FSS Customer Service Section at (402) 294-2374.