From what I understand, knowing somebody's name, SSN, address and DOB would allow you to impersonate him/her at 90% of places. In 90% of the rest, they'd require some password but if you sound convincing enough and desperate enough and claim you forgot the password, they'd give you some information they're not supposed to in exchange for the pieces from above. SSN especially is treated like it's super-secret even though practically everybody asks you for it - banks, employers, car dealers, credit cards, lenders, etc. Government loves to ask DOB for some reason like it's a big secret - even though looking for congrats of anybody's facebook page allows to know DOB for like 90% of people.
In general, this whole system does not collapse only because overwhelming majority of people are honest and don't even think about cheating it. Which I think is good, but still I am a bit scared when I think about how fragile it is.
> SSN especially is treated like it's super-secret even though practically everybody asks you for it - banks, employers, car dealers, credit cards, lenders, etc.
Ironically, the IRS doesn't. I know of someone who had to authenticate himself to the IRS (I think when getting a new social security card) and was prepared to give them his SSN, when the agent scolded him, 'Your SSN isn't a means of identification'.
If only they knew!
> Government loves to ask DOB for some reason like it's a big secret - even though looking for congrats of anybody's facebook page allows to know DOB for like 90% of people.
DOB is public record (by one means or another) for almost any US resident.
I am both amused and annoyed at now having to enter my US postal ZIP code when using my credit card at some gas stations. If someone stole my wallet, they'd have that information already as it is on my driver's license.
In general, this whole system does not collapse only because overwhelming majority of people are honest and don't even think about cheating it. Which I think is good, but still I am a bit scared when I think about how fragile it is.