Social Security Number (SSN) Usage Guidelines

All forms on which persons are required to provide Social Security Numbers (SSNs) must contain, or have appended to them, a statement explaining the university request; e.g., the legal obligation on which the request is based (if there is one) and the way in which the SSN will be used. 

For example, on an employment form, the following text may be used: The Federal Privacy Act of 1974 requires that you be notified that disclosure of your Social Security Number is required pursuant to the Internal Revenue Service Code. The Social Security Number is required to verify your identity.

If the SSN is not mandated by law, but is needed for a business purpose (e.g., in the early stages of the admissions process to match standardized test scores such as MCATs, PCATs), a disclosure statement of the following form may be used: The Federal Privacy Act of 1974 requires that you be notified that disclosure of your Social Security Number is not mandated by law, however, failure to do so may delay or even prevent your enrollment. UB uses your Social Security Number to match your application with your standardized test scores. UB will not disclose your Social Security Number for any purpose not required by law without your consent.

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