“I asked Dianne if she could see my Social Security number there in her system, and she said yes. “Does it begin X-X-X,” I asked, using the real first three digits. Yes, Dianne said, that’s it. So much for encryption. I was transferred to another operator to complete my order for phone service.”

AAARRGGHH.  Read this article about giving out your SS#.  It’s depressing and we all need a little more of that at Christmas, don’t we?