Where can I buy a cellphone that doesn't cost much or a free Obama phone without giving any digits of my social security number?

[sage2021]

When I had to call 911 and go to the hospital, the ambulance driver said he needed my social security number to identify me.
My caregiver said in the State we live, everybody is asking for our social security numbers, either the last four, or all of it. It's true too. What can I do? It's like no one can do anything out here without them wanting the last four digits. Darn it!!! 🤨

[caring__1]

Here are some inexpensive unlocked smart phones: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cheapest+unlocked+smartphones&hvadid=664695649088&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9031761&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5891284970700143858&hvtargid=kwd-19623736578&hydadcr=25945_13642365&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_85fzw7eefi_e

Here are some inexpensive unlocked flip phones: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=unlocked+flip+phones&crid=39H8OOV3LIXFI&sprefix=unlocked+flip%2Caps%2C224&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_13

You'll still have to pay the monthly charge for cell service, unless you're only going to use it to call 911.

You can ask the ambulance driver if your insurance card would be good enough (as that's what they'll need to get paid), but some companies have policies that have to be followed. You can check out the requirements of the companies in advance.

The federal government advises all consumers to only give out their SSN when they are filing income taxes, applying for employment or a loan, submitting a driver’s license application, or when they are applying for government benefits. Other than that, you need to be very cautious about sharing your Social Security number online or offline.

When you are asked to provide your SSN, the requester should explain why they need it and how it will be used. In some cases, you may be allowed to use a different identifier such as your passport or state identification document. You can also ask how HIPAA will be used to protect your personal information.

[sage2021]

Caring__1
Thank you for the information 🙂.
So, I went to a neurologist and in all of his paperwork, I had to write my SS# at least in five different places. I guess me wanted to make sure I wasn't going to get away without paying 🙄.
I'm pretty sure it the State I live in that is the problem. You give us your digits or go somewhere else. I am serious.
When I got the COVID-19 vaccines, I gave them my State ID card and my insurance card. That was all that was required. It said I'd we didn't have that information go to the next section and enter your social security number. I argued with the lady until the cows came home, and she insisted I give my number or no shot. That's the way things are in my State.

[caring__1]

I'm in California. All I needed for my neurologist and vaccines was my insurance card, though I use different cards for different providers and different services. The VA always asks my last four when signing in, just to confirm I am who I claim to be, just like the Red Cross asks for my name and birthdate multiple times when I donate blood. It's been a long time since I've had a medical provider insist I give my entire SSN.

[Surely]

I always skip the SS number lines or put x’s in them. I have told some of them that they are not paying taxes on me. They don’t need it.
The hospitals seem to have it on file anyway. I think they are just too lazy to assign you a patient number. So they ask for your number instead.
I have often thought that the patient needs to have them sign a legal document. If they have their systems hacked. And loose your SS number. They should be liable to make you whole again if you have loses because of it.

[Surely]

Thank you Sage. Hope that you have a very nice Christmas and a better New Year!

[Likes2drive]

Caring__1 pretty much said it all, maybe move out of that expensive state so you can afford things without struggling and where they don’t ask for so much information, they ask that from me for so many things but it is expensive here, I just can’t move anywhere since I’m still working, if I wasn’t I move somewhere cheaper

[sage2021]

@Likes2drive
I couldn't move to another state. My son is developmentally disabled and he lives in a family home. His caregiver loves him like he's her own. He is a pretty cool 😎 dude. He'd have to be with a Mom like me huh?
I am not sure where you live because you have
mentioned two different States 🤷🏼‍♀️.
What State would you move to?
When I lived in Tennessee the homes were inexpensive but my heating bill was like $300 a month.
I just got a good deal from my electric company. They just started, it's a pilot project they are doing. I will only have to pay $29.00/month. It's for seniors on a low income. So, we'll see what happens next with that.
See, they're watching me 👁️👁️

[Likes2drive]

Oh I didn’t know that was why you stay there, I’ve been staying here on Long Island because of my job and some family that is still here, most friends and family moved from here years ago because it’s very expensive here

[caring__1]

Hopefully, they won't be billing you $29 a month and then balance bill you a huge amount at the end of the year.

[Likes2drive]

@caring__1 Yeah they might do that to her, I remember when they did that on budget billing and I had to pay $500 plus the bill

[sage2021]

@Likes2drive. Shoot, not some thing else to worry about! I just want to give up on life anymore. There are all these people always stressing me out like the social security number thing, and now this program the electric company tricked my into. I swear, I am getting depressed for the first time in my life 😔

[Likes2drive]

Well hopefully they averaged your usage and won’t have any surprise bills

[sage2021]

@Likes2drive
Thank you for your inspiring words. I will call them today and see what they're going to do to me🙂 I was on a plan getting 30,% off of my monthly bill. Maybe I should have stayed on that 😥.
When my boyfriend lived with me my electric bill was $177 a month because he always had to have all the lights on all the time. 🙄 The month after he died, my electric bill went down to $77. Thanks again!
⛄🎀🎄🎁🎀🎄🎁⛄🎀

[Likes2drive]

No problem and I can’t believe it was $100 difference by keeping the lights off

[exitseven]

See if you can get a state ID instead. A state ID is not a drivers license. It is a way to identify somebody for voting purposes and also more importantly , buy beer. In many cases you can use that instead.

[sage2021]

@exitseven
Dude, I gave him my Driver's licence and my letter from social security that is proof of income that they ask for.
Where I live my Driver's licence IS our ID card.
Besides, I have to have my helper lady go get it
for me, thus the helper.

I remember when I moved to Tennessee and I just walked in, no lines, paid $25 and license plates were also $25 🤔.
When I came back to the State I moved to, my car registration alone was $476 🤨.

[exitseven]

California must be really something.

[FunkyMonkee]

M aunt got a Tracphone. As far as I know, it's a freebie. I think you just need to be a senior to get one.

[magiusX26]

welcome to the real world. most everything, you have to tell your social security number for now.

[Jennz6]

You must live in California

[sage2021]

@Jennz6
Oh, why do you say that my dear?

[Jennz6]

Just a wild guess, don’t think about it too much