[toast0]

> Is this a US specific thing? Why would you need to keep your SSN and bank account number private?

For SSN, if you have good credit, you a SSN and a name is basically all that's needed to open a new account connected to your general credit record. If the account was opened in your name without your consent, it's a lot of work to get it disassociated from you.

For bank account numbers, most payments are processed through the 'automated clearing house', which is fancy check clearing. In the old days, maybe your bank would look at the check presented and return it without payment if they could tell it wasn't legitimate / your signature wasn't right. With an electronic withdrawl, there's not really any information provided to them to check anything.

[eru]

The poster you replies to knows the answer you've given. The question was rather: `Why is the system set up in such a way that this is the case?'