I've just recently had to cancel a online job application because part of the application asked for my ssn. It was one of those applications you fill out directly on the company's website. After spending several minutes posting my resume and putting in my personal data, as some work history that was already on my resume, one of the final remaining data fields was "ssn". The field was one of those mandatory ones marked with a red *, so I could not opt out. I understand why an employer would want my social security number, they want to know I'm me and that I'm legal to work in this country. The company was a well known and respectable company and the job looked interesting. Unfortunately in today's world with computer hacking and ID theft I don't think it's appropriate to ask for it so early in the application process, not online anyhow. Later, when if I'm a finalist for the position and the company needs to check my status out as a last hurdle to employment, then I'm OK with giving a prospective employer my ssn in person to the HR or hiring manager. Again, I get why they asked for it and I sympathise with the company, they have a legitimate reason for wanting it. It's not that I don't trust them, but they have to understand that in today's world sadly, it's not appropriate to ask for a person's ssn online. I'm already entrusting them with a lot of personal information, information I would not be providing online under other circumstances. For me, my ssn was just a bridge too far. The risk of ID theft was just not worth it, not for a position that I might not even be interviewed for. I can only hope that for myself and other job seekers, a trend will start where prospective employers no longer ask for it online so early in the process.