Sending SSN via email...Is this illegal/what action should I take?

My school's financial aid office obviously has access to my social security number b/c of FAFSA forms and tax returns that have been submitted to them. They just sent me an email that contained my social security number, and this really pissed the hell out of me because I don't know much about computers but I do know that it's not secure enough to be sending your social security number through. What action do you think I should take against the woman in the financial aid office who is sending out emails with our SSNs in them? Because they have our student ID numbers to identify us with, which were also identified in the email, I don't see why they also see the need to be transmitting such personal information about us. Can someone get fired/sued here?

CB, you may have actually given them permission to send your SSN on some form you signed.
I know people tell me the same thing all the time, I dont send SSN, but i do run credit checks, and i tell them, "You gave me permission by signing this"

Also, did you ever stop to consider that some internet transmissions are considered secure?

1) it is not illegal
2) I bet it is theri current standard policy and no one is getting fired.
3) You cannot sue anyone because you have no financial lost.


The answer to everything is not sue sue sue sue

Why is it the first thing people think of is suing?

You cannot sue unless actual harm has occurred. Was it a bonehead move? Yeah. Were you actually harmed by it? No. So what exactly are you suing for?

You should complain to the financial aid office, inform them what is happening, and demand they stop using your SSN in correspondance. That will in all likelihood stop it.

Should the woman be fired? Honey, if everyone who made a bonehead move got fired, they'd have to print newspapers twice as big for all the job ads that would be needed. It happens, get over it.