You can refuse to give your Social Security number to any business that requests it. But the business can then opt not to continue its transaction with you. You must give your Social Security number to continue with a transaction in some instances. This includes any sale or purchase of $10,000 or more that must be reported to the IRS. Investment purchases or sales also require a SSN, as will the purchase of insurance products, credit reporting services, and banking accounts. If a business requests your Social Security number, you can always check to see if it will accept an alternate form of identification, such as an ITIN or driver’s license number. A prepaid card or gift card is a popular gift option any time of the year. But many gift-givers don’t realize that some of these cards will require personal identifying information — such as a Social Security number — for activation. These cards also make it easier to make purchases without carrying cash. A prepaid card can be a valuable tool for accepting a direct deposit without a traditional bank account from a financial institution. But you will have trouble finding prepaid cards without SSN requirements.