Clark Howard's advice on giving out your social security number

Clark Howard tells us the riskiest places to give your social security number these days: Colleges, banks and healthcare facilities.

"Hospitals, medical insurers, doctor's offices, labs, anything involved with medicine."

When filling out a medical form, Clark says you don't have to list your social security number just because it's requested. He says don't give it unless they can give you a compelling reason to do so. This, he adds, is for your own protection.

"Because if there's any issue, any dispute on whether or not the bill is paid, they want your social security number to come and sue you."

 Watch a video of Clark's advice on giving out your social security number.