Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m not comfortable giving my Social Security number when filling out an application for a job. Is it really necessary? — Rick

J.T.: Many companies ask for your Social Security number because they anticipate doing a background check if they decide to offer you a job. If you’re uncomfortable putting it on the application, just write in that you will furnish it to them upon a job offer.

Dale: Which brings us to your question of whether it’s necessary. It’s necessary for a background check, and, let’s face it, it’s probably necessary to put it on the application. If hiring managers see a little note about supplying the number upon a job offer, they are going to wonder why: “Why doesn’t he trust me? Is this person paranoid?”

J.T.: Which is not fair, but it is how some people think.

Dale: If you’ve hired a lot of employees, you’ve hired ones who question every request and want to debate every rule, and thus you can develop an employer’s counter-paranoia.

J.T.: Which doesn’t make it right, just understandable. So here is a good middle ground: Don’t ever give your SS number online or over the phone — this is where most identity theft concerns occur. Indeed, it could be a bogus company — the increase in fraud via fake job opportunities is on the rise. So you are wise to be careful, but at some point you will have to furnish the information, and don’t be too secretive about it, or the employer will worry that you have something to hide.