car was broken. Police came out to file a report. Asked me for my S.S. # , date of birth, and full name.?

Ah, yeah. Why wouldn't they ask you for this info? How is the Police Department going to log who reported this crime? Let me guess, you are one of those people who think that you are the only John Smith in your city?

The Police Department requires this information be logged on a Police report for several reasons. To log who filed the report, to obtain as much contact information for you as possible, to log you as a victim, etc. Just because nothing was taken out of your car, doesn't mean a crime was committed- it was. If there's no report, how would the Department be able to log and track the crime rate in the area? How could they increase patrols? Would you want the report forwarded to your insurance company so that it can help get the reparis done? Do you want the victim just listed as, "me"?

What do you think they are going to do with the info? Commit some identity theft? The Police Officer spends his day driving around collecting peoples personal info so that he can go home and apply for some credit cards?

Funny how you think that your car being broken into and ransacked is no big deal and no report should be taken, but you feel uneasy that a Police Officer asked for your name/DOB for a Police Report.

This information is pertinent to the police report. IT IS REQUIRED, at least where I work. If someone refuses to give this information, then I will refuse to complete the police report. If you are reluctant to give police information, then why call them? This information separates you from all the other "John Does" that have filed police reports.

If you just want to make an anonymous call of criminal activity, then do so; but do not expect any results of your vehicle being broken into. Even if they catch someone and they confess to breaking into your vehicle, without a police report on file, there is practically nothing the police can do. And if you have refused to cooperate with police (ie. give your personal information), then there will probably not be a police report on file. They may can increase patrol in the area, but without reports of specific criminal offenses on file, they would be hard pressed to justify the extra manpower needed. (They have to report to the budget commitee why they paid overtime for extra patrol in a certain neighborhood).

This is a real problem in the community. People are reluctant to get involved either out of fear of reprisal, or just uncaring attitudes. If they even bother to call police they do not want to give any information. If they are the victim of a crime, they are too scared to report the offense, or they are afraid to give information. Without this information and subsequent police reports, the police have their hands tied. There is little they can do if the victim is unwilling to prosecute, let alone report the crime. Then, of course, the public points their fingers at police and blame them for the criminals walking the street.

If you want a report taken, the report needs to be filled out completely and accurately so you can be identified if need be. There may be dozens of people with any given name in a city and maybe even a few with the same date of birth.

The practice of asking for your social security number is an old one and you can legally refuse to give it, but you will have to give your driver's license number in it's place. Police often ask for social security numbers because people have them memberized and can rattle it off much faster than a DL number.

I have to agree with robbocop 100%. Where I work (Louisiana) if you refuse to cooperate and give your information then that means you dont get a report which means if they catch the guy that broke into your vehicle he cannot be arrested because if you have no victim you have no crime. If you want something done to the person that committed this crime file the report and give the deputy the information that he needs to write his report. Also you couldn't even imagine how many John Smith's are in the same city with the same date of birth, this also helps them to identify you correctly.

Whole lot of stupid answers and misinformation here. The Rook, Kenneth C., Robocop, Pfo, and a few others have the right answers. You do need to give this information for a police report. Most of the others are not cops and have never filled out a police report and have no idea what they are talking about.

It's to be sure they have you identified. It helps if they find your goods, or if they need you to press charges against somebody. You could have refused to give you SS, or just given the last 4 numbers. It should be safely locked up in the police report. So I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Yes, it's called filing a police report.

1. You dont(or didnt) have to give them your SSN. But it was your choice. And since you called them I dont see why its a big deal.

2. Your birth date is on your license, so either he was double checking your story and who you are, or needed it for his report.

3. Full name, yes. Its technically against the law to not give your name to the police when asked. Its considered a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest. Now some states question this law as its your consitutional right but the Stop and Identify statues, are there for a reason. To protect the officer and public.

And again, since you called them, it shouldnt be an issue.

Obviously you are NOT aware of police procedure. When you believe "they might increase patrols in the area" because of a break in, then it will be freezing in hades!

Every shift is given "assignments" on what to look for during that shift. Graffiti, stolen vehicles, break ins, etc. That is why sometimes you're speeding and a police car will go by without noticing you're breaking the law. They are focus on their "target" assignment.

Best way to handle your situation is STAY AWAY from that area. Go shopping elsewhere. When you walk near water in Florida, you're bound to get eaten by an alligator, humm?

When you shop in high crime areas, your vehicle is bound to get broken into. Period. As for living in Indiana, well, there's always room for more in Michigan, Illinois and perhaps Hillary will welcome you in New York.

Once you call the police you pretty much belong to them.

Did you ask why they wanted the information? I could see them wanting your name and date of birth maybe, because when the report is filed someone is going to want to be able to reference it in the future, but why your SS#?

I suspect if you did ask them why they needed the information they would have drawn a blank and become defensive, the way the clerks in the stores do when I refuse to give them my phone number. They honestly don't know why they're asking, only that they've been told to ask.

They're all just drones, really. Clerks and cops.