A recent investigation by The Associated Press revealed millions of Americans, including many Utahns, still had their Social Security numbers on their drivers' licenses.
Consumer advocates warn if those licenses become lost or stolen and fall into the wrong hands, they could be gold mines for identity thieves.
A sampling of just 11 states by the AP identified more than 14 million motorists with Social Security numbers on their licenses.
In Utah, exact numbers of how many motorists still have their Social Security numbers on their drivers' licenses are not kept. Regardless, officials have taken steps to start reducing the number down to zero.
The 2004 Utah Legislature passed a law that forbids motorists from putting their Social Security numbers on their licenses. That law took the place of one passed in 1993 that made Social Security numbers optional.
Until 1993, Social Security numbers were mandatory on Utah drivers' licenses.
In 2004, President Bush signed a law barring states from putting Social Security numbers on new or renewed drivers' licenses, identification cards or vehicle registrations. The law took effect two months ago.
Although exact numbers were not kept, Derek Jensen with the Utah Department of Public Safety said a noticeable number of drivers opted not to have their Social Security numbers on their licenses beginning in 1993.
But while Social Security numbers are no longer put on licenses, it's possible some Utah drivers who had their numbers added to their licenses before the 2004 law went into effect will have that number there until it's time to renew their licenses in 2009.
But Francine Giani, executive director of the state Division of Consumer Protection, advises those motorists not to wait.
"We encourage you to get a new license rather than walk around with that. You should have as little identifying information as possible with you," she said. "I would go in and get another driver's license. It's a hassle, it's a pain, but the safety and protection is not walking around with a driver's license with a Social Security number."
About 8.9 million U.S. adults were victims of identity fraud in 2005, costing an estimated $57 billion, according to a survey released by the Better Business Bureau.
If a driver is within six months of their license expiring, they can get a new driver's license without their Social Security number for $20. If they just want to get a new license and aren't within the six-month range, Jensen said they can ask for a duplicate, minus the Social Security number, for $13.
Contributing: The Associated Press
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com