It's really lame that companies like AT&T even need your SSN. Why do they need that to set up a phone line or an internet connection? There's gotta be a better way.
You can identify by other means. Or at least give the opportunity to use other means. If you can't keep my personal information safe, you shouldn't be allowed to collect it.
If only there were some sort of moniker you went by other than a SSN. That coupled with some sort of location data could narrow you down to, ooh, one person I suppose.
In the UK we have NI number, which is used by my employer, pension provider, the tax services, the benefits office, and that's pretty much it. It's not used as a general source of ID by corporations.
From an outside point of view, the US system looks crazy. And that's coming from somebody who's country has a TV license.