score:9
Yes, this has been standard procedure for banking in the US since about 2002. Don't worry; just make sure your bank is FDIC accredited.
Recent US laws require Social Security Numbers. Basic Source
Upvote:7
While you should not expose your Social Security Number (SSN) unnecessarily (as it, along with other information about you, can be used to commit identity theft), various people do need it from you, including:
In any such case, you should be careful to ensure you are dealing with a reputable, official organization and not a scam. It is unfortunate that you sometimes must give your SSN to people you don't necessarily trust to keep it secure (prospective employers and landlords especially), but that's the reality of the system at this point, and there's generally not much of an alternative.