Why are people like this ?

What ever happened to V and W ?? I thought you guys were still working on that one ??

Although very slow in progress, I did manage to move onto "Z"

Maybe they should have a secure website...

This story sound/smell a bit like it might be an internet hoax story.

Hopefully that is the case anyway.

No Bill. Not a hoax.

Uh oh, I say oh, it is one syllable and easier to say. My SS# begins with oh and that is what I say and I am in the habit. However, I am aware oh is not zero so sometimes I say zero. confusing enough.

Maybe you should write out the prescription numbers ahead of time.

In large print.

My SSN begins with "0" as well. If I tell an official type person that my number is "oh-something-something-something", when it's repeated back to me the official type person will always say, "zero-something-something-sometning. Is that correct?"

I've never given this much thought... I use both interchangeably unless I'm talking to an airline rep. I know from experience that mixing up zeros and "O"s can keep you from finding your flight info.

I can see how someone not used to the custom, or someone whose primary language isn't english, could get confused - particularly in a stressful moment like trying to get emergency help. I didn't know that Australia uses 9-0-0 for emergency services.

I don't think you're going to have much luck changing something that's so ingrained in people's normal usage/conversation. What seems like a "what's the big deal" to most of us can be life threatening to someone else.

People are programmed by programs on TV. Previously in history we havent had much need to talk to each other in numbers. If we can generate inaccuracy, then surely we can generate accuracy by the same method. I know of one instance where it cost a life, maybe there are more, perhaps some are less direct. Actually it is 0-0-0. It was selected because people in an emergency have trouble moving their digits accurately, so a nervous person was more likely to hit the same number three times.