I'm the same way. I give that number for TAX purposes only (employer, IRS). And, I too will launch into a lecture if anyone asks for it (though it is rare these days). ... Of course I don't give my phone number at checkouts in stores either.
Jonathan S
· 3 years ago
Here's the problem though. If she's asking for your SSN, that must mean she already has it on file right? So you must've given it to them previously. Either way, I feel you on this. Carl M may say it's rare to be asked for SSN, but I get asked all the time! Utilities, cell phone, etc.
What arguments did you use to convince her it isn't legal to use for identification? I'd be curious of the legal precedent that will uphold your argument. I'm asking so I can use it as well! :) I'm a HUGE privacy advocate, but, sometimes it feels like there's just no way around it.
Yeah unfortunately I've seen that. Since Daniel mentioned that it's not legal to ask for it I was curious what law or legislation he was basing that off of. Also by him saying it was NOT legal for them to ask made it sound like it was illegal. All documentation, including the link posted above mentioned nothing about it being illegal and even stated that organizations aren't prohibited from asking for it. On the other hand, we as consumers have a right to not give out the number, albeit at the cost at possibly not obtaining the service. Which is what I constantly run into, mainly, again, with utility companies. Here's a story of my battle with the gas company.
I was signing up as a new customer for gas service at my new house. When asked for name, address, etc, etc I gave that info to them. Then the SSN. I said "No dice" and proceeded to give them the reasons why. I asked if there was anyway around that. We went around and round, finally took it up two levels to some Manager or Director or something. They said they would give me service without an SSN if I paid the maximum deposit amount. So I cheerfully said "Great, how much?" They told me they calculate maximum deposit amount based off the highest bill of the last two years. I'm thinking at most it would be $250. They come back and tell me that it will be $450!!
I thought wow, what a price to pay for privacy. But here's the part. The Manager person tells me, "Well if it makes you feel any better you'll be earning 5-6% interest on that deposit." Woohoo I think! Better than a savings account! Then a light goes off. If I earn interest at a bank or any other place of business, the IRS needs to know and the way they are alerted to my interest income is via my Tax ID, AKA SSN. So I ask the Manager about this dilemma. This totally confused her as she said "Well, that's true. Hrm...." And I said "how about this, I'll give you $450 and you just don't worry about paying me interest?" She then said they could not keep money and not pay interest and all this other jazz. So I finally gave up. I really really should have pressed her to escalate this even more, but I was so tired of fighting and to be honest, didn't have $450 at the time. Either way, this is why I'm trying to figure out why it would've been illegal for a business to ask for a SSN. :)
All Comments
I'm the same way. I give that number for TAX purposes only (employer, IRS). And, I too will launch into a lecture if anyone asks for it (though it is rare these days). ... Of course I don't give my phone number at checkouts in stores either.
What arguments did you use to convince her it isn't legal to use for identification? I'd be curious of the legal precedent that will uphold your argument. I'm asking so I can use it as well! :) I'm a HUGE privacy advocate, but, sometimes it feels like there's just no way around it.
I was signing up as a new customer for gas service at my new house. When asked for name, address, etc, etc I gave that info to them. Then the SSN. I said "No dice" and proceeded to give them the reasons why. I asked if there was anyway around that. We went around and round, finally took it up two levels to some Manager or Director or something. They said they would give me service without an SSN if I paid the maximum deposit amount. So I cheerfully said "Great, how much?" They told me they calculate maximum deposit amount based off the highest bill of the last two years. I'm thinking at most it would be $250. They come back and tell me that it will be $450!!
I thought wow, what a price to pay for privacy. But here's the part. The Manager person tells me, "Well if it makes you feel any better you'll be earning 5-6% interest on that deposit." Woohoo I think! Better than a savings account! Then a light goes off. If I earn interest at a bank or any other place of business, the IRS needs to know and the way they are alerted to my interest income is via my Tax ID, AKA SSN. So I ask the Manager about this dilemma. This totally confused her as she said "Well, that's true. Hrm...." And I said "how about this, I'll give you $450 and you just don't worry about paying me interest?" She then said they could not keep money and not pay interest and all this other jazz. So I finally gave up. I really really should have pressed her to escalate this even more, but I was so tired of fighting and to be honest, didn't have $450 at the time. Either way, this is why I'm trying to figure out why it would've been illegal for a business to ask for a SSN. :)