Posted by SharonMN on 1/12/06 10:29am
Msg #87817

Giving personal info to SS

Hello all. I was wondering how you all respond when a SS requests a lot of personal info. I recently received a pkg to fill out and return asking for:

- Copy of my social security card
- Copy of my driver license
- W-9
- Voided check because they pay direct deposit

I usuallly fill out the agreement, etc. and send it back with a note saying "for information security reasons, my policy is not to give out certain information to prospective sources of work. I'd be happy to fax my W-9, driver license, etc. upon receipt of my first assignment." I'm uneasy giving a lot of personal info. to a company I only know about through a webpage - seems like a good way to get my identity stolen. Am I shooting myself in the foot with this approach?

Reply by MB_AZ on 1/12/06 10:32am
Msg #87818

Never give SS #. If you don't have an EIN#, get one. Drivers license in a common request but hopefully your DL # is not your SS #. A voided check? never heard of that.

Reply by Art_MD on 1/12/06 10:47am
Msg #87827

I'd be VERY careful with this request.

With the info requested, they would have everything needed to steal your identity and empty your bank account.

I have never heard of a SS that does direct deposit. If you don't want to post the SS's name, could you e-mail it to me and I can talk with several SA I work with and see what I can find out about them.

Art

Reply by srnotary_CA on 1/12/06 10:52am
Msg #87834

THere was an SS I was going to sign up with that wanted all that but can not remember who. Decided that I was not comfortable giving all that info so I didn't.

Reply by NM_CO on 1/12/06 11:05am
Msg #87842

Superior Signing Services (Carlos) does direct deposit. It's great!

Reply by Charm_AL on 1/12/06 10:53am
Msg #87835

While I've been asked for most of that info, I've never had a request for a voided check, would love to know who this company is!

I use an EIN number to replace my ss#, on the copy of the driver's lic, I line out my number and I do send W-9's.

Reply by SharonMN on 1/12/06 11:01am
Msg #87839

Thanks all for your feedback. What I'm really interested in knowing is: Will a SS just decide I'm not worth the trouble if I refuse to provide certain info at sign-up, or is my "info on first assignment" approach reasonable? What do those of you who run signing services think?

Reply by BetsyMI on 1/12/06 11:08am
Msg #87847

I don't run a signing service but I think your approach is reasonable.

Reply by Ellen on 1/12/06 11:06am
Msg #87844

I've been asked for DL and even copy of my auto insurance. My standard reply is I am an independent contractor and that info is not neccessary as I am the one liable. It's always worked for me. By al means get an EIN you can do it on line at www.irs.gov - apply for SS4

Reply by Beth/MD on 1/12/06 1:07pm
Msg #87901

I don't provide copies of my DL or auto insurance coverage. Not needed as I work for myself. I have had a couple of TCs just want my DL for identification purposes so they receive a doctored copy which has DL#, house # and month/day of DOB blacked out. As for as SS# goes, I use an EIN.

Reply by Brenda/CA on 1/12/06 2:09pm
Msg #87924

I have a question for those of you that use a EIN in place of your SSN. When I started this business early last year I used my SSN number when registering/working with companies, and completing the W9 forms. If I decide to change to EIN is it a hassle to change numbers with the companies you currently sign for? And, did anyone else start with an SSN and then switch to an EIN? TIA