Can I ask for a Social Security Number?

[mydojos]

What is the name of your state? Iowa

We are a business that offers memberships, much like a gym membership. People sign up for a certain period of time & our billing company, which operates out of Colorado, charges the customer's credit card or bank account each month until the contract ends (and then it becomes an open ended renewal, much like a gym or cell phone company). On the form the customer fills out we ask for the responsible party's social security number.

In the state of Iowa is it legal to ask for their social security number on this type of form? If so, can you please show me how I can prove that to the customer's who have said I can't ask for it. And if not, can you please show me where it's written that I can't & why?

Thank you!

 

[Some Random Guy]

There are going to be a certain percentage of people who will refuse to give out their social security numbers due to fears of identity theft or because they believe you have no business getting that number.

What you need to do is to have a clear policy of how to handle the customers who refuse without pissing them off.

 

[LAWYER-002]

What is the name of your state? Iowa

We are a business that offers memberships, much like a gym membership. People sign up for a certain period of time & our billing company, which operates out of Colorado, charges the customer's credit card or bank account each month until the contract ends (and then it becomes an open ended renewal, much like a gym or cell phone company). On the form the customer fills out we ask for the responsible party's social security number.

In the state of Iowa is it legal to ask for their social security number on this type of form? If so, can you please show me how I can prove that to the customer's who have said I can't ask for it. And if not, can you please show me where it's written that I can't & why?

Thank you!

My response:

You have no legal right to have their number. You can ask, but you may not insist on it as part of doing business with you. You need to read the Social Security Act of 1934, and it's amendments. Part of that Act clearly states that the number IS NOT to be used for purposes of identification. The only organizations who are entitled to that number are taxing and other governmental entities.

IAAL

P.S. Also, this has nothing to do with Iowa, or any State, law. It's Federal Law.

 

[SharkUW]

My response:

You have no legal right to have their number. You can ask, but you may not insist on it as part of doing business with you. You need to read the Social Security Act of 1934, and it's amendments. Part of that Act clearly states that the number IS NOT to be used for purposes of identification. The only organizations who are entitled to that number are taxing and other governmental entities.

IAAL

P.S. Also, this has nothing to do with Iowa, or any State, law. It's Federal Law.

If that's so, then why do financial institutions use the SSN for credit records identification?

 

[rachelsfx]

You're not a bank

If that's so, then why do financial institutions use the SSN for credit records identification?

Why do u need it? Nobody needs that unless they are lending money, etc. SSN is NOT supposed to be used for ID purposes anyway. You better make sure the ones you have are nicely lock away. I'd end the practice. Too much identity theft going on. You might also incur liability too if it happened because you are collecting SSNs you shouldn't be in the first place.