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Since when did you need a SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER to get Internet Access ???
Vanity | 2/17/06 | Self

Posted on 02/17/2006 8:23:38 AM PST by Salgak

This is a wierd one. I'm about to move to West Virginia, and looking into getting broadband there.

And Time-Warner Cable claims they need my SOCIAL SECURITY number in order to apply for Internet Access. Anyone ever heard of such a requirement before ???


TOPICS: Technical; US: West Virginia; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: internet; roadrunner; socialsecurity; timewarner
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1 posted on 02/17/2006 8:23:41 AM PST by Salgak
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To: Salgak
Fraud alert??

OR...

Find another provider....
IMHO...

2 posted on 02/17/2006 8:24:37 AM PST by Wings-n-Wind (The answers are out there; Wisdom is gained by asking the right questions)
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To: Salgak

Can't say that I have.


3 posted on 02/17/2006 8:24:43 AM PST by Just another Joe (Warning: FReeping can be addictive and helpful to your mental health)
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To: Salgak

Verizon used to ask for your SSN when you tried to change your phone service. They stopped the practice after customer complaints.

Don't give it. Keep calling until you find someone who will take your monthly ripoff payment without it.


4 posted on 02/17/2006 8:26:12 AM PST by LurkedLongEnough
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To: Salgak

They use it run a credit check.


5 posted on 02/17/2006 8:26:24 AM PST by brothers4thID (Being lectured by Ted Kennedy on ethics is not unlike being lectured on dating protocol by Ted Bundy)
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To: Salgak

is there any chance it is a credity check, like with utilities?


6 posted on 02/17/2006 8:26:28 AM PST by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: Salgak

Probably want to check your credit report to see if you pay your bills ... I don't care if your credit rating is the best in the world, this is BS and you should refuse.


7 posted on 02/17/2006 8:26:44 AM PST by cinives (On some planets what I do is considered normal.)
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To: Salgak

Cox Communications requires an SSN for security purposes.....I did give it to them when I signed up for their cable/internet service.


8 posted on 02/17/2006 8:26:48 AM PST by indcons
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To: Salgak

Probably for credit though I can't imagine why.


9 posted on 02/17/2006 8:27:00 AM PST by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
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To: Salgak

Just give them a wrong number.


10 posted on 02/17/2006 8:27:09 AM PST by stuartcr (Everything happens as God wants it to.....otherwise, things would be different.)
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To: Salgak

I don't know how much of a requirement it is. I do believe that legally speaking, the only people that can demand one's SS# as proof of identity are banks and the IRS. Everyone else just uses them because they are a convenient way to assign someone a unique "customer ID" (instead of generating their own, which I guess is a hassle).

At any rate, if you really didn't want to, then I believe you have the right to deny giving it to them, as they aren't a government entitity. But they may say it's "for a credit check" or something like that. If you stick to your guns though, you'll probably not have to at all.


11 posted on 02/17/2006 8:27:12 AM PST by FourtySeven (47)
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To: Wings-n-Wind

In our area, there is only one provider. If they want your business, they'll find another 'tracking' number to use.


12 posted on 02/17/2006 8:27:19 AM PST by Indy Pendance
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To: Salgak

It is common as part of a credit check process. A SSN can be used to validate financial and educational information.


13 posted on 02/17/2006 8:27:30 AM PST by mnehring (Perry 06- It's better than a hippie in a cowboy hat or a commie with blue hair.)
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To: Salgak
From this link:

We do several things to protect your number from misuse. For example, we require and carefully inspect proof of identity from people who apply to replace lost or stolen Social Security cards, or for corrected cards. One reason we do this is to prevent people from fraudulently obtaining Social Security numbers to establish false identities. We maintain the privacy of Social Security records unless: The law requires us to disclose information to another government agency; or Your information is needed to conduct Social Security or other government health or welfare program business. You should be very careful about sharing your number and card to protect against misuse of your number. Giving your number is voluntary even when you are asked for the number directly. If requested, you should ask: Why your number is needed; How your number will be used; What happens if you refuse; and What law requires you to give your number. The answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to give your Social Security number. The decision is yours

14 posted on 02/17/2006 8:28:29 AM PST by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: Salgak

Use 567-68-0515 or 409-52-2002.


15 posted on 02/17/2006 8:28:30 AM PST by isthisnickcool (Jack Bauer: "By the time I'm finished with you you're going to wish you felt this good again".)
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To: Salgak

Heck, I use my SS# as my logon password for everything--work and home 'puters, ebay and other online stores, my ATM PIN, etc.....;^)


16 posted on 02/17/2006 8:28:35 AM PST by randog (What the....?!)
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To: Salgak

The want it to report you to the credit bureau if you don't pay your bill.


17 posted on 02/17/2006 8:28:37 AM PST by Mr. Brightside (I know what I like.)
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To: Salgak
My brother went for his driver's license in California several years ago.

When he got the license he looked at the long number they gave him, he asked the clerk why they didn't just use the driver's social security number instead.

Her answer:

It wouldn't work in California. There are too many people.

18 posted on 02/17/2006 8:29:06 AM PST by N. Theknow (Kennedys - Can't drive, can't fly, can't ski, can't skipper a boat - But they know what's best.)
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To: Salgak
They probably want it for a credit check, as they're giving you hardware, and don't want you disappearing with their stuff. (Although I've moved twice, and no one has ever wanted their cable modems back...)

A lot of people use Richard Nixon's SSN. If they check, they'll probably call you for the real one. If they don't, no harm done. 567-68-0515.
19 posted on 02/17/2006 8:30:15 AM PST by July 4th (A vacant lot cancelled out my vote for Bush.)
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To: mewzilla

Bump!


20 posted on 02/17/2006 8:30:27 AM PST by auboy (The press practices free screech. And they're really good at it.)
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