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 ???
Nixon and Elvis. Nice.
Or go with Copper.net instead.
Probably since 9/11.
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.
Nevada used to claim that your SS# wasn't used for driver's license purposes until someone figured out that you just had to take the license ID number and divide it by two to get the holder's SS#. Oops!
:) he he.
If they ask for a tephone number use 202-456-1414.
Tell them to pound sand. I don't give my number to anyone-Had a battle with SBC over "lifeline" rates because they wanted a copy of my most recent tas return. I told her that is between me, my CPA, and the IRS. NO one else gets a thing off that paperwork. I have to almost triple my phone basic charge, so there goes another bite into my soc sec of about $900/mo, but I don't let that info out.
TOO many people are asking for that info on a cavalier basis. They seem to think they are ENTITLED to have that info. I tell them to pound sand.
I've never heard of that. Is there another company you can get access through or is that the only one that services the area? (That might be the reason why they ask-no competition, so they do what they want).
Rip off HA!
I get 5 megs down 550 up for $45
what a deal
It is common as part of a credit check process. A SSN can be used to validate financial and educational information.""
Let them contact your prior provider. That is all the payment timely proof you really need.
A Calif woman has found that a Male Mexican is working in eastern Washington on a horse farm with HER soc Sec number. The bank has issued HIM a PICTURE credit card with her name and his picture. When she contacted the credit card people to have it stopped because he is using her number, their answer was" We cannot stop the card because he is paying the bill timely". Yet they acknowledge that they issued a PICTURE card to him with her name, which is obviously a female name.
What a wonderful world we live in in the name of the dollar.
Time Warner does this all the time. They are seeking three things when they ask for your SSN:
1. They want to run a credit check.
2. They want to make sure that you do not have an outstanding bill with TW someplace else (i.e you moved without paying your bill at the last address)
3. They are collecting demographic information on you in order to better "market" services tailored to what they believe your individual needs. They "assess" these needs based upon such factors as:
age
occupation
income level
credit history
level of education
home owner or renter?
And a host of others...
TW uses this information in their own marketing campaigns, and quite probably, sells this information to other people who might be interested in it as well.
You can refuse to hand that information out, but don't be surprised if the process of obtaining cable TV or broadband access just became a little tougher because the idiot on the phone doesn't know what to do when a customer doesn't answer a question.
Heck, I use my SS# as my logon password for everything--work and home 'puters, ebay and other online stores, my ATM PIN, etc.....;^)""
I wouldn't. Too easy to have someone create an identiry theft scam on you.
Technically, it is not illegal to ask you for it and if you give it to them then you're stuck. But legally you don't have to give it to them and they are obligated to generate a unique ID for your account. SSN can only be used when federal money or taxes are involved, like if you use medical services under medicare. It also is not supposed to be used for driver's license IDs any longer. Some places like hospitals force the issue and demand the number or you don't get services (this is so they can rat you out to the feds if you skip on the bill). It is despicable, but you usually have a choice to take your business elsewhere.
age
occupation
income level
credit history
level of education
home owner or renter?
And a host of others... ""
If they insist on all that from me and I cannot get the service I need from anyone else, I make up answers as I go. None of is will be true when I am done.
Tell them you want your service billed to your credit card account, thus they don't need an SSN.
I went through a similar situation a few years ago with a text pager and Ameritech. Paid for the pager hardware and a years service IN ADVANCE using my Credit Card.
Person at the branch wanted my SSN - told them there was no reason as I was paying for everything via CC. They claimed it was their "policy". I declined and pressed it to higher management. Each time I spoke to a person that couldn't explain the reason I requested to speak to their manager. Kept a log of names, numbers, titles, etc.
I escalated the issue to a VP of operations at Ameritech and they acknowledged it should not have been required and offered to "fix the problem".
It was resolved.
Just don't give 'em yours.
The only difference between Time Warner and Adelphia is Time Warner has not been caught yet. Adelphia wanted my SS# but they didn't get it.
Another unclear on the concept....
The request is to make sure the cable bill gets paid, not as a tool to control your "internet access".
You would be amazed at the number of flakes who don't pay their cable bill, and we all have to deal with the fallout.
Of course, it begs the question: how do illegals who "borrow" other people's SS number get away with it?
Send them a check for a year's service in advance and use a bogus SS number. I bet they cash the check and give you the internet service. Cable Companies are not in the habit of turning down checks.
Actually, that would be more likely if there were MORE than one provider. Lacking any competition, there's little or no reason to listen to what the customer wants.
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