Someone in CA asked me if he has to provide his SS# to his dealer. He is not financing with them or VW, but the dealer is apparently insisting that the government requires it. He is not convinced that he needs to provide it to the dealer. Any opinions on this? vwguild?
About providing Social Security # to dealer?
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Re: About providing Social Security # to dealer? (av_audi)
My understanding is it is actually ILLEGAL to require someone to provide their SSN for any purpose other than obtain social security benefits. But that law seems to be observed about as much as the law requiring you to drive 35 MPH on Wilshire Blvd.
My understanding is it is actually ILLEGAL to require someone to provide their SSN for any purpose other than obtain social security benefits. But that law seems to be observed about as much as the law requiring you to drive 35 MPH on Wilshire Blvd.
Re: About providing Social Security # to dealer? (av_audi)
You might have to provide a social security number if you were paying CASH (as in many $100 bills) for your car. The dealer has to file a report with the treasury dept. for cash received if over $10,000. Something to do with tracing drug money, etc. As you may guess, paying cash for a car could result in a visit from someone in the government.
You might have to provide a social security number if you were paying CASH (as in many $100 bills) for your car. The dealer has to file a report with the treasury dept. for cash received if over $10,000. Something to do with tracing drug money, etc. As you may guess, paying cash for a car could result in a visit from someone in the government.
Re: About providing Social Security # to dealer? (SCPassat)
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This person has financing arranged through his bank or something, not VW or the dealer, so why should the dealer need his SS#? They shouldn't need it when you pay cash either (not with green bills, but with a check or money order
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quote:[HR][/HR]You might have to provide a social security number if you were paying CASH (as in many $100 bills) for your car.[HR][/HR]
I think you'll get that visit from a government person while you are still at the dealership if you pay in green bills
Re: About providing Social Security # to dealer? (av_audi)
Remember that the government likes to stick its nose in practically everywhere. Even though he's paying cash, the dealer takes care of registration and taxes. Your friend is paying these as listed in the car sales release, right? Normally, that's the way it works. If your friend wants to get credit for having registered his car correctly and paid taxes on the purchase, and possibly even state property taxes (I don't know about your state's laws), then he'll hand over the SS#.
What's illegal is to collect and retain social security numbers for purposes other than legal purposes. This is a legal purpose- registering the car and paying taxes on it. No worries. Good thing your friend is guarding his information- props.
Remember that the government likes to stick its nose in practically everywhere. Even though he's paying cash, the dealer takes care of registration and taxes. Your friend is paying these as listed in the car sales release, right? Normally, that's the way it works. If your friend wants to get credit for having registered his car correctly and paid taxes on the purchase, and possibly even state property taxes (I don't know about your state's laws), then he'll hand over the SS#.
What's illegal is to collect and retain social security numbers for purposes other than legal purposes. This is a legal purpose- registering the car and paying taxes on it. No worries. Good thing your friend is guarding his information- props.
Re: About providing Social Security # to dealer? (DCdave)
I actually asked my father and he called a fleet manager he knows at some dealership. The guy said they ask for the SS#, without exception. Setting aside the great debate about the use of SS# for ID, I also told him he shouldn't worry since car dealerships routinely handle SS#s, and that they would get in very deep trouble if they screwed around with that information. So the info tends to be fairly safe with them.
Heck, I am about to take delivery of a car myself and I just took care of the paperwork in advance of pickup. He made me pause and think for a second, and made me want to find the answer too. I guess paranoia is contageous
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, but a healthy little dose of it in this world doesn't hurt
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I actually asked my father and he called a fleet manager he knows at some dealership. The guy said they ask for the SS#, without exception. Setting aside the great debate about the use of SS# for ID, I also told him he shouldn't worry since car dealerships routinely handle SS#s, and that they would get in very deep trouble if they screwed around with that information. So the info tends to be fairly safe with them.
Heck, I am about to take delivery of a car myself and I just took care of the paperwork in advance of pickup. He made me pause and think for a second, and made me want to find the answer too. I guess paranoia is contageous
Re: About providing Social Security # to dealer? (av_audi)
The request for a SSN is only required by me, along with a Signed Credit
Application, if I am asked to accept a personal check for $25-$35K.
If a customer is bringing a Cashier's/Certified/Brokerage check then it is
totally unncecessary.
All of this said...Identity theft originating in an Automobile Dealership via the
use of a SSN is really a stretch. Instead, look for the Checker at a store that
asks to see your Driver's License when you cash a personal check, or when
you use a credit card & they ask for a second ID, like your DL.
There is no Governmental Agency that requires a SSN. We are required to
maintain copies of the driver's License(with a picture) & a Proof of Insurance card.
And Cup1...that may be true, but if you want a loan you will provide alot
more than your SSN...
[Modified by vwguild, 11:23 PM 11-30-2001]
[Modified by vwguild, 11:25 PM 11-30-2001]
[Modified by vwguild, 12:44 PM 12-2-2001]
The request for a SSN is only required by me, along with a Signed Credit
Application, if I am asked to accept a personal check for $25-$35K.
If a customer is bringing a Cashier's/Certified/Brokerage check then it is
totally unncecessary.
All of this said...Identity theft originating in an Automobile Dealership via the
use of a SSN is really a stretch. Instead, look for the Checker at a store that
asks to see your Driver's License when you cash a personal check, or when
you use a credit card & they ask for a second ID, like your DL.
There is no Governmental Agency that requires a SSN. We are required to
maintain copies of the driver's License(with a picture) & a Proof of Insurance card.
And Cup1...that may be true, but if you want a loan you will provide alot
more than your SSN...
[Modified by vwguild, 11:23 PM 11-30-2001]
[Modified by vwguild, 11:25 PM 11-30-2001]
[Modified by vwguild, 12:44 PM 12-2-2001]
Re: About providing Social Security # to dealer? (vwguild)
I actually nearly had my credit rating ruined due to identity theft (one of those junk mail 1.9% balance transfer offers was stolen) years ago, but was able to restore it after about a year of hassling with the credit card company.
quote:[HR][/HR]
And Cup1...that may be true, but if you want a loan you will provide alot
more than your SSN...
[Modified by vwguild, 11:23 PM 11-30-2001]
[Modified by vwguild, 11:25 PM 11-30-2001][HR][/HR]
True. I have seen some forms which state that you don't HAVE to give your SSN, but that it will substantially delay the application process, or words to that effect.And Cup1...that may be true, but if you want a loan you will provide alot
more than your SSN...
[Modified by vwguild, 11:23 PM 11-30-2001]
[Modified by vwguild, 11:25 PM 11-30-2001][HR][/HR]
I actually nearly had my credit rating ruined due to identity theft (one of those junk mail 1.9% balance transfer offers was stolen) years ago, but was able to restore it after about a year of hassling with the credit card company.
Re: About providing Social Security # to dealer? (Cupholder)
There are very few cases were you are legally required to provide your SSN, but if it is very unlikely you are putting yourself at risk you may want to go ahead and give it. There have been many times I have refused to give my SSN such as on applications for video store membership, but I don't think it's a big deal to give it for an auto loan application.
vwguild makes a good point about driver licenses. When I was in college in Virginia many years ago, your dl# was your SSN (I kept my out of state DL). When I lived in Illinois, they ask if you want your SSN on your license ( I said no). I wouldn't want to get in the situation were anyone who saw my DL had my ssn.
There are very few cases were you are legally required to provide your SSN, but if it is very unlikely you are putting yourself at risk you may want to go ahead and give it. There have been many times I have refused to give my SSN such as on applications for video store membership, but I don't think it's a big deal to give it for an auto loan application.
vwguild makes a good point about driver licenses. When I was in college in Virginia many years ago, your dl# was your SSN (I kept my out of state DL). When I lived in Illinois, they ask if you want your SSN on your license ( I said no). I wouldn't want to get in the situation were anyone who saw my DL had my ssn.
Re: About providing Social Security # to dealer? (av_audi)
What interior/exterior color combo did you get?
quote:[HR][/HR]did you buy a stripper?
Stripper + Monsoon. I had to "compromise" somewhere
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[HR][/HR]
Congrats. My "stripper" has Monsoon and homelink. I am actually liking both of these added toys.Stripper + Monsoon. I had to "compromise" somewhere
[HR][/HR]
What interior/exterior color combo did you get?
Re: About providing Social Security # to dealer? (Cupholder)
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I got a silverstone grey exterior with grey interior, exactly as I wanted. I haven't had a chance to play much with the car yet
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(incredibly busy weekend and now week) but first impressions are very positive.
I still can't believe I finally have a new car, and it's a Passat!
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But I will catch up with the forum only this evening. Shame on me
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quote:[HR][/HR]
Congrats. My "stripper" has Monsoon and homelink. I am actually liking both of these added toys.
What interior/exterior color combo did you get?[HR][/HR]
Thanks!
Congrats. My "stripper" has Monsoon and homelink. I am actually liking both of these added toys.
What interior/exterior color combo did you get?[HR][/HR]
I still can't believe I finally have a new car, and it's a Passat!
Joined
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124 Posts
Re: About providing Social Security # to dealer? (droopy)
I say tell 'em no...and wait to see how bad they want to sell you a car!
LA made the SSN optional on the La Drivers License a few years ago and I opted out.
However, I used to work for one business that has to know your SSN....H&R Block. Without it, you don't get your taxes done. However the IRS has a way of omitting the SSN on copies of electronically transmitted tax returns, they allow the taxpayer to choose a PIN number that is printed on paper copies. And they now assign TPIN numbers (Tax Preparer ID Number) to the tax preparers so they don't have to put their SSN on everyones return.
Tell them NO !
I say tell 'em no...and wait to see how bad they want to sell you a car!
LA made the SSN optional on the La Drivers License a few years ago and I opted out.
However, I used to work for one business that has to know your SSN....H&R Block. Without it, you don't get your taxes done. However the IRS has a way of omitting the SSN on copies of electronically transmitted tax returns, they allow the taxpayer to choose a PIN number that is printed on paper copies. And they now assign TPIN numbers (Tax Preparer ID Number) to the tax preparers so they don't have to put their SSN on everyones return.
Tell them NO !
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