Topic 'Why do they want my social security number?' in forum 'Comcast HSI' - dslreports.com

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:10:17 EDT

rody_44 posted : Try getting a drivers license in the state of PA without a social security number. Not happening any longer. Not post 911, No social security number means no drivers license. Surprised all states are not like that since the homeland security act. Flagged my wife after 28 years of driving because we never changed her social over when we got married. What fun that was. As dar as the DMV is concerned no social means your a terrorist even if you are a 53 year old woman that paid taxes for 38 of them years

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:08:36 EDT

rody_44 posted : And yes you can refuse to give your social security number and they are also legally ALLOWED to require a deposit for doing so. Which is what they do.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:07:19 EDT

rody_44 posted : Comcast bills a month in advance you are always billed for the next months service not for the last.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:37:23 EDT

ROCINANTE posted :

said by TBusiness:

You can try and spin that a deposit means prepaid all you want. But that is not a deposit. You do not understand the word deposit and prepayment or paid upfront.

If it was paid UP FRONT then it would NOT be a deposit. In fact they would tell you that it was paid up front. A deposit means you're putting money into THEIR ACCOUNT which becomes their's if you default on your bill and or not returning equipment. If you are paid in full and leave you would get that back. That is a deposit.

And yes cable has always been one month in advance expect for PPV/on-demand services.

And yes it is different. You are again, claiming that deposit is a prepayment when in fact it is not.

Correct. From an accounting perspective, the deposit does go into the company's cash flow for its own use, but it is not considered income (a prepayment) for which the company has to pay taxes. In other words, the company owes this money back to the customer.
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Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:37:27 EDT

IowaCowboy posted : Or just say you don't have a social security number. Then they'll want a driver's license/state ID card to provide service. Here in Massachusetts, they require you to provide a social security card (metal version not acceptable) and number to obtain a driver's license/state ID. If you don't have an SSN, you have to show an acceptable letter of denial from the Social Security Administration. They also check the SSN you provide against the computers at Social Security when you go to the DMV.

My driver's license number is a randomly assigned DMV number.
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I've experienced ImOn (when they were McLeod USA), Mediacom, Comcast, and Time Warner. They are much better than broadcast TV.

I have not and will not cut the cord.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:11:57 EDT

ExoticFish posted : So I assume you never had a car loan ?

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:47:27 EDT

IanR posted : I routinely refuse to provide my social security number to utility type companies and cable companies. They express surprise, I think because they usually steam roll people into providing it. But there is NO LEGAL basis for their asking for it and they cannot turn you down legally if you refuse to provide it.
Basically I do NOT want my SS# to be housed on multitudes of computers which get routinely hacked.
Companies usually then ask for a slightly larger initial deposit. But they can do all the credit reviews they need w/o a SS#.

In short your SS# is between YOU and the Government period. Nobody else has a legal right to insist on it being given to them.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 06:57:05 EDT

rody_44 posted : Comcasts front line of defense is their own computer. The fact that they have access to everyone that ever lived at that address and access to every person that ever stiffed them. Clear them two hurdles and your good to go. Im surprised they even checked your state registry because they usually dont. Generally the most important fact is if the last person at that address paid the bill when it was canceled. If no money is owed generally they dont go much further than that and dont require a deposit or social unless of course you are ordering a ton of equipment. Around here a new business wont even show up in the state registry for 1 to 2 months after filing the articles of incorporation.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:26:47 EDT

joako posted : You can try business service. Those sharks are so eager to sell you service they grossly misspelled my business name and when they told me they couldn't find the name in the registrar of corporations I just ignored them. They still installed the service and they never asked for a tax ID or SSN.

The only downside is there's a long term contract with stiff termination penalties. In my case, they really couldn't enforce it. Worst case they'll sue a business that does not exist.
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PRescott7-2097

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:30:05 EDT

gustavenla68 posted :

said by ZW_Joe This has nothing to do with that. Have you ever seen how they treat the hardware when you give it back. They have drop boxes outside their offices. Drop. Boxes.

Companies like Comcast, Experian, etc. are the reason for so much private consumer information being out on the open market. They'll give anyone a cable account, even if you have bad credit. Don't be fooled by this ploy.

They do it because they want to suck as much info about you and then sell it back to marketeers and they can. They don't and can't mark your credit file either, so it's not like getting a car loan. They really shouldn't have access to this, or even need you SSN for anything. It's a stupid cable or Internet service, not something truly important.
[/BQUOTE :

1. They don't need your social security number to sell information about you. Marketers don't care about that. All they care about is your demographics.

2. They do what is a called a soft pull. they also want the information so if you do fail to pay your bill or return equipment they can send it to collections and report it to the credit companies.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 09:22:45 EDT

bobjohnson posted :

said by damonlab:

I tried to a signup and they said I had to either provide them my social security number, pay a deposit, or visit a service center. I do not like any of those options.

They're calling it a risk assessment check. But they are checking credit in some markets. Cable is/was the only ones left that weren't checking credit.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 09:04:27 EDT

rody_44 posted : Yea that has been a problem for them. Some people have newer social security numbers for a reason. For them people its a trip to the local office to prove identity and age. Not everyone needs to prove anything. Comcasts computer keeps pretty dam good track of people when it comes to them getting stiffed. But of course most people have more than one person per name. But only one social assigned.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 04:11:36 EDT

Aozora posted :

said by rody_44:

They dont lose much, LOL it can easily be more than a phone. Part of the game for many years has been start with minimum and order more to try and get as much as they can. You would be surprised how many one year olds have accounts with comcast. Finally at least comcast has smartened up to make sure the social is at least a certain amount of years old. Nothing like knocking on a door to collect the cable bill to be pointed to a baby as the account holder. No less than a hundred times that happened to me when i worked for comcast. Them days are over thanks to this exact policy.

My social is less than one year old. I am over 20 yrs old. You can change socials in your life. That is why I said earlier fixing anything with the government can be hell.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 17:27:34 EDT

yyzlhr posted :

said by ZW_Joe:

said by ExoticFish:

Because if you get cable boxes, DVRs, modems etc... Running a credit check shows how much you can be trusted with their products. It's not only service.

This has nothing to do with that. Have you ever seen how they treat the hardware when you give it back. They have drop boxes outside their offices. Drop. Boxes.

Companies like Comcast, Experian, etc. are the reason for so much private consumer information being out on the open market. They'll give anyone a cable account, even if you have bad credit. Don't be fooled by this ploy.

They do it because they want to suck as much info about you and then sell it back to marketeers and they can. They don't and can't mark your credit file either, so it's not like getting a car loan. They really shouldn't have access to this, or even need you SSN for anything. It's a stupid cable or Internet service, not something truly important.

Um no, perhaps you've never worked at an MSO, and have not seen people who purposely sign up several times and purposely not pay their bills, and they rinse and repeat until the MSO catches on and eventually blacklists them from ever getting service again. Having that ID information on file, helps service providers cross reference deadbeats to ensure they're not racking up large bills that will never be paid.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 14:34:31 EDT

taz291819 posted : They didn't ask me for my SSN, nor did I have to pay a deposit, just the rate for the first month's service.

Though, this may be because I only got internet through them, and I owned my own modem.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:07:11 EDT

rody_44 posted : LOL. Get service and just show your id and lets see if you stiff them If it doesnt make it to your credit score. Because it most certainly will unless of course they allow people to order service under fake names.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 19:11:30 EDT

ExoticFish posted : It absolutely does. Get service, then don't pay your bill and see if they don't also charge you for your equipment. I never said they care how it's treated but don't think for one second any company will overlook a chance to charge you full retail price for equipment they own and allow you to use.
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Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 19:00:05 EDT

ZW_Joe posted :

said by ExoticFish:

Because if you get cable boxes, DVRs, modems etc... Running a credit check shows how much you can be trusted with their products. It's not only service.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 22:01:10 EDT

ExoticFish posted : Identity theft is something totally different. Yes, using your underage child's SS# is still identity theft.

And it doesn't matter how much they lose product wise, it's still theirs.
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Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:39:27 EDT

rody_44 posted : They dont lose much, LOL it can easily be more than a phone. Part of the game for many years has been start with minimum and order more to try and get as much as they can. You would be surprised how many one year olds have accounts with comcast. Finally at least comcast has smartened up to make sure the social is at least a certain amount of years old. Nothing like knocking on a door to collect the cable bill to be pointed to a baby as the account holder. No less than a hundred times that happened to me when i worked for comcast. Them days are over thanks to this exact policy.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:58:38 EDT

ExoticFish posted : Because if you get cable boxes, DVRs, modems etc... Running a credit check shows how much you can be trusted with their products. It's not only service.
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»www.VAJeeps.com
»www.BronzedBod.com

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:46:28 EDT

SpottedCat posted : Why do they even need to do a credit check? This is not like a cel phone where they subsidize an expensive phone and actually lose money if you stop paying...

If you stop paying your cable bill they simply disconnect you. The company doesn't lose much, and you pay for installation anyway so they already recovered that cost.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:08:42 EDT

NightOwl2 posted : (OT)Thank your mother for moving you! I worked in protective services many, many years ago, in a rural area, and still shudder at the memories, stories you don't even see on tv.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:57:19 EDT

IowaCowboy posted :

said by NightOwl2:

Asking for SSN, or possibly, Driver's License, as ID as verification to receive services is nothing new. Charter required my number in 2001 as did my cell phone provider. Landlords and employers run credit inquiries. Comcast Chicago accounts needed ID at least in 2004, if not sooner. TWC only received moved to credit checks which shut down a lot of potential sales. Creating false SSN's and papers for migrant workers, among others, has been a thriving business for years. Add to that, parents using their children's SSN's to obtain utilities. These financial losses add to the regular consumer's cost of service.

When I was 3 years old, we lived in a duplex and the neighbors in the downstairs unit were complete dirtbags with kids (kids ended up getting taken by child protective services) and domestic violence was a nightly occurrence. We ended up moving because my mother feared for our safety.

My mother looked in the phone book and found that they had put the phone in their 18 month old's name because they had the phone shut off for non-payment.
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I've experienced ImOn (when they were McLeod USA), Mediacom, Comcast, and Time Warner. They are much better than broadcast TV.

I have not and will not cut the cord.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:03:12 EDT

NightOwl2 posted : Asking for SSN, or possibly, Driver's License, as ID as verification to receive services is nothing new. Charter required my number in 2001 as did my cell phone provider. Landlords and employers run credit inquiries. Comcast Chicago accounts needed ID at least in 2004, if not sooner. TWC only received moved to credit checks which shut down a lot of potential sales. Creating false SSN's and papers for migrant workers, among others, has been a thriving business for years. Add to that, parents using their children's SSN's to obtain utilities. These financial losses add to the regular consumer's cost of service.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:56:37 EDT

dvd536 posted :

said by TBusiness:

Which in most cases is a good share of people now days. Companies that base things off credit is declining. look at the prepaid cell market compared to the contract side. contract is losing customers and prepaid is picking up customers. when more and more companies see that, they'll move away from credit terms. The same as other countries, just the US is slow at that- hence why we still don't use metric for every day living.

prepaid is winning because it doesn't have all the unfees that postpaid does. the providers know if they pull this shit theres no etf or any of the other make money off unhappy subs charges.
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Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:17:42 EDT

aabaaf posted : They want it for the same reasons everyone else has stated before. The deposit "MAY" be returned to you after X months/years of good repayment, but most likely will just be held in deposit with COMCAST, till you terminate your service. The deposit again depending on the area, must be paid before your install date, and can be required to be paid up to a week or so before, or they will cancel the install appointment, and the entire order will need to be setup again. You would lose any and all specials and promos that you were given the first time, and most likely would not be able to get them back. The service center option, is to show a COMCAST representative your ID, so that YOU do not have to be there on the day of install, that another person, wife, child over 18, neighbor, etc..... could be there while you are at work. As stated the deposit is a deposit, it does not cover the first month of service, or anything, and will be returned to you a few weeks after you terminate service with them. The amount can vary depending on what type of service, service level, and equipment you want. The main reason to require it, are the area you live in, has had a past bad history, or that you want a DVR, one of the most $$$$$$$$$$$ pieces of equipment from COMCAST.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:45:51 EDT

Master Wolfe posted :

said by noc007

The one that's 15 miles away that "services" my home address and the one that' 3 miles away from work both had grumpy, mean women. I would contribute money towards some giggalos for those ladies. The last time I went to a service center, it was when they were opening and the rep just tore up the first customer; all of the customers were polite and patient so there was no grounds for her to rip the guy a new one just for doing what the phone CSR told him to do.

Giggalos?

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 09:56:40 EDT

PeteC2 posted :

said by damonlab:

I tried to a signup and they said I had to either provide them my social security number, pay a deposit, or visit a service center. I do not like any of those options.

When one is opening a monthly account for a service from a company, it is not unreasonable to expect that said company either wants to establish a customer's ability/willingness to pay historically, or in lieu of that, ask for a substantial enough deposit to lessen their potential loss if the customer does not pay.

What other options could they offer that would satisfy this criteria?
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Deeds, not words

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 09:42:40 EDT

noc007 posted : If you can go to the service center and not have to do a deposit, it may be worth it. If you're going to pay a deposit regardless, do it over the phone. In my area, since I didn't want to hand them my SSN, I had to go to a service center and give them a $50 deposit for the one piece of equipment. They couldn't do that over the phone. They eventually credited the deposit back to me a little after a year.

Know exactly what you want and be prepared to pay any deposits that you may need to pay so you can get out of there fast. Keep in mind that the people at the service center can be mean. The one that's 15 miles away that "services" my home address and the one that' 3 miles away from work both had grumpy, mean women. I would contribute money towards some giggalos for those ladies. The last time I went to a service center, it was when they were opening and the rep just tore up the first customer; all of the customers were polite and patient so there was no grounds for her to rip the guy a new one just for doing what the phone CSR told him to do.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 06:52:51 EDT

anon posted : They'll still try to pull a credit report, but you can order AT&T on their website without an SSN (maybe with a bogus name?). They'll send you a letter or just put the order on hold and ask you for a $50 or $100 payment which is immediately applied to your bill/balance.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 17:46:53 EDT

Johkal posted :

said by damonlab:

I tried to a signup and they said I had to either provide them my social security number, pay a deposit, or visit a service center. I do not like any of those options.

What option were you looking for? ;)

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 16:51:33 EDT

TBusiness posted : You can try and spin that a deposit means prepaid all you want. But that is not a deposit. You do not understand the word deposit and prepayment or paid upfront.

If it was paid UP FRONT then it would NOT be a deposit. In fact they would tell you that it was paid up front. A deposit means you're putting money into THEIR ACCOUNT which becomes their's if you default on your bill and or not returning equipment. If you are paid in full and leave you would get that back. That is a deposit.

And yes cable has always been one month in advance expect for PPV/on-demand services.

And yes it is different. You are again, claiming that deposit is a prepayment when in fact it is not.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:46:47 EDT

rody_44 posted : No you only get the first month even with a credit check. After the first month everyone is paying for the next month of service. Comcast use to let people get as much as 2 months out without paying. Its like 15 days now. because they bill in advance and let you get to 45 days means They are shutting you off at 15 days now even tho its 45 days late. When you get your cable bill its for the next month of service not the last. The security deposit essentially means its pre paid. cable has always been based on your paying for the next month of service and not the last. If you do or dont pay the security deposit your first bill is going to be for the time between then and the first bill plus the second month. Payable on that bill. Not really pre paid but not much different .

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:45:54 EDT

TBusiness posted : VZW is approving everyone anymore due to prepaid is more popular now.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:45:13 EDT

TBusiness posted : not totally. prepaid means no deposit. meaning you pay in advanced for services. that deposit only ensures that if you do not pay your services, they keep what ever you owe them and then return what you do not. pre-paid services you don't get a refund.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:41:20 EDT

rody_44 posted : And thats basically what a security deposit accomplishes. Basically makes it pre paid. All of comcasts customers and all cable companies are technically pre paid as we all are paying for the month in advance.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:40:31 EDT

IowaCowboy posted : Verizon Wireless approved my credit for contract service despite having past credit problems. Of course I pay them and Comcast on-time every month. When a recession hits, sometimes you have to prioritize your bills like paying the rent/mortgage and utilities (phone, electric, etc) before the credit cards.

I am not going to go into too much detail on my financial situation as this is not the forum for it nor do I wish to go into detail.

I am probably not the only one in this situation. Many companies are lowering their credit standards in order to open an account (such as cell providers and cable/satellite companies).

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I've experienced ImOn (when they were McLeod USA), Mediacom, Comcast, and Time Warner. They are much better than broadcast TV.

I have not and will not cut the cord.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:33:56 EDT

TBusiness posted : Which in most cases is a good share of people now days. Companies that base things off credit is declining. look at the prepaid cell market compared to the contract side. contract is losing customers and prepaid is picking up customers. when more and more companies see that, they'll move away from credit terms. The same as other countries, just the US is slow at that- hence why we still don't use metric for every day living.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:10:02 EDT

anon posted : If you choose to pay a deposit, make sure you are present for the install. You should then be required to show a photo ID at time of install to prove your identity, if not the tech is required to cancel your appointment.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 11:48:02 EDT

beachintech posted : Yes they do. You either pay a larger install (deposit fee), or you get a credit check + install fee, unless there is a promo.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 11:43:27 EDT

IowaCowboy posted : They don't do credit checks in all markets. When I signed up years ago (2006), I had to pay for the first month of service in advance to the installer.

Some areas may prohibit them from running credit checks in their franchising agreement. Where I live (Springfield, MA which is an urban area) they would not have any customers if they ran credit checks.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 11:29:56 EDT

beachintech posted : New for many years, sure.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 05:44:36 EDT

djcrazy posted : This is so they can do a credit check. I didn't even know you could just pay a deposit in lieu of providing a SSN or I probably would have chosen this option. I have had service with them since they were AT&T ( Thank god that changed, I loath AT&T) so maybe that deposit option is new.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 04:53:40 EDT

Aozora posted : So they accidentally lose it or some lazy service person sells it on the black market. Trust me, the process you have through go to to fix anything with the government is hell. Everyone, as you can see on this forum, is more than happy to shell out their number so we have all these companies who "require" that you provide it to them.

Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 22:03:59 EDT

gar187er posted :

said by damonlab:

I tried to a signup and they said I had to either provide them my social security number, pay a deposit, or visit a service center. I do not like any of those options.

youre not going to be able to get a car/cell phone/internet/shelter or many other things in life if you dont do at least 2 of those things.
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Re: Why do they want my social security number?

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 21:03:34 EDT

ExoticFish posted : Credit check...

Don't like them ? Don't get service.

Why do they want my social security number?

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 20:58:30 EDT

damonlab posted : I tried to a signup and they said I had to either provide them my social security number, pay a deposit, or visit a service center. I do not like any of those options.