Comments on: Does the Electric Company Really Need My Social Security Number?

By: R&E

R&E — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:19:54 +0000

We just went through the same scenario with trying to rent a home in a remote part of MT, and another outside of Sandpoint, ID… cabin on a 1-year lease, cash paid in full at signing of lease. Both property management companies insisted on our SSNs, and wanted to run credit, criminal, and full background checks on us. We refused to provide our SSNs because they did not have a valid reason to have that information. We stood on our principles, and walked away from the homes, but not until we made sure that both companies knew why.

Even the SSA website states that private companies do not need to know or use your SSNs, and that you should have them cite the law that requires them to know, what purpose it would serve, and to give alternative ID. It is even illegal for states to use your SSN as your drivers license numbers and you should go and ask for a new drivers license if it does. It is within your right to have a new one at no additional cost. However, if the private companies insist on the SSN, then you have the right to walk away and not do business with them.

To the comment of C? Did the electric company offer to set up an account with a higher deposit, without the SSN? That is the only option that they can provide. They CANNOT, by law, deny you service based on the refusal of providing your SSN. That is creating a monopolized exclusionary system, because they are usually the only game in town. So, my suggestion, if they didn’t say you could set up an account with a deposit, or a larger than normal deposit, then you should find yourself a lawyer and take them to task over it.

By: C

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:38:25 +0000

After I moved to my new residence I was told flat out by the electric company that I couldn’t even get Electric Service turned on at all if I did NOT provide my SS#. Period!

I would love to be able to live in America without a SS# at all, and not even pay into the governements broke SS system. I do not desire SS to take care of me when I’m old. Not only that, but I was given a SS# at birth, I did not sign for one, or ever request to have one.

Unfortunately, to live in this country, if you need basic admenities like electricity, or a roof over your head either you provide a SS# or you sleep on the cold street & remain homeless.

It’s almost reminance of something I read in the book of Revelation about the Mark of the Beast. I either bow down and worship the Beast, and be good little communist with a SS# used under the color of law for Peace & Safety for the common good to protect us from terrorist, or I starve and sleep in the cold without running water & electricity. This is extortion!!!

These companies say they are protecting you from Identity Theft by requiring a SS#. My argument is if we didn’t have to have a SS# in first place, there would be no Identity Theft to worry about! Nobody could steal your identity using a SS# if you didn’t have one!!

Land of the Free My Foot!

By: alan

alan — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:58:52 +0000

I had the same issue with starting an account at the electric company. I refused to give my SS number, and they made me come to the office personally to show myself and be photographed! I drove 45 miles one way to get there. Absurd!

Another tip: my state, massachusetts, allows drivers to choose an alternate number for their license. I did. So when you give it out, it’s not linked directly to the ss number…. or atleast as far as i know.

lastly, i understand that no one except the treasury/social security can demand your number. It’s illegal for all others to demand it, though they can and do ask for it.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:45:52 +0000

Thank you for this post. I just found when my electric company asked for my husbands social security number I was taken aback. I told the rep we don’t give out our social security number. She said, “It doesn’t matter we have it anyway.” I said, “How do you have it if we never gave it to you?!” She said, “We have a way to look it up.” So much for protecting our social security numbers. Thank you for this post. It helped confirm what the rep said and why it happened. This is very upsetting. As a web database administrator, I find it upsetting they are using this piece of information as personal identification. The chance for identify theft dramatically increases as the number of people increase who have access to this sensitive information.

By: Erin

Erin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:30:34 +0000

Now I need to check my December bill…we were snowed in…

By: PC

PC — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 14:34:55 +0000

The utility company here is going to be changing our meters to ones that can be read remotely by a computer. I spoke to the meter reader and the company is eliminating routes and laying off this staff yet they just asked for a rate increase with the Illinois Commerce Commission. Ameren got a rate increase last year too.

I’m putting aside money now for getting a wood stove. I loved the photo of your wood stove. I remember an elderly Italian immigrant neighbor who had a wood cook stove and the time in her kitchen while she was baby-sitting me as a child. Lovely memories. The only place we have for a wood stove is in the living room however and not nearly enough room for a cook stove. My former home had fireplaces and I truly miss having a secondary source of heat. Especially after the terrible ice storms in late January.

I also put a shortcut to this blog on my desktop and intend to read each and every entry. Thank you for putting this information out there to inspire me. The ideas are flowing as I read your blog.

I was recently downsized from my job so this type of information is truly useful.