Any reason for us to collect Social Security Numbers anymore?

Question

Good evening fellow landlords!

While doing some website updates, and working on our application form, a thought occurred to me - I'm not sure what purpose collecting Social Security Numbers on applications serves anymore. These days, we do all of our screening through third-party secure companies such as Transunion Smartmove, Experian, etc., and those services verify the identity of those applying, with us providing nothing more than the applicant's name/e-mail address. The quality of the reports has really become excellent overall, and by thoroughly reviewing the credit history, eviction reports and criminal records we've had excellent success placing renters.

I tried to remember the last time I've actually had to use an applicant's SSN and I honestly could not recall anything we had used it for. My only thought was if we needed it for some attempt at wage garnishment from a judgement, but we just don't (knock on wood!) have situations that require suit, and I'd suspect if we did there wouldn't be anything to collect anyway. Personally, I'd love to absolve ourselves of collecting any information we're really not using these days.

So I'm curious to see: what say you? Do you want it just to want it? Do you use it for anything? (We do verify identity with a picture ID at lease signing).

Russell Brazil · Answer

I use to not collect social security numbers......until I needed to send someone to collections and I couldnt. Now I collect them again.

Thomas S. · Answer

Why restrict yourself from having any information that in the future could be of value.

I have used SI# for small claims court. I would not rely on any credit check company that does not use the applicants SI# in screening. Without using the SI# the screening of ...John Smith...could return results for any John Smith, no guarantee it is your applicant.

Making the assumption you will not need something based on past experiences is not being proactive in protecting your business interests. I am fairly certain financial institutions will not discontinue collecting information they may need simply because they have not needed to use it yet. When you do need it will then be too late.

"knock on wood"....are you really prepared to rely on luck to protect yourself.

Do you consider your business investment important enough to protect? Think about it.

JD Martin · Answer

Bueller? Bueller?

Paul Ewing · Answer

Same here, but it was my crummy property manager that didn't get the SSN. Very expensive lesson to always get all information possible and to fire crappy PMs.

Douglas Snook · Answer

I would collect it AND a copy of the their License or whatever else they are using for a photo id. In MA the license number is not the SS number and we have had issues of people trying to pass off as their brother or a parent with lousy credit using a child' name and info.

Basically feel you can't have too much info. You never know when you may need it.

Any reason for us to collect Social Security Numbers anymore?

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