Any reason for us to collect Social Security Numbers anymore?

[JD Martin]

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]

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