MS asking for social security number?

[lenshanem]

When I called today after I gave my member number they asked for the last four digits of my social. This si the first tiem i think they've ever asked for this.
I wonder why?

 

[spiceycat]

do you have an associate on your membership?

if you do that is why?

 

[lizziepooh]

I was asked this same question today and wondered why. I have no associate on my contract.

 

[TimmyP]

Many companies (banks come to mind) ask for the last 4 digits of your SSN as a means of identification. They won't ask you for the entire number, just a portion.

Probably a good idea in case soemone swipes your Membership card and tries to play around with your account....

Maybe in response to a recent problem they've noticed?

 

[lenshanem]

No associate on my account and just yesterday I called and they didn't ask this, just today.
Wish I wodul ahev asked her why she needed it.

 

[sgtpet]

My guess is that it is an extra security measure. I have no problem with it because if my wallet was stollen the robber could otherwise make transactions with DVC.

 

[PamOKW]

I agree that it's a level of security. I've been asked the same thing with banks and credit cards. Could be they are either trying to get an idea how many times it's not actually the member calling and/or cracking down on non-members making calls using the member's ID.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I have had to call MS quite a few times in the last 2 weeks. About half the calls they asked for the last 4 digits of SS # and the other half of the calls they did not. I just assumed it was an added security measure.

 

[Muushka]

Well we refused to give them our SS number (when we purchased), so hopefully this will not be an issue for us!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Yep, was asked yesterday when I called. As mentioned, probably security measure to prove identity.

I'm sure there are some people who call using the name and member # who really aren't that person.

My Aunt and I are both DVC members. You have each other member #'s. She had needed to use (borrow) my points in the past, I didn't have time to make the reservation for her so I told her to call as me to make it and let me know the points used. Later on she"returned" the points she borrowed by making a reservation for me using her points (she is always borrowed to the max so a transfer wouldn't work) then gave me the reservation # so I could link it to my reservation. I also have her member # because she needed me to check something for her regarding her account when she didn't get a chance to do it herself.

It worked for us since we totally trust each other. But I can see where this may be dangerous for some people. If they are being more careful, fine with me - wouldn't want anyone I don't want calling and messing with reservations or banking and borrowing!

 

[disneyberry]

i actually chatted with an MS CM about this, and basically she told me that there was some new law passed in FL which required higher security for certain things.

so MS has implemented a new policy where they should always ask for you to verify a number of things to double check your identity.

i am actually very happy to hear this, because just the member# alone IMO is not secure enough.

some of us are not that careful about giving out our member# and sometimes correspondence coming from DVC even has our member# printed on the envelope. or if you reside in a state where you must do the new buyers referral using a written postcard, they require you to fill out your member# on the card.

 

[Muushka]

Actually I protect my SSN much more than I would my DVC membership number. For us, they will have to find another way to ID us because they will not have access to our SSN.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Muushka
Actually I protect my SSN much more than I would my DVC membership number. For us, they will have to find another way to ID us because they will not have access to our SSN.

I agree with you - my SSN is more important to me (financially) than is my DVC member number. I don't have a problem giving them the last 4 digits of it (the SSN), though.

FWIW, I would never give my DVC member number to anyone else. In fact, I'm don't think my DH (co-owner) even knows what it is as I have his DVC card (for safe-keeping, of course, LOL).


P.S. You obviously paid cash for your membership as I know of no organization that would grant a loan without a credit check and a SSN is imperative for that.

 

[PamOKW]

Most financial institutions can get your SS# whether or not you give it to them. The "last 4 numbers" seems to be becoming a common question.

 

[vernon]

With such a large number of non American owners I wonder what they'll do for us "foreigners" I guess I'll find out next time I make a reservation.

 

[eva]

It is probably a part of the new Homeland Security Act. I work for a computer training center and when a student now applies for a student loan (even non-government funded ones) the loan companies are now randomly asking for such things as copies of their driver's license and SS Card. Plus you can no longer get a student loan if you are not a US Citizen. It used to be that if you were not a US Citizen you could have a co-borrower added to the loan that was a US Citizen. Not anymore.