New Owner Info form asks for SSN

[LisaS]

I got my closing docs from Timeshare Closing Services, Inc. and one of the forms that I need to fill out is a "New Owner Set-up Information" form. The form includes this text:

The resort requires that we provide them with identification from you to help protect your account privacy. This information will also be helpful in the event that you choose to participate in any rental programs and an IRS 1099 form needs to be issued.

The info they are requesting is my and my DH's names, daytime and business phone numbers and our social security numbers. I have no problem with the names and phone numbers, but I never provide my social security number unless it is truly necessary.

Does anyone know why they might need our SSNs? For those of you who bought directly from Disney and paid cash, were you asked to provide your SSN? If so, does anybody know why DVC needs it?

I'm wondering if this is a just a generic form used with all types of timeshares and that with some timeshares, renting out your week is done through the property management who then issues you a 1099 for the rental income you received, (thus the need for the SSN). Since that's not the way things work with DVC, I cannot see any reason why they need it.

 

[JimMIA]

I'm wondering if this is a just a generic form used with all types of timeshares and that with some timeshares, renting out your week is done through the property management who then issues you a 1099 for the rental income you received, (thus the need for the SSN). Since that's not the way things work with DVC, I cannot see any reason why they need it.

That's what it sounds like to me, and of course DVC doesn't have a rental program.

 

[lizanne]

I want to preceed this comment by saying I know nothing about the IRS, taxes, and 1099 Forms.

My thought is that maybe the monies received from renting points is going to have to be reported to the IRS for tax purposes.

 

[anniet]

hmmm......could DVC be putting this in place as a first step to crack down on habitual renters????????

Not that I'd mind at all!!!!!!

But some nut might!

 

[rocketriter]

A partial answer: when you call MS to make a reservation, part of how you identify yourself on the phone will be by the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. This is standard practice in the telephone customer service industry nowadays.

Another thought: the Patriot Act requires that many agencies gather a surprising amount of information about people who are making large purchases in order to combat money laundering. Disney might not have any choice in this.

Bottom line: call your guide and explain that you don't want to provide this information. Your guide's explanation one way or another will probably tell you more than our guesses.

 

[LisaS]

A partial answer: when you call MS to make a reservation, part of how you identify yourself on the phone will be by the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

Ah, so MS does use it to identify callers. That's good to know. Although, you would think DVC would just ask you to make up a password or issue you a PIN or something.

Another thought: the Patriot Act requires that many agencies gather a surprising amount of information about people who are making large purchases in order to combat money laundering. Disney might not have any choice in this.

Interesting point. Hadn't even thought about this possibility! Though if that is the case, it would be better for them to state the real reason they are requesting this info.

 

[dis-happy]

Like you, I don't like to provide my ssn. When I filled out the TCS-DVC paperwork, I figured it had to do with taxes...the gov't gets informed whenever transactions over $10,000. take place (this was put into place several years ago in the fight against drug money laundering). Since we were paying cash for our points, I assumed my ssn was necessary. HOWEVER, since then, other people on this board have posted and said they did not give DVC their SSN and it wasn't a problem. If I had it to to do over again, I would go this route---just leave it blank on the paperwork.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Where a business like DVC is concerned, I don't have a problem with giving the SS#. They would get in BIG trouble if anything happened with it. Our Doctor's offices use it too. I would think at the very least, you could give out the last four digits for security reasons. I know that most call in places use that. I also believe that at some point in the not too distant future, we will all have our SS# as permanent identification, and I believe we will be required to have it implanted in the form of a readable chip. We do that with dogs now, and I am quite sure it would be a good way for certain identitiy in humans as well.

 

[JimC]

... I also believe that at some point in the not too distant future, we will all have our SS# as permanent identification, and I believe we will be required to have it implanted in the form of a readable chip. We do that with dogs now, and I am quite sure it would be a good way for certain identitiy in humans as well.

Add in GPS capability and our health insurance carriers can track us and adjust our premiums based on when and where we are! And before everyone starts laughing -- a version of this, but with cars, is being done in UK and testing somewhere in the US. IT tracks where and when and how fast you travel.

 

[bongo59]

if you dont have your DVC card the ask for the last 4 of the SS#............i know because i never have my card when i call.

 

[Muushka]

We paid cash for our DVC, in excess of 10K. We did not provide our SSN.
When we call to make a reservation, they don't even ask for it now (it took about 2 years of 'I do not give out that info').

 

[bongo59]

we paid cash too............but they required it of us............and JimC I love the GPS techy gear.............i just bought a new one just for WDW this weekend..............it is a beaut.

 

[Muushka]

we paid cash too............but they required it of us............and JimC I love the GPS techy gear.............i just bought a new one just for WDW this weekend..............it is a beaut.

Just wondering, did you question why they needed it? They had a place on the paperwork for the information, but we questioned it and they said, well, we don't.

 

[bongo59]

Just wondering, did you question why they needed it? They had a place on the paperwork for the information, but we questioned it and they said, well, we don't.

it was in 91 .............and they never asked for it again because i think they already had it..............from our first contract...........

 

[LisaS]

Thank you all for your responses. I think I will just leave it blank and see what happens.

It's terrible to have to be so paranoid about this stuff, but I just watched a program about identify theft and it really had an impact on me. One victim featured on the show is a doctor and her identity was stolen by a nurse who worked in the same hospital and got hold of the doctor's SSN and used it to apply for about 20 credit cards. The nurse was caught and convicted but this doctor is still getting calls from collection agencies years later and still working to clean up her credit record.

It's not that I don't trust DVC or TCS but it only takes one dishonest person working in an otherwise reputable company to pull off the theft of someone elses identity, or one distracted person to toss that piece of paper with my SSN on it into the trash rather than running it through a shredder.

If I hear from DVC that they really do need it, I'll report back to let everyone know what they have to say.

 

[Muushka]

Someone stole my SSN (probably at work-it is on the timesheets and I neglected to black it out, maybe cleaning crew stole it). They opened up a phone account with AT&T. It was only $250 or so. But I was very fortunate. Lesson learned. I pretty much refuse to give it out now unless someone can give me a really good reason why they need it (and not because they don't want to be bothered creating a unique ID for me).

Yes, please let us know what they say, and good luck!

 

[T.E. Yeary]

I know exactly how you feel!

I've been an identity theft victim, not by SS# but by my credit card #. The bill came in with a large charge for parts for a Honda. Since I've never owned a Honda, RED FLAG!!! The parts were ordered over the phone and sent to an apartment complex in Orlando. I relayed this information to my credit card company and asked if they were going to prosecute this individual. Their reply was, "It's not worth the time or expense". My reply was, "Then cancel my credit card, I will not do business with you if you won't do your part to help stop this problem"!

I too, am completely paranoid about giving out info that should only be given on a "need to know" basis. Unfortunately, it is sometimes easier just to give it out, rather than "fight the system".

How many people have to be victimized before these institutions, government and private, quit requesting information that is handled by, we can only guess, how many people, providing them with the key to "your" vault!!!


Tom

 

[Paul in CT]

I had similar experience when my credit card number was stolen and used to buy a lap top computer. I managed to get the address to where the computer was delivered and called the CC company to give it to them to prosecute. They did not care because they had already gotten the money back from the company that had sold the computer to the thief after I called them to report the fraudulent use and close the account.

 

[Miffy2003]

This is interesting - especially to me as we don't have SSNs in the UK so even if I wanted to give them mine I couldn't? I'm sure this applies to most of the overseas DVC owners as well.

 

[nono]

I too, am completely paranoid about giving out info that should only be given on a "need to know" basis. Unfortunately, it is sometimes easier just to give it out, rather than "fight the system".

How many people have to be victimized before these institutions, government and private, quit requesting information that is handled by, we can only guess, how many people, providing them with the key to "your" vault!!!


Tom

I think the more that people question these things (even if in the end they hand the number over instead of "fighting the system"), the more likely it is to change. I'm in the habit now of not providing that information on forms, and only once in the last year has anyone insisted it was necessary. Then, miraculously, it wasn't necessary after I asked, "Have you run a criminal background check on each employee here that will have access to this form after I complete it?" It is so frustrating when people who will be handling this type of sensitive information are completely unaware of the exposure they are forcing onto their customers.