Safe to give SS number?

Question

Would it be dangerous to give someone my social security number, name, birthday, and address? It would be for a credit application but it is not for a certified car dealer, its one of those smaller dealers.

What can someone actually do with taht information?

Answer 1

If you are financing the car, you really don't have a choice.

The dealer does have a license through the state to sell cars, otherwise he would be operating an illegal business. A "certified" dealer, is a marketing tool for advertising...it means nothing in reality.

This information is also needed in order to run your credit.

I would recommend going to a bank for a loan, if you are that uncomfortable or a larger dealership.

Answer 2

What you should do is go to a bank that you trust and take out a loan there for an amount that you feel you can pay off in five years comfortably. Then, look for a car that's at or just above that amount and offer the dealer cash for it- it will make them come down on price a bit! That way there's no need to make your information available to a dealer where an unknown number of people will have the opportunity to steal your identity!

Answer 3

They could apply for a credit card in your name, run up a string of charges and make you responsible for paying the bill: This is the crime of identity theft. They can also open a bank account and then run up a string of bad charges and leave you liable for the charges, but credit card theft is more common.

Most car dealers are reputable, but that's what the certification is there to prove. If your dealer doesn't have a certification it may be best to move on to someone else.

Find out why he needs that information. If he wants to run a credit check on you then you can run the credit check yourself and black out the personal identification data and give a copy to him.

Answer 4

The information you have been asked for is pretty standard for a credit application. It is also all that is necessary for identity theft. If you trust the dealer then you'll have to provide the information if you want credit. If you don't trust him with this information go somewhere else to buy a car.

Answer 5

If it's an actual dealer and you'll be financing the car through them, you need to give your SSN so they can run your credit report. However, if you've got your own financing or are paying cash, question why they need your SSN and exactly how they'll use it. A lot of forms ask for SSNs just because that's the way it's always been done, but they might not actually need it.

Answer 6

Yeah its safe to give to them, if they look really shady then contact the credit bureaus and let them know that you just gave them your information and you want to make sure that they only use your info for the credit checking reasons. Its all good I went through a small dealership that went broke after I bought my car I still make my payments so I can keep my car of course but they never abused my information.

Answer 7

I would be cautious. With that information, they could "become you" and commit Identity Theft. Check them out with the better business bureau to get a little more piece of mind. Also, I would assume you are filling out a form and not just sending this info via email.

It is also good to have ID Theft protection and you can get more information on that here:
http://prepaidlegal.com/idt/thefinamarkgroup

Answer 8

If you want credit you must provide your SS. If you don't trust the dealer, find another one you can trust.

Answer 9

Yes it is dangerous ask them if there is another alternative.However I have given my SSN hundreds of times till now I care less but nothing negative has happened to my identity but I know one day I will run out of luck.