Why do companies ask for SSN. It make me nervous

I've notice that some companies as for your SSN in the shopper application. Why is this?

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Because income earned from mystery shopping is taxable and they need a SSN or EIN to properly report to the IRS.

Because the IRS requires companies to send any individual they pay over $600 in a year to send a 1099. If the company does not do so and the IRS finds out, they are fined.

Frankly, I would be more worried about a MSC that doesn't ask for an SSN/EIN. Such a firm would strike me as less than professional, an outfit that likely has no business being in business.

Providing one's SSN/EIN is a normal part of doing business. Don't forget that Mystery Shopping is a business.

Anything that involves money will use your social security number to report your earnings to the IRS.

I wouldn't worry about giving out your SS#. Anyone can find out today! Scammers included. That is one of the reasons the SS# is going to be removed (finally) from Social Security and health cards.
My edit: I won't give the SS# unless I know the company and the reason.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/19/2017 08:52PM by shopper8.

@LeslieKay111 wrote:

Anything that involves money will use your social security number to report your earnings to the IRS.

Not anything.... I recall many research studies I partook in where I was paid cash after providing the data they needed. At most, I was just asked for my driver's license number to verify my identity.

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

All companies, not some companies, ask for your SSN

Generally I find that you are not required to fill in your ssn until you are ready to accept a job from them. But make sure you add it if the delay is allowed once you apply for a specific job otherwise you will be sitting wondering why they never assigned anything to you.
Yes Tarandado those focus group studies do not report your income. You are not an independent contractor for them. It is a one time deal generally if you do the type I have done and you have no work contract...You are also required to report that income to the IRS althou I doubt many people do.

@sandyf wrote:

You are also required to report that income to the IRS althou I doubt many people do.

What income

Seriously though...this is what social security numbers were created for; To track income from workers for computing benefits. I don't really understand the hesitance in giving it out to someone you work for.

People seem so concerned about protecting their SSN but Equifax and all of the bank security breaches recently encountered have pretty much guaranteed that most people in America have already had that information collected by others. MSC's are least of my security worries....

The OP is right to be wary of giving out SSN to an unfamiliar company. I would suggest looking up the company here on the forum to see if any other shoppers have had a problem with them. If there is a history of people working with them and getting paid, you can be assured that they are a legitimate company.

I was the same way at first. I had my identity stolen years ago and it was a nightmare getting it sorted out. I get nervous having my information out there. Just make sure that all the companies you sign up with are legit and you should be fine.

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Why do companies ask for SSN. It make me nervous

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