posted on July 23, 2001 11:27:55 PM new
Damon, there's a couple of questions that have been asked about the merchant rate that you have not yet answered. Maybe this will make it easier for you to find them and hopefully provide answers.
#1: Will everyone have to provide SSNs, or is it just the sellers who don't automatically qualify for merchant rates?
#2: Is PayPal doing credit checks on ANY sellers who apply for or who automatically qualified for the merchant rate?
#3: Is wanting to run credit checks one of the reasons you have required SSNs? Are you willing to publicly state that PayPal is not running credit checks on members?
#4: (this question has been asked at least twice with no answer) mrpotatohead asked,
"From the FAQs on the Social Security Administration's website:
If a business or other enterprise asks you for your SSN, you can refuse to give it. For example, utility companies and other services ask for a Social Security number, but do not need it; they can do a credit check or identify the person in their records by alternative means. Giving your number is voluntary, even when you are asked for the number directly. If requested, you should ask why your number is needed, how your number will be used, what law requires you to give your number and what the consequences are if you refuse.
So... as the Social Security Administration recommends, here are a few questions:
1) Why does PayPal require a SSN?
2) If a SSN is provided, how will it be used by PayPal?
3) What law requires PayPal to collect a user's SSN?
4) What happens if a user refuses to provide their SSN? "
Damon, I am not trying to be argumentative. But I take my business dealings seriously especially where $$ is concerned, and where my privacy is concerned. I have been more than willing to give PayPal enough information to know who they are dealing with, but giving out my SSN is a whole new level and I can't see doing it unless PayPal has a legitimate reason for wanting it. So far, I have not heard one.
posted on July 24, 2001 10:47:10 AM newargh I have been involved in an lengthy exchange with paypal email support recently on this very topic.
I have presented numerous counterexamples of people who got a merchant rate with NO SSN provided. I have tried being polite, ugly, and in between. I have attempted to get booted to a supervisor. Their answer to this question is, in a nutshell: we ask for SSN because it is our policy to do so. If you don't like it, tough!
And of course, I have asked this matter numerous times in numerous threads, both on this board and on the eBay board, and paypaldamon chooses not to respond.
[ubb]
[ edited by wbbell on Jul 24, 2001 10:47 AM ]
posted on July 24, 2001 01:59:48 PM new
wwbell: Yeah, I have seen these questions about the SSN asked repeatedly around the PayPal board and not get answered. Whole threads have been started with no response from PayPal.
I dunno, is the answer to keep posting the questions over and over until they do answer? Normally I only post PayPal questions on this board, but it's tempting to post on the eBay Outlook just to have it seen by more people and to keep the pressure on to have our questions answered.
posted on July 24, 2001 05:06:17 PM new
1) Why does PayPal require a SSN?
If, as noted in question #2 below, very few applications actually generate a credit report request, that would lead one to wonder if there might be another reason.
2) If a SSN is provided, how will it be used by PayPal?
The SSN can be used for pulling a credit report, but my understanding is very few applications actually generate a credit report request.
3) What law requires PayPal to collect a user's SSN?
No answer for this question yet.
4) What happens if a user refuses to provide their SSN?
If a user refuses to submit it, then they won't be able to apply for the merchant rate.
Answers to two questions, with partial credit for a third.
posted on July 24, 2001 05:13:24 PM new
Well, ppd, I'm pleased to see you jump into one of these threads. I appreciate your participation although I am sure I don't need to tell you that you have still not answered any of our real questions.
Can you please provide any justification for why paypal insists upon having my SSN given all of the following:
- You are not a bank
- You are not offering any bank service such as a merchant account
- You already have a CC on file for me
- You already have a bank acct on file for me
- I am "verified" and "confirmed"
- I meet your volume requirement
- I meet your feedback requirement
- I have a billpoint merchant rate
- Billpoint has never asked me for my SSN
Saying you want it, just because you want it, is no good reason. Even the biggest boys can admit they made a bad policy. For instance, eBay's recent admission that RICO email wasn't such a good thing and providing an opt-out.
[reword]
[ edited by wbbell on Jul 24, 2001 05:17 PM ]
