Do you usually provide your SSN?

is this typical with affiliate signup?

[too much information]

I have found a great site that would fit my content perfectly and they have an affiliate program which seems to be run by a third party.

The thing that bothers me is that the form is not secure, and they ask for an SSN, name, address, phone # etc.

How do I tell if the site really has an affiliate program and if the affiliate program is legit? Do all programs ask for an SSN when you sign up?

(This will be my first affiliate experience, so I'm a little warry)

[Marcia]

If it isn't secure it doesn't sound good. I don't like giving the SS# at all, not on the application form, anyway. Personally I think it should only be necessary when there's a first payment due, and then it should be mailed in on a regular tax type forum. It may be a little extra work, but it would only be for people who actually promote and make sales and meets Federal requirements as well. Or at least later on, not in the first application as a required field.

I believe there's a security risk by giving out the SS# indiscriminately - especially in cases where the applicant will also be making purchases using their credit card number.

[rogerd]

Appropriate nickname for this question, TMI. :) If you get going in this program, you'll have to submit your SS# so they can legally pay you. With the apparent lack of security, I'd suggest delaying until they are ready to pay; or, deliver it by some more secure means. Give it to them only if you think the company itself is trustworthy.

One solution for this is to create a corporation - then you'll provide its EIN instead of your SSN. There are other advantagesto incorporating, but the process will cost some money and you'll have some additional filing requirements.

[Jane_Doe]

> Do all programs ask for an SSN when you sign up?

Usually, except for Adsense.

I've noticed that many of the smaller affiliate networks don't have secure forms for their applications.

Just email them separately and point out that their form isn't secure, and let them know you'll provide it at a later date via a more secure method, if and when, you ever make over $600 with their program.

[Marcia]

With some of them the application form can't be submitted if that field isn't filled in, there will be a message to go back and fill it in.

[EliteWeb]

SSN's should be kept very private. Do not supply it, in many cases it is not needed until you make a certain amount of dollars. Keep your SSN private :D and non-ssl is not very private when im sniffing your line :P

[too much information]

Well I went back and checked the form again and turns out the SSN field is optional. I'm sure I will have to provide it in the future, but I would rather do that through the mail or a fax.

I was also looking at other programs. They also needed an SSN but were a little better at handling it.

Thanks for the help everyone.

[akogo]

I just put in a FAKE ssn (fake name & alternative email address, etc). Then edit it later when I've been setup and satisfied with their banner ads, text ads, product links, or whatever drew me to their program.