Affiliate Program asking for SS#

[Porkchop]

I am considering signing up for some affiliate programs.

I see the sites are asking for your social security number when you are signing up. With all the identity theft going on and everybody stressing that you protect ALL personal information especially social security numbers I am afraid of signing up.

I understand that they would need this information to pay you but it still makes me nervous to give it to anybody that I don't know.

Please give your comments, horror stories etc.

Is there a list of affiliate sites that don't ask for the SS"?

Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks!
P.S. Can you get a tax id number if you are just one individual with a dba (no employees)?

[fidibidabah]

Yes, fill out an SS-4. If you search for it on google, you'll get the pdf. Print it, fill it out, sign it, call the number. They'll ask you a few questions and give you an EIN which you can use in place of you SSN. It's completely free and you can have it the same day. You then become a 'sole proprietorship'. The downside of this is constant badgering by the government every quarter, and you need to submit taxes 4 times a year. That's not it, either, that number gives you nothing but problems (imho). I have no fears about using my SSN, and I do just that. In the industry I work in (Retail, Cell phones and Satellite Dishes), I hear 100 SSN's a day.. it doesn't even phase me anymore. Everyone already has it, don't worry about trying to hide it :P

[KenB]

Most affiliate programs require your SSN or Taxpayer ID because they are required to have this information by the IRS. My advice is to get a Taxpayer ID for use with affiliate programs to better protect your SSN. You should be able to get the proper forms from the IRS website or ask your accountant to help you.

[Blue_Fin]

Porkchop, you really don't have any choice. They can't pay you if you don't provide your SS#.