Proof of SSN (Social Security Number) Required? WHY?!!

[ShotokanPatty]

Hi everyone! I have trouble with my account.

When I logged into my PayPal account, it asks me to provide proof of my SSN. Why is it asking to do this?

As I recall, when I signed up for PayPal, it never asked my to provide my Social Security Number at all, as well as when I added funds from my bank account.

Here is the notice I've received everytime I log into my PayPal account:

"PayPal is constantly working to ensure security by regularly screening the accounts in our system. We recently reviewed your account, and we need more information to help us provide you with secure service. We would like to return your account to regular standing as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

.......................................................................................................................................

• Jun 23, 2012: We need some personal information about you or your PayPal account.

(Your case ID for this reason is PP-001-840-178-614.)

........................................................................................................................................

How can I return my account to regular standing?

It's usually pretty easy to take care of things like this. Most of the time, we just need a little more information about your account or latest transactions.

To help us resolve this issue, please go to the Resolution Center.

We'll review the information you provide and email you if we need more details.

Once you complete all of the checklist items, your case will be reviewed by one of our Account Specialists. We will send you an email with the outcome of the review."

[ShotokanPatty]

Hi everyone! I have trouble with my account.

When I logged into my PayPal account, it asks me to provide proof of my SSN. Why is it asking to do this?

As I recall, when I signed up for PayPal, it never asked my to provide my Social Security Number at all, as well as when I added funds from my bank account.

Here is the notice I've received everytime I log into my PayPal account:

"PayPal is constantly working to ensure security by regularly screening the accounts in our system. We recently reviewed your account, and we need more information to help us provide you with secure service. We would like to return your account to regular standing as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

.......................................................................................................................................

• Jun 23, 2012: We need some personal information about you or your PayPal account.

(Your case ID for this reason is PP-001-840-178-614.)

........................................................................................................................................

How can I return my account to regular standing?

It's usually pretty easy to take care of things like this. Most of the time, we just need a little more information about your account or latest transactions.

To help us resolve this issue, please go to the Resolution Center.

We'll review the information you provide and email you if we need more details.

Once you complete all of the checklist items, your case will be reviewed by one of our Account Specialists. We will send you an email with the outcome of the review."

[ShotokanPatty]

Can somebody please give me a reason or answer why PayPal is asking me to provide proof of my Social Security Number?!

Why does PayPal wait until now to ask me to provide my Social Security Number when it could've just asked me when I was signing up?

[bradkculp]

Would also love an answer to this..

[BulMastifMema]

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@bradkculp wrote:

Would also love an answer to this..

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I was also asked for my SS # several months after joining paypal. It really doesn't make any sense. I don't know of any other online businesses that ask for it. I also notice that this question still hasn't been answered by paypal. Or, if they did, I missed the answer. I think it's bad policy, could cause so many potential problems with identity theft. Is paypal going to help us out with that, too? People were very reluctant to sign up for social security when the program began, so the government made all these promises that this number would stay completely private and used only as an id for the new government retirement program. That was before I was born and a part of FDR's new deal. That obviously was a ploy since we SS#'s are used as identifiers for everything now. I truly would love to know why paypal needs anyone's ss number - their foreign sellers and buyers aren't required to supply one. Why won't paypal explain this?