valid social security number is required for tank from Miracles Aquarium?

[ifarmer]

this is what they said after I asked them why do we need to provide the ss#.

"After 911, the US is extremely strict on importing goods, it is a requirement of your government.". "Just give us a call over the phone for security reasons"

 

[MatthewScars]

this is what they said after I asked them why do we need to provide the ss#.

"After 911, the US is extremely strict on importing goods, it is a requirement of your government.". "Just give us a call over the phone for security reasons"

Have you read anything in the previous 15 replies?

We have already established its because its international shipping.

Its a 120g from England, just tell them to refund you or do a charge back if they want to be ****s about it. The best deal you can find is a tank that needs to be shipped from England? ha.

I dont care if it is a legit reason, dont give your SSN to ANYONE.

 

[beerfish]

If you're freaking out over this, don't order from overseas. This is completely legit, and is required for shipping. Feel free to read section E on the following link. You'll find the same info on every shipping site. This is a customs requirement and has nothing to do with the company, but it must be included on the shipping documentation or your shipment will not arrive. Uncle Sam wants his cut.

http://www.fedex.com/us/government/international/terms.html#customs

 

[finksmart]

I dealt with Derek at Miracles and was on the phone with him on numerous times when I had my tank built. He's a standup guy and the company does great work. My tank arrived without a hitch and the process was smooth.

Having said that, I don't remember having to provide my SS# to have my tank shipped from Canada. But a little research on the web goes a long way:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...er-/-tax-identification-number-/-irs-number-/ (the link is a .gov link so I think its information can be deemed reliable)

Upon briefly skimming the article (don't hold me to it read it carefully yourself), it looks like goods valued at over $2500 (among other criteria), require SSN because they need to be formally cleared by Custom. And the last paragraph mentions that most carriers do not accept packages w/o an importer's ID (your SSN/EIN). This is because they file their entries with Custom electronically, and the software requires the importer's ID (your SSN/EIN), and to file a paper entry is extremely time-consuming.

Again read for yourself there is a lot of info in that link. My tank was less than $2500 and that is probably why it did not require my SSN. Is your tank over $2500? And I do remember it took a month to ship which is the only thing I had to complain about ordering from Miracles. But if it's due to the paperwork then it all makes sense.

 

[marrone]

Upon briefly skimming the article (don't hold me to it read it carefully yourself), it looks like goods valued at over $2500 (among other criteria), require SSN because they need to be formally cleared by Custom. And the last paragraph mentions that most carriers do not accept packages w/o an importer's ID (your SSN/EIN). This is because they file their entries with Custom electronically, and the software requires the importer's ID (your SSN/EIN), and to file a paper entry is extremely time-consuming.

The dollar amount, which I posted in my first post, is the trigger. If you're involved with international and overseas shipping giving out your SS# or company EIN would be common place, as the amounts would most likely by above the threshold. I would also bet that certain types of good, regardless of the dollar value, would also fall under this too. Anyone that have had items shipped from overseas, and haven't been asked for their SS# or company EIN, probably had items shipped that were under the threshold, so this was never an issue.

By the way, if you're worried about giving out your SS#, and having someone use it to destroy your credit, you can call up the credit rating agencies and place a warning note in your file that someone has your information and maybe attempting to use it. That way you're protected from fraud.

 

[ifarmer]

No, the tank cost less than $1300. and 50% was already paid.

thanks

The dollar amount, which I posted in my first post, is the trigger. If you're involved with international and overseas shipping giving out your SS# or company EIN would be common place, as the amounts would most likely by above the threshold. I would also bet that certain types of good, regardless of the dollar value, would also fall under this too. Anyone that have had items shipped from overseas, and haven't been asked for their SS# or company EIN, probably had items shipped that were under the threshold, so this was never an issue.

 

[beerfish]

No, the tank cost less than $1300. and 50% was already paid.

thanks

Tell them to ship it without the number, then if it gets stuck in customs, you can deal directly with them for the next six months while you try to locate your tank.

I used to fly for a living. If customs agents see that everything is filled out they way they expect it, you'll have no problem. If they see something missing (even if it doesn't need to be there), it raises a flag. If they are having a good day, maybe they let it slide. If not, you're tied up in paperwork for six months.

I would much rather trust a reputable company with my SSN than trust customs to let it through without a problem.

 

[reefer4eva]

Unless there's 2 immigrants in the tank to help you set it up i wouldn't give out my SS#...

 

[albano]

England ? Does anyone really read all the posts?

Did you ever finance or lease a car? ...The $10 an hour filing clerk at the dealership has access to your name, address and SS # on file ... for years! What about the cell phone store, your gym, the hospital, the A&P and any store that you have that little 'bar code' hanging on your key ring. Do they have your SS#?

 

[edd]

if you go to the emergency room or a doctors office they require ss# and birth date, and we give them both. do you think every person who works their is back ground cleared, i don't think so. so any employee can walk by the desk and get your info both ss# and birth date, with both you can steal id. their only asking for ss over the phone. if you want your tank i would give ss# and stop worrying. imo

 

[ifarmer]

thank you everyone for the great comments/suggestion.

thanks again
farmer

 

[thirty6]

Heres the thing and this will piss many off: if someone wants your info or to use your name to obtain goods, services, ect... They will regardless of who you give info to or not or how much you think your being safe. These people work all day at scamming others the same way you and i go to work everyday. Unfortunately many of these hackers do work from overseas making investigations nearly impossible. I dont discourage taking precautions like many posts here have suggested but be realistic while your at it

 

[MikeC]

Heres the thing and this will piss many off: if someone wants your info or to use your name to obtain goods, services, ect... They will regardless of who you give info to or not or how much you think your being safe. These people work all day at scamming others the same way you and i go to work everyday. Unfortunately many of these hackers do work from overseas making investigations nearly impossible. I dont discourage taking precautions like many posts here have suggested but be realistic while your at it

+1
Well said:smokin:

 

[Koolaidreef]

Bro won't give ur social security number. If it was me that ordered the tank me and that guy would have a long talk discussing a refund ASAP or there would
be issues. Not worth the risk

 

[jcs11236]

Like stated earlier, you can place a fraud alert on the 3 credit agencies. If anyone tries to open an account they have to take extra steps to open accts

 

[JonnyJ]

Some of these comments are ridiculous. Giving your social security number out to a well known company is not the end of the world. Monitor your credit as everyone should, and problems are virtually non existent.

 

[lnevo]

Some of these comments are ridiculous. Giving your social security number out to a well known company is not the end of the world. Monitor your credit as everyone should, and problems are virtually non existent.

+1

As other's have said, you give your social to doctors, financial institutions, etc. Any employee at any of these business could just as easily be careless and leave your number out for the janitor to find, etc. You know your order is going through customs and you can see now that the gov't needs it to get their share. Just go ahead and monitor your credit as usual. I doubt you'll have any issues, but even if you did, doesn't mean it is due to this... hackers don't need your social to steal your cc number and ring stuff up.