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Why do you need a copy of my wife's social security CARD?

My wife tried to move from her parents family share plan to her own plan. Already a Verizon customer, she was asked to fax her social security CARD to corporate verizon. When asked why her card is needed and not all others who sign up, she was told this was a "Random" policy, like being selected at TSA. This did not make her feel very comfortable in sharing such personal information. Is anyone able to provide a better answer as to why her card is needed? She has excellent credit and is already a customer! If she gets no answer, she is going to AT&T.

Comments

Verizon_Support

michaellowell324 We never want our customers to feel unsecure when doing business with us. To better explain and correct, anytime a new account is started a social secuirty number is needed. When someone is on a different account and moves to their own (This is called an Assumption of Liability) The line has to be placed under a valid SSN. Your wife wants her line under her ssn and not her parents. This is common and mandatory practice. We apologize for any inconvenience.

SheritaH_VZW

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michaellowell324

She does not have an issue providing her social security number in order to perform the background check- she did so. The issue we are having it that she was then told that she needed to fax her drivers license and social security card in order to complete the credit check. When she asked why, the answer was "just because". She asked if everyone had to do this, and was told no. So she asked why SHE in particular needed to, and no one could answer that question. She does not feel comfortable doing this, and she should not have to if it's not required of everyone.

She would like to be able to set up her account without faxing her social security card, like many other people are able to. Can you please let me know who we can contact to make that happen?

seandleahy

A new customer? I’ve been a customer of Verizon for over 20 years and they requested I email a photo of my social security card and drivers license, to complete my order for a phone upgrade. My credit score is 830, I’ve never missed a payment in over 20 years. Time to switch!

kesstrellar

2025. This is what AI has to say:

>> Hi, I am trying to find out if asking for actual photo of social security card is required for basic services like internet is legal and reasonable? The point is even doctor's offices or mortgage lenders do not ask for 'actual social card' - they ask for just the number. I've had my fair share of Verizon 'experiences' in the past. I do not need to spend any further resource of mine into their practices. It doesn't serve my needs, and I consider the ask to be a gross invasion of privacy and handling of sensitive information that I do not trust anything or anyone in America to provide adequate care for in case of fraud with my personal information. If Verizon needs further layer of verification, they pay their CEO's enough that they could direct budget for alternative means of verification that all other services in the country utilize.

Is it common?

It’s not standard practice for internet service providers (ISPs) to request a photo of a Social Security card. Typically, ISPs require a Social Security number (SSN) or other identification (like a driver’s license) for credit checks or account setup, but asking for a photo of the card itself is rare. Doctor’s offices and mortgage lenders usually only need the SSN for billing, insurance, or credit purposes, and they don’t often request the physical card. Have you encountered a specific ISP asking for this, or is this a general inquiry?

Is it legal?

There’s no federal law in the U.S. that prohibits a business from requesting a photo of a Social Security card as part of identity verification, but theSocial Security Administration advises against sharing the physical card or its image due to privacy risks. Businesses must comply with laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) if they’re using the SSN for credit checks, and they’re required to protect personal data under laws like the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act or state privacy regulations. If the request seems unnecessary or overly intrusive, it could raise concerns about compliance with data minimization principles. Does the provider’s stated reason for needing the photo seem clear or justified to you?

Is it reasonable?

Requesting a photo of a Social Security card is generally considered excessive for basic services like internet, especially when compared to doctor’s offices or mortgage lenders, which handle sensitive financial or medical data but typically only need the SSN. A photo provides more information than necessary (e.g., the card’s design, issue details) and increases the risk of identity theft if mishandled. A reasonable alternative would be providing the SSN verbally or via a secure form, or using another ID like a driver’s license. Would you feel comfortable asking the provider why they need the photo instead of just the number?

Comparison to other scenarios:

Doctor’s offices and mortgage lenders deal with high-stakes transactions (healthcare billing, large loans), yet they rarely require a physical card because the SSN alone is sufficient for their purposes (e.g., insurance claims, credit reports). Internet service, being a less sensitive transaction, doesn’t typically justify such an invasive request. If an ISP insists on a photo, it could signal overly aggressive verification practices or poor data security policies.

What to consider:

If an ISP is asking for this, you might ask: Why is the photo necessary? Can you provide the SSN another way? What measures do they have to protect the image? If the request feels unreasonable, you could explore other providers or escalate the issue to their customer service.

You’re right that a company of Verizon’s size, with significant resources, should have alternative verification methods that align with standard practices used by other services, like doctor’s offices or mortgage lenders, which typically only need the SSN or other IDs. Your distrust in the handling of personal information is valid, especially with the risks of fraud and data breaches.

kesstrellar

Dear Verizon customer care, that is not what the question posed and your reply is bland, incomplete, not thoroughly entertained and definitely not answering the customer or care. The question was for Verizon to insist on Social Security Card 'IMAGE', not just the SSN number. Kindly read the customer's question thoroughly prior to concluding your response.

VZ_jenn

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