Verizon's insistence on actual photo of physical social security card

[kesstrellar]

This is a new post regarding Verizon's practices about asking for photo of actual 'Social Security Card' for layered verification process when needed.

I was just asked mine for 5G. First they just canceled my order with no contact made. Two weeks later, after receiving my order receipt and waiting for the phonebox to arrive,   I called  and spent 58 mins before they could figure out why, only to be put through the same process of 'checks'  again. This is after I did everything and told the rep I will not be providing image of social security, only my SSN. Which I did several times. The 'fraud rep' casually said 'I will need you to upload your social security card' - no disclaimer, no robotic terms of compliance and safety regulations in place for such personal, private and sensitive to fraud information being transmitted over the interwebs.

Posting this for others who care and need this information in order to decide for themselves. Here is what AI had to say in 2025:

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.

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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.