I'm thinking of no longer collecting them. The only thing I've used them for is to verify identity, but there's alternative means of doing that. --172.58.xxx.xxx

Yes, for running a credit report and for recording judgments that would end up on a credit report. --173.20.xxx.xxx

I need a social security number in order to file an income execution with the sheriff in my state --72.231.xxx.xxx

Garnishments --166.137.xxx.xx

I screen on criminal. So SSN + DOB helps me identify Applicant's criminal history, if any, as their own. --166.137.xxx.xx

Thank you. --68.129.xxx.xx

When I called to verify employment of a former tenant for a wage garnishment, the ONLY information the company wanted was the SS#. So yes, I wouild say you need to get that information. --174.209.xx.xxx

oK. I've used them for credit reports also, but with these new services, the tenant authorize the release of the credit files themselves, so I don't need them to run credit. I've not done a wage garnishment at this point and that would be a reason to continue collecting. --209.122.xx.xxx

You also need the SSN if you want to place a delinquent Tenant account for colletions. In my opinion the more data points the better for prospects and Tenants. --67.165.xx.xx

Come on GKARL, don't take tenant provided credit reports. --50.32.xxx.xx

NE, the tenants don't provide them per se. These services are common where you send the tenant a link where they verify themselves and they authorize the release a credit report directly to you. I control it. It's not like they're grabbing a report and giving it to me. There are several LL services that provide credit and criminal background info like this hence my question. --209.122.xx.xxx

BRAD --68.50.xxx.xxx

This is the reality of the world today, there is more than 2 John Smith living in your county today, garnish wages from one of the 3rd party credit check companies and what you get is a larger type size zero. --76.188.xxx.xx

This is a silly question. $300,000 property turned over to a total stranger and you dont want to get their SSN? Really? --74.104.xxx.xxx

If you're not storing completed applications on a PC where it can be hacked the chance the chance of someone stealing tenant SS#s that you are storing is negligible. Unless you have guests or people living in your own home that want to do an identity theft. --72.188.xxx.xxx

We bought a MHP and inherited 30+_ tenants in one fell swoop. Our mistake was not having all the tenants fill out our applications when we took over. So far, we have had two evictions, and they walked away. Won't ever be able to collect on them ore report them to the Credit Bureaus. Lesson learned. If we ever buy another multi family property, the first thing we will do is have everyone fill out an application. --75.103.xxx.xx

Also valuable if you wish to sort out the undocumented aliens. --174.216.xx.xx

I had one applicant that asked what could they do to rent the apartment without providing a Social Security Number. I said it was simple. If you provide proof of funds, like $100,000 in a long term bank account and pay six months up front rent, plus a 2 months security deposit, they I can proceed without a SS#. The applicant showed me a trust account with over 700K and gave me 1 years rent up front. They lasted 4 years there until they got hitched and purchased a condo nearby. --47.156.xx.xx

Govt agencies use SSN as ID to differentiate between persons and load info on them (drivers license,court systems etc). If you want the info--you need the#. VERY important when checking info on an applicant name Juan Martinez, Garcia, Gomez, Ramirez, etc. Wanna know how many multiples of those names there are? Thousands! Some in every generation of a family. ONCE, 2 cousins had the same name--born in the same year--similar relatives--only the SSN was dif! Yes--you need the SSN. --108.87.xx.xxx