UPS asking for my SSN?

[Mbroady]

Have you ever gotten an email or phone call from UPS requesting your SSN for customs clearance

I've had several guitars come across the Boarder from Canada to NYC and NC and never once was a SSN needed to clear Customs

Need to call UPS but I am not inclined to give out my SSN
Would you?

[CASD57]

Originally Posted by Mbroady

Have you ever gotten an email or phone call from UPS requesting your SSN for customs clearance

I've had several guitars come across the Boarder from Canada to NYC and NC and never once was a SSN needed to clear Customs

Need to call UPS but I am not inclined to give out my SSN
Would you?

Yea I would avoid that..Their other ways to prove who you are,, The SSN is supposed to be for work only
I would verify any Phone# or address that they give you...

[breweryrat]

Don't give anyone you SSN. Its for paying taxes and that's it. 100% chance its a scam call or email.

[pagedr]

Not a scam, depends on a number of factors (most relating to cost of the guitar) but it does happen on certain guitars crossing the border. Read through the thread below.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=602480

[Deliberate1]

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Artic...language=en_US
This may assist.
David

[619TF]

What's the "USP"? UPS or USPS but never heard of USP.

[dwasifar]

Originally Posted by 619TF

What's the "USP"? UPS or USPS but never heard of USP.

It stands for "Unintentional Slip of the Pinky."

[Mbroady]

Originally Posted by 619TF

What's the "USP"? UPS or USPS but never heard of USP.

Originally Posted by dwasifar

It stands for "Unintentional Slip of the Pinky."

UPS it is. Well it was typed on the iPad virtual key board so it was a thump issue.

And now UPS stands for for U P(iece) of Shhhhhhhh

[endpin]

I still have my original Social Security Card which says "Not to be used for identification" on the front - Like "Silver Certificates", I bet the Guber-Ment would like to get those back!

[Stevien]

Had the same deal with PayPal several years ago. I had 4 grand in my PP acct. I tried buying a guitar & I got a message that I could only retrieve $1000 a month unless I gave them my SS#. Thinking my acct was hacked, I called PP the next day & explained the situation. They said yes indeed, they have the right to withhold your cash if you refuse to give them your SS#. I withdrew $1000 a month until my acct was empty, closed it, & never looked back. I've lost many sales because I don't use PayPal. Too bad.
Steve

[The Bard Rocks]

Originally Posted by breweryrat

Don't give anyone you SSN. Its for paying taxes and that's it. 100% chance its a scam call or email.

That's the law - but it's not the way the world works any longer. Many, many vendors and organizations require SSNs in their system. I refuse to give mine out when taxes are not a consideration and have found many (otherwise reputable) entities who simply won't do business with me because of this. In others, like the phone and electric companies, they will deal with me reluctantly as they have other ways of ascertaining who I am.

We are told on one hand to avoid compromising your identity, yet are bombarded with others, honest others, who require it

[Kappy]

Pretty sure I had to give Fedex my SS # when I purchased a bass cabinet from the UK. I had to pay an import duty on it.

[hairpuller]

Not a scam. I had to give up mine to get my CJ35 out of Canada's customs. Called a buddy who works for UPS and he confirmed that it is common practice.

scott

[Guilty Spark]

The alternative - if you're convinced the request is legit - is to provide just the last four digits. I do that sometimes in medical settings when signing into a new provider for whatever reason. If they ask for a SSN, I just put "XXX-XX-1234" (not real number) and haven't had a problem.

[TBman]

If you are buying and selling guitars for a profit consider applying for a tax ID number.