SSN required when buying a new car -- without financing

[Alberto]

Today I bought a car for my son (a new VW Golf) - his first car.

We got a great price (2010 model vs 2011) I told them I'd pay cash (OK, check). All was going well until, when starting the paperwork, I refused to give them my Social Security Number. I already filled in all sorts of documents with my address, etc., and they also had my driver's license. With my SSN, they have a ready-made identity theft kit.

I could understand demanding the SSN if I was financing the car, but I was paying cash - and I even volunteered to go with them to the bank (it was just across the street) to get a certified check, or wait until the check cleared. No dice. They said something about homeland security policy for any transaction over $10K.

If my son wasn't there looking at me with puppy eyes I would have probably walked out, but he's a great boy and he's been doing research and dreaming about this car (his first) for months - if not years. And it would have been cruel to pull out just as he was practically smelling that new car smell in our garage.

What do you guys think? Have you had to give your SSN when paying cash for a car? Have you manage to refuse giving the SSN out and still got the car?

Am I overly paranoid? I wasn't like that until we were victim of an attempted identify theft a couple of years ago.

How are your protecting yourself from ID theft?

Alberto

P.S. I should have probably posted this on a car forum, but it's an excuse to chat with some of my friends.

[Masterlu]

Unfortunately, it cannot be gotten around.

[PHC1]

That's strange... I bought two cars this year and have not been asked for SSN.

[gtubes]

Don't think we need our SIN in Canada, I'll ask tomorrow, I work at a VW store...

EDIT, I have e-mailed our sales manager, will know shortly..

[PHC1]

A new car dealer told me he needs my social security number and to run a credit check on me even though I was paying cash because of the Patriot Act. Is this true? | Answerbag

[ehoove]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Unfortunately, it cannot be gotten around.

Actually it can, if you pay by certified funds, cash etc. They can check your name against the SDN (Specially Designated Nationals List) on the Us Treasury Dept Website under OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control). Most Dealers use a credit bureau to pull the OFAC check, but it can be done manually. However if you are giving the dealer a personal check, it is not outrageous for them to know who they are taking a check from . IMHO
Regards,
Jim

[PHC1]

CarBuyingTips.com - Annual Top 10 Car Dealer Scams Alert List

[ehoove]

Originally Posted by PHC1

A new car dealer told me he needs my social security number and to run a credit check on me even though I was paying cash because of the Patriot Act. Is this true? | Answerbag

While it is not required, the dealer is held accountable to a substantial fine if he sells to someone on the US Treasury SDN list. Therefore it is considered due diligence to check the list, which most dealers do using their credit bureau service. Doing it manually does not require a Soc sec number. We offer the option to any customer. Any cash transaction over $10,000 does need to be reported to the IRS though.
Regards,
Jim

[ehoove]

Originally Posted by PHC1

CarBuyingTips.com - Annual Top 10 Car Dealer Scams Alert List

It is a shame that some dealers are taking shortcuts or are uninformed on these issues, It gives us all a bad name.
Regards,
Jim

[gtubes]

Originally Posted by mc602

Don't think we need our SIN in Canada, I'll ask tomorrow, I work at a VW store...

EDIT, I have e-mailed our sales manager, will know shortly..

Reply, as per sales manager,

Greg,

In Canada we cannot force anybody to give their SIN…..

Cheers,