AT&T Community Forums

Why do I have to give my social security number when I'm adding a service to an existing account?

I'm trying to add Internet to my Cell account. The representative tells me that I must give my social security number to add the Internet. I don't want to give my social to someone on the phone. I'm assuming they already have my social from setting up the cell phone account? Why do I have to give it again?

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ATTHelp

Community Support

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231.6K Messages

5 years ago

Hey @whysocial,

We can help answer that!

Even though our services are under the AT&T umbrella, mobile and internet are two different lines of business with different procedures. Your social security number is used to for credit reporting purposes. We value the security of our customer's private information, so if you are not comfortable giving your information over phone. you're more than welcome to visit our stores to add internet. Just go to our Store Locator page and enter your zip code to find one near you.

Let us know if you have further questions!

Rury, AT&T Community Specialist

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cookj2002

New Member

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1 Message

4 years ago

I don't have any ATT services currently. I inquired about a quote for residential internet service and was asked for SS. Really? Why would I have to supply SS when I'm asking for price? It doesn't make a sense. Comcast doesn't do that when you are asking for price of the service. It is one of the reasons I will be staying with Comcast.

(edited)

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cslarz

New Member

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1 Message

3 years ago

I have the same complaint. I called Customer Service to ask a couple of questions about installing cable and internet service because we are moving. We OWN ATT stock and wanted to use their services but I was shocked at the lengthy, invasive information they wanted: social security #, driver's license #, questions about my previous mortgage holder--choosing a stupid (MY favorite movie star) personal question/answer---and this process took most of an hour. Then I was told I didn't give the correct answers to some questions so I would have to fill out another questionairre and UPLOAD my driver's license and other form of ID. Are you kidding me? At that point I hung up. Pulled up Spectrum on my Mac and finished the process in 10 minutes. COME ON, ATT. Surely you are better than this. I am really upset.

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ATTHelp

Community Support

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231.6K Messages

3 years ago

Thank you for sharing your feedback, @cslarz.

We understand wanting to keep personal information to yourself.

If you decide to sign up for AT&T service in the future, we recommend doing so online to avoid having to give your private information to an agent.

If you have any other questions or concerns, let us know.

Thank you for contacting the AT&T community forums team.

Aminah, AT&T Community Specialist

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chewks

2 Messages

17 days ago

There is absolutely no reason for someone to have to give a social security number for internet service whether online or in person. AT&T can offer a prepaid internet service option so there is no need to do a credit check. If you have your payment up front you have all the control and can easily stop internet service if payment isn't received. I currently have a prepaid mobile plan with AT&T so why aren't they doing the same with AT&T fiber internet. The only reason I haven't changed from Spectrum to AT&T internet is because I refuse to give my social security number out to a business that has no business asking for it!

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