W9's and 1099's... necessary?

[Machiavelli]

Are these necessary to file at the time you sign up with a affiliate program or can it be done when taxes are due? ... One sponsor whose affiliate program I signed up for requires that you fill out the form (don't remember which right now) and to fax it over with a photocopy of my driver's license and social security card ... To tell you the truth I do not feel comfortable sending copies of my DL and SS# card to someone I do not know... but this particular sponso requires it in order to get your monthly check from sales generated by my site.... what do you think or can say from your own experience? ....

[mynameisjim]

Is it a well known sponsor?

I've filed w-9's but never had to send my driver liscense and SS # so I would be nervous about that as well, even though the W-9 has your SS on it unless you have a EIN.

Legally they do not need a copy of your drivers liscense to pay you so this must be for their own records.

[Machiavelli]

well I would say well known though I would also say they are fairly new.. but are getting known...

[porn punk]

I wouldn't be overdoing it on the info unless they can explain why they need it. The company itself doesn't even have to be a fraud. They could just employ one bad person with an idea.

[Machiavelli]

You think I should just email them and ask them if it's absolutely necessary to have photocopies of such things? ...

[porn punk]

Originally posted by Machiavelli
You think I should just email them and ask them if it's absolutely necessary to have photocopies of such things? ...

you could. I just can't see why they need more than the w-9 or whatever that is some of them ask for?

Ask them for some personal info. Company phone number, location, name of proprietor(s), etc. See how they respond to those questions

[Mish]

I suppose it's entirely possible that they are requesting additonal information from their affiliates to protect themselves against any legal woes, particularly with the latest requirements for secondary producers.... but, it would only benefit themselves and their potential affiliates to state the need for additional documentation up front rather than be vague or give no explanation at all....

Just my initial suspicion, but you are right to question... personal information should definitely be handled with care.

Let us know what happens!

[Hammer]

Most sponsors ask for an SS# or EIN# and some expect you to fill out a 1099 when you join, BUT, I would NEVER, under any circumstances sign up with any sponsor that asked for a COPY of a DL or Social Security card.

If they are indeed requiring photo copies, I would like to know who they are, because that incredibly stupid and possibly illegal.

[Hammer]

Sorry, hit the wrong button.

[Cozy Monica]

I would tell them I was uncomfortable sharing that particular document with them, and ask if there is still some way you can promote them. It sounds to me like they are just going overboard as opposed to being up to no good, but you never know.

[Hammer]

Identity theft is a major concern and any sponsor that requires you to provide them with actual copies of your DL and your Social Security card have definitely not talked to an attorney. Whether they are up to no good or not, someone will have access to that information and that could be a dishonest employee or someone that hacks into their system. Either way, once someone has your DL information and SS#, you're fucked if they are thieves.

A sponsor has a right to your name, address and SS# for tax purposes and that's it. They have no right to ask or demand your DL#.

I wouldn't bother asking them if you can promote them but not provide the DL, I would avoid them like a bad habit and warn others to do the same.

[Machiavelli]

This is part of the email they originally sent me... I won't include their name but like I said they seem to be fairly new (didn't hear about them before this year) but are getting to be well known...I haven't emailed them yet to ask them why they need copies of such things yet... and I wanted to double check I read what they said before I posted it here:

If you are a US Resident, please submit the completed W-9 (Request for
Tax Pay Identification Number and Certification). Individuals will also
need to submit a notarized photocopy of their Driver's License and
Social Security Card. You can print the W-9 Form online at
http://www.xxxxxxxx.com/

[Mish]

Yeah, I've been thinking more about this, and would not provide that information for all the reasons Hammer mentioned.......

And if you feel the need, I would email them back and share the feedback from this thread.... they may or may not know what they are doing....

[Machiavelli]

They emailed me back and basically said:

Those are not required. Thank you.


So I guess I'm off the hook in regards to that but would of liked to have known why they had that in the first place. But I guess I'll never know. They should amend that part of their policy so they do not have this problem with current or future affiliates.

[Mish]

Originally posted by Machiavelli
They emailed me back and basically said:

Those are not required. Thank you.


So I guess I'm off the hook in regards to that but would of liked to have known why they had that in the first place. But I guess I'll never know. They should amend that part of their policy so they do not have this problem with current or future affiliates.

SUPER SHADY!

I would probably opt to stay away from that sponsor...

[boodaman]

I agree with others who advise staying away from them. I would never send that sort of info to some "company" on the other end of a fax line that I didn't know.

It can't be required...a corporation or LLC has no driver license but has a EIN (or should), so what would they do in that scenario?

[Machiavelli]

Yah, I didn't send it but then again they backed off about it. For those who want to know which company PM me. I don't want to ruin their reputation by naming them on this forum if it is just a misunderstanding and they are on the up and up. If you PM me and I let you know the company let me know what you know about their reputation.