This is a general question that I think would pertain to any kind of writing . . . be it freelance for magazines or writing books. I was just asked by a publisher of a magazine to forward my social security number along with my query. In fact this is printed in their submission guidelines. I have been the victim of fraud in the past and am very reluctant to give out my social security number. Is this standard procedure? To request your social security number at this very early stage of the process? If someone with experience could shed some light on this, I would be most appreciative. Thanks.
request for social security number????
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I can't say whether that's standard or not, but I don't give out my SSN to just anyone. Especially not early in the game. (This goes for regular jobs too. Most applications ask for SSN along with date of birth and whatnot. I always write in "Available upon interview".)
I would tell any company wanting an SSN with a query that that information is only available when an offer has been made and a contract signed. (Because, really and truly, they don't need it until payment is being made.) But that's just me.
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Hmm. A magazine publisher needed my SSN for W-9 forms. It's pretty standard for freelancers (I'm an artist, not a writer, but it works about the same).
But they didn't request it until we had an agreement that I'd do work for them.
This may be someone at the magazine's attempt to reduce paperwork, maybe, by ensuring they have any potential author's information well ahead of time, but it doesn't seem a good idea.
But they didn't request it until we had an agreement that I'd do work for them.
This may be someone at the magazine's attempt to reduce paperwork, maybe, by ensuring they have any potential author's information well ahead of time, but it doesn't seem a good idea.
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As an IT Security Analyst, I have to STRONGLY advise never to give out SSN's in a non-financial context.
You're right to be concerned. If they haven't sent you an agreement/contract do not give it out. It's terribly insecure. I'd also say email is a terrible way to send it.
You're right to be concerned. If they haven't sent you an agreement/contract do not give it out. It's terribly insecure. I'd also say email is a terrible way to send it.
I recall that in some sub guidelines I came across in the '90s, the publisher asked for an SSN on the manuscript. I did not provide one and they were perfectly content to reject my work on its own merits, not the provision of personal data.
Requesting an SSN in a query strikes me as frankly pushy.
Requesting an SSN in a query strikes me as frankly pushy.
If they accept your work, and pay you more than $600 in a year, they need your SSN to file a 1099-MISC so the payment can be properly attached to your income.
Most of the time, they ask for this number (in the form of a W-9) when a contract is signed. Asking for it so soon in the process is a little fishy, not because the publisher might steal it, but because it might be left around on loose sheets of paper or in some unsecured computer. The more places you leave your number, the more likely it is to be hacked again.
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This.
A few years ago, a certain magazine's guidelines requested the writer send in his/her social security number with the manuscript. I didn't, in case they rejected me. They accepted the work, sent the contract, and someone called me for my social sec.number so they could pay me.
I really don't worry about it. Nothing is easier to obtain than someone else's SS number. A social security number hasn't been considered proper ID for a long time, precisely because it is so easy to obtain.
It's pretty easy to tell whether you're dealing with a legitimate magazine. If you are, you'll have to give it to them at some point. They don't actually need the number until they agree to buy something, but having it can save a good deal of time.
Wanting it in a query is most often a sign that they deal with a lot of full-time freelance writers, which means ones who don't write on spec.
But if you feel uncomfortable sending it, wait until they make you an offer.
It's pretty easy to tell whether you're dealing with a legitimate magazine. If you are, you'll have to give it to them at some point. They don't actually need the number until they agree to buy something, but having it can save a good deal of time.
Wanting it in a query is most often a sign that they deal with a lot of full-time freelance writers, which means ones who don't write on spec.
But if you feel uncomfortable sending it, wait until they make you an offer.
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No. No no no no no no no.
Listen to robjvargas. As an IT geek myself, nothing makes me cringe more than someone who sends that kind of info without thinking about it (especially when there's no good reason to at this point in time). In our line of work, they usually end up the victim of identity theft or emptied bank accounts. So good for you for hesitating! Now follow that instinct that it's not a good idea.
They'll need this if you're accepted for publication, not before. It may be the whole freelance thing others have mentioned, but why take the risk? I doubt you'd be rejected for failing to provide it with the query. They'd just ask for it later once they actually need it.
Listen to robjvargas. As an IT geek myself, nothing makes me cringe more than someone who sends that kind of info without thinking about it (especially when there's no good reason to at this point in time). In our line of work, they usually end up the victim of identity theft or emptied bank accounts. So good for you for hesitating! Now follow that instinct that it's not a good idea.
They'll need this if you're accepted for publication, not before. It may be the whole freelance thing others have mentioned, but why take the risk? I doubt you'd be rejected for failing to provide it with the query. They'd just ask for it later once they actually need it.
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This. It's VERY important to protect that last little bit of information. I'd also add that whenever a website (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) asks for an "optional" birthdate, make it very optional. I put down the wrong one--either the wrong month or the wrong year. Too easy to find my name, my address and other stuff online. It's just one bit they don't need. Like my SSN.
Is this the equivalent of the UK's National Insurance number? I put that on countless forms every week.
Cripes.
Cripes.
Asking for an SSN right away before a contract is even signed seems unprofessional to me. Definitely wait until they actually need it. What if they don't accept you as a writer for their magazine? Then your SSN is unnecessarily floating around out there.
Me too. QN is my character's name and the birthday I have listed is his birthday. On sites that actually require my real identity (FB) I leave off the year. Most of my family knows how old I am. Lol.
Me too.
QN is my character's name and the birthday I have listed is his birthday. On sites that actually require my real identity (FB) I leave off the year. Most of my family knows how old I am. Lol.
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Just don't.
There'll be time enough to send them the number when they accept your story and pay you. They won't need it until then.
There'll be time enough to send them the number when they accept your story and pay you. They won't need it until then.
I would have to agree with everyone who cautioned you not to provide it at this stage. At least wait until they've made you an offer and sent the paperwork - and don't send it via email.
Personal information may be somewhat easy for hackers to obtain, but it's not a good idea to make it any easier for them.
Personal information may be somewhat easy for hackers to obtain, but it's not a good idea to make it any easier for them.
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You only provide that info when you're being paid by whoever.
In my many initial queries (seeking representation for a novel) I've never had agent or agency request it either.
But when I sold my first story, the publisher required it as they were going to pay me.
In my many initial queries (seeking representation for a novel) I've never had agent or agency request it either.
But when I sold my first story, the publisher required it as they were going to pay me.
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Don't give it unless it's to the person who is paying you. I think it's pretty strange that they want the SSN in a query letter too. It might cut down on paperwork, but it opens up the door for lots of people having access to your SSN, especially if it goes in the reject pile bin prior to shredding (if they indeed shred rejections).
Listen to the Information Security geeks. Never, EVER send a SSN by email.
My better half just nailed a 120K-a-year job because he was the only prospective employee contacted by the hiring firm who 1) refused to send his SSN by email, and 2) explained to the firm why they shouldn't take seriously the security qualifications of anyone who *did*.
Yes, James, it's relatively easy to get and decode SSN and other personal ID numbers. That doesn't mean innocents should make it easy on the bastards who do so.
My better half just nailed a 120K-a-year job because he was the only prospective employee contacted by the hiring firm who 1) refused to send his SSN by email, and 2) explained to the firm why they shouldn't take seriously the security qualifications of anyone who *did*.
Yes, James, it's relatively easy to get and decode SSN and other personal ID numbers. That doesn't mean innocents should make it easy on the bastards who do so.
Don't think so. I think it's a sort of amalgamation of an NI number, a tax reference and a P60. It seems to be used for identification purposes too, but perhaps more so than an NI number.
I might be wrong, but it'd be like us handing over a number which potentially allowed someone to access our entire income history.
Regards,
Peter
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Is this the equivalent of the UK's National Insurance number? I put that on countless forms every week.
Cripes.
Close enough for government work. Pun intended.
The Social Security Number was never intended as a unique identifier. But it *is* (theoretically) being used that way because everyone is supposed to have their own. An official Social Security card is even one of the two forms of ID legally acceptable to prove US citizenship.
I suspect the company in the OP is intending to use it as a unique identifier. Far too many organizations do.
And I think our country is making a big mistake allowing that.
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