swmic

Hi All,

I was about to purchase a set of cashmere seats from a member here who recently posted them for sale. The purchase was going well until they asked me for my SSN so the items would clear customs through Canada. I certainly would never provide my SSN to anyone.

Sound pretty fishy to you too?

I've shipped and received items all over the globe and have never been asked for my SSN. Be careful!!!!!!!

P-daddy

Some 'in don't smell right! Did you pay yet?

swmic

No sir.

Mark in Baltimore

A member? Please let Bob Rouleau and 911SLOW know so that they can further investigate the matter.

callipygian 911

If they're the seats that RL user "Coop" is selling, I recently purchased a Bird's Armrest in Cashmere from Iain last month and the transaction went very smoothly. Also, he didn't ask for my SSN.

Kind of weird to ask. Maybe b/c the shipment is so large in size? What did he say when you challenged him on this point?

slickster85

Maybe not fraud. Seats aren't worth over 2k though. I seem to recall fedex or UPS asking for something like this in the past as well, but don't remember for sure.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...0from%20canada

swmic

He was cool about it and claimed the shipper needed it. I'm just a bit spooked about the whole deal. Asking for your SSN is about the biggest RED flag you can raise.

callipygian 911

Maybe suggest he use a different shipper. I definitely wouldn't give out my SSN.

600RR

Well my experience of late involved buying a 993 hardtop from France. I not only had to supply my SSN, I had to present my SS card at the nearest customs house before customs would release it. And I had to post a bond or put up a deposit for 12 months equal to the value of the top. All-in-all, it took me almost 7 hours to get the top released.

Can you say "Thank you Homeland Security. I feel so much safer with the myriad new regulations."

CaptainGSR

I would just call CBP and ask them directly...

Opo

I bought some seats from a RL member and they had to go through customs, they did ask for SS # and the seats are here and everything was smooth ...

Mike J

How much money we are talking about here?

911 Crazy

Hmm, I seem to recall having to give my SS# when getting wheels from Canada also. Was coming from the US officials.

swmic

Yes, it seems to be a legitimate customs request, and not fraud. It looks like we can ship to a business address where a SS# is not required. Thanks for all your help!

2Many Cars

I too am reluctant to give my SS# to anyone but the fact is these days it's not hard for a determined fraudster to get your number anyway. IMHO if you can confirm a real need for someone to have it then go ahead and give out your number. It's my bank data that I will NEVER give anyone (and neither should you).