SS# on the 4473?

[AZ]

I was filling out the ol' 4473 this weekend and noticed something that had I had always passed over. There is a spot to put your SS# but it states that it "isn't necessary but helps with identification". What on Earth does this mean? Does anyone know what use your Social Security number could possibly play in the process? They don't read your SS# to NICS obviously, so why do they ask for it voluntarily? They aren't documenting your purchases by your SS# are they?

 

[Rail Driver]

The do read the SSN to NICS if you fill it in. If you have a common name, it helps prevent false negatives and/or delays

 

[bikemutt]

In the case where the purchaser may have a number of attributes similar to a prohibited person, the SS# may be useful to prevent being denied owing to mistaken identity. While the NICS does not know the SS# of someone with no record, they do know the SS# of felons.

AFAIK, the NICS does not keep the records of proceeded transfers beyond one day. The FFL however must keep the 4473 around for years. I believe if the FFL goes out of business, the 4473s are given to ATF.

My biggest concern regarding SS# on 4473 is the prospect of the FFL being the victim of a burglary where the files fall into the hands of criminals. There is obviously a great deal of personally identifying information on form 4473, having SS#s included as part of the heist is icing on the cake for identity thieves.

 

[DMF]

If you give them the SSN that's one additional identifier they can use to narrow down the results of the crim history query. Without it the chance of you being mistaken for a prohibited person go up.

 

[JohnM]

None of us like the idea of that form 4473, but there are a lot of worse places where your SS# can be recorded.
Get over it.

 

[rajb123]

I never post my SS on anything except tax returns.

By federal law you are not required to provide this to anyone except on tax returns and to employers who are required to withold SS taxes.

Yeh, perhaps adding this information to a 4473 can help avoid getting your name confused with someone else but I would never do it.

A paper copy of this form is retained by your FFL for, what 20 years? What happens to this information if your FFL dies? It is simply no longer under his or her control. The paper copy with your SS number can be used by someone else to steal your identity or worse.

 

[oneounceload]

Member


Join Date: December 22, 2010
Posts: 558

I never post my SS on anything except tax returns.

By federal law you are not required to provide this to anyone except on tax returns and to employers who are required to withold SS taxes.

So, you have no bank accounts, no credit cards, and never had a home loan or car loan?

Great if you can do life that way, most can't

 

[mgkdrgn]

My biggest concern regarding SS# on 4473 is the prospect of the FFL being the victim of a burglary where the files fall into the hands of criminals.

If an FFL gets robbed, I -really- don't think they are going to be robbing him of his paper.

 

[bikemutt]

If an FFL gets robbed, I -really- don't think they are going to be robbing him of his paper.

I'd agree in the case of robbery, I said burglary. Arguably, in these times, the value of all that personal information is vastly more than all the guns in the safe. Just imagine the value of years of sales records containing deeply personal information falling into the wrong hands.

 

[JohnBT]

Could be, but I have yet to hear of a gun store break in where they stole paper.

Anybody else remember when nearly every merchant wanted your SSN written on your personal check when you made a purchase? A lot of folks - like me - had it printed on the checks under the address to save time at the register.

John

 

[The Bushmaster]

My Social Security Number is also my Military Service Number. Everyone has it or access to it. Soooo. What's the problem?

 

[bikemutt]

My Social Security Number is also my Military Service Number. Everyone has it or access to it. Soooo. What's the problem?

Having access to another's SS# makes it much easier for an identity thief. Up to now I've avoided being a victim myself but I have friends who have been; it's ugly.

I think the point is if furnishing your SS# to anyone is optional, it may be best to keep it to yourself.

 

[rajb123]

...never volunteer to provide information that is not required under law. ....you are just asking to have your identity stolen or worse.

 

[Bubbles]

Arguably, in these times, the value of all that personal information is vastly more than all the guns in the safe. Just imagine the value of years of sales records containing deeply personal information falling into the wrong hands.

Correct. A criminal working in a gun store and selling guns out the back door is stupid - there's little reward for a high likelihood of getting caught and prosecuted. OTOH one who sells copies of the first two pages of the ATF 4473 can make more money with minimal risk of getting caught and prosecuted.

 

[bikemutt]

OTOH one who sells copies of the first two pages of the ATF 4473 can make more money with minimal risk of getting caught and prosecuted

I hadn't even considered the inside job angle

Twice now I've been victimized by night time janitors who harvested my credit card information from someone's desk and went on short-lived spending sprees. Thank goodness the credit card companies ate the charges but you know somehow we all pay for those crimes.