Wally World wanted my SSAN to buy ammo!

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Yoda

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One of my local Walmarts had some ammo this evening (Brandon FL, on Causeway; Winchester White Box 9mm JHP), so I thought I'd pick up a box. I wrote a check, and when the gentleman behind the counter ran my check though the little check-processing machine, his register asked for my social security number. I asked why, and he didn't know. I told him that I'd bought ammo in the same store before, and they never needed my SSAN. He said he understood, but the computer wanted an SSAN.

OK, no point in throwing a fit, the computer wants an SSAN, so I give it "an" SSAN: "555-55-1212."

His computer allowed the sale to go through. When he gave me my receipt, I told him that that wasn't my real SSAN. He nodded. "I knew that."

I wonder if this has anything to do with that agreement Wally World signed with Bloomberg a year or so ago?

- - - Yoda
 
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I don't think it is a company wide policy as it is not required at my local Wal Mart's however I don't think I have used a check since debit cards were issued for my bank account about 8 years ago. I figure it might be a check thing?
 
I write checks there all the time...

I've written checks for ammo at Walmarts, including this one, many, many times before, even as late as two weeks ago, and this includes Wally Worlds all the way from Pensacola to the Tampa area and parts in between, and in Alabama! This was the first time they asked for an SSAN. Sometimes they ask for a drivers' license, but never before an SSAN.

- - - Yoda
 
Nobody gets my SS# outside of my bank. Nobody. Not the doctor, not the dentist, not any of the others who ask for it.

I don't give out my phone # or email address casually either. I say I have an unlisted phone # and I don't have an email address.

No reason any store or business having them would do ME any good.
 
It was the check transaction, not the ammo purchase. Obtaining SSN's for check transactions happens to be illegal.
 
I don't have an answer for you as to why they wanted it, and being in the military (where my SSN is used for EVERYTHING and is relatively often left unredacted on forms/rosters that are not properly protected as they should be under the Privacy Act of 1974)...with that background in mind - where my SSN is out 'there' far more than it should be - ain't no way wally world is getting my real SSN for ANYTHING. Good on ya' for making one up. I do the same thing with phone numbers/emails when people insist on having one.

I have actually gotten into not so friendly arguments with utility companies that want my SSN and refuse to take 'No, but I'm happy to provide you with my driver's license number" for an answer
 
Well, and gee, there was that nifty bit in the original SSA(ct) that state the number would never be used as a form of federal identification . . . and we know where than went.

Gee, even used as one's TPID (taxpayer ID) number, too.

Wonder who belongs to 555 55 1212
Hmm, 555 is CA. Comes back as a legit number.
 
They've got their ways...

to Figure out all that stuff.

Consider this. I walked into Gander Mt store in TN about a month ago and a lady asks if I want a free cap! SURE.

You just have to fill out this app. for store credit card.

OK. Not that I need or want a Gander Mt card, and there's a fraud alert on my credit report for no instant credit which I tell her.

So I give real name, fake address, fake SSN, and fake ZIP code.

I'm approved on her computer for 7000$ limit! To charge on it I just have to show picture ID. I thought no big deal, I'll just throw all that stuff away and keep the hat.

About 10 days later I get a credit card in the mail at my home! How in the H*** did they get all that info?????

I don't know who "they" is, but THEY got ways to figure out all that "secret" info. Scary!

(Didn't want to hijack your thread, but thought this might be a side note.)
 
Big Brother flagged your name on your check as a possible domestic terrorist. The SSA number check was to verify you were not the same guy. Expect a visit from "the Man" very soon.
 
I write checks at Walmart ALL the time, usually for food and stuff, often for ammo. This is the VERY FIRST time they've EVER asked for my
SSAN.

- - - Yoda
Click to expand...

A lot of times the systems will store identification information the first time you write a check. Then, it either keeps track of expiration of that ID, or only keeps it for a certain amount of time and then asks for ID again, or randomly asks for ID. The ID number isn't used until the check bounces, so a fake ID number typically won't be detected until then.

I am guessing on all this, BTW, but it seems that is what happens.

Wal Mart seems to be very weird, some things will only happen to some people and nobody else at Wal Mart ever experiences it!
 
Big Brother flagged your name on your check as a possible domestic terrorist. The SSA number check was to verify you were not the same guy. Expect a visit from "the Man" very soon.
Click to expand...

okay, that's just not funny.
 
Put it to the test--try buying something else with a check and see if they ask. It could be a new policy.

On the other hand, I've seen all kinds of nervous behavior from big-box retailers regarding firearm and ammo purchases. They don't know the law, so they go too far.
 
It means someone with your name has bounced a check there and they need to differentiate you from the one who did it previously. Usually it means they where out for whatever the amount of the check was, and where not gonna allow a repeat of check bouncing.
I was trained on this durring hospital administration.
 
Just the other day the place I bank at wanted the SS# for the people listed as. "In case of death, give them my money" WHY??? If I croak, they clam money its not enough that the gov will get involved. So I refused...
 
Had to quit buying my hunting license at Wal-Mart because they have to have your SSN to sell you one. Now I take off from work and go to the local TPWD facility to get it.
 
Try spending a couple of hours doing searches on google, white pages, prosecuting records ect., ect. and you'll be amazed at what you can find out about yourself. Might even check satilite views of your house, workplace ect. Its all on here, just have to know how to look.
 
Everyplace in my state requires you to give your SSN to get a hunting or fishing license. If your number is in the system as being late on your child support, guess what? You ain't going hunting this weekend!
 
My experience is that once you are in the Walmart computer system with a check (ie account number and no problems), they don't even ask for ID unless the amount is over some floating number like $200 or so.

The government just started this business with SSN at the airport for ticketing. Perhaps it has something to do with that new change in the sense that Walmart has plugged this into their computer system menu.

Wrote a check last night at Walmart, they did not ask for ID. But I'm in the system. I just recently started writing checks again at stores for merchandise. I don't like debit cards much. Another dang PIN to remember... too much trouble.

For info, bad guys who steal wallets usually don't waste their time with checks as ID is often requested. They love debit cards however and use them a few times and throw them away. My wife had her stuff stolen a while back and within 30 minutes, the thief was using the debit card for gas and at Walmart. Walmart had him on film. Sad but a little funny.
 
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