A while ago I went for an interview for a well known agency and was told to fill out a form that asked for my SSN as well as other information. I hesitated when I came across this but didn't want to rock the boat so I went ahead and filled out everything.

However, it seems that the agency has decided not to sign me on as a client, so now I'm paranoid that my info can be easily accessed to everyone in that office. Is it commom for agencies to ask for SSNs before they sign you on, or is that considered shady practice?

I get nervous about that as well, even when filling out the forms when my daughter books a job. You never know who is going to get their hands on that form and all your personal info is on there.... DOB, SS#, Driver License #, etc...

When I take her for agency/management interviews or even on auditions/go-sees and they ask for SS#, I simply put "has SS# and will provide upon hire"

Yes, i always write in "available", not sure if this is the right thing to do but it seems to be what everyone else writes.

I always write "avail" too

Never, ever give out your social security number unless it is absolutely necessary! We would never ask an actor who's taking a meeting with us for their social security number. That's crazy! Why would we need it???

The only times to give it out are when you sign with an agency, when you join a union and when you book a job. Then you have no choice. But that's about it.

Note to bohemia - there's no need to worry about it now, especially if it was an established agency but please consider this a case of lesson learned.

quote:

Originally posted by bohemiana:
... so now I'm paranoid that my info can be easily accessed to everyone in that office.

I have come across trash spilling out of bags on sidewalk with photos and resumes with SS#s.

I hope they shred your info before thowing out.

On forms at auditions I put "Sag#..."

Thanks everyone: it was my first and only interview so far so thankfully I know what to do from now on. Luckily the agency is well respected so I hope they do have a policy of shredding forms they don't need or at least storing them safely. Still, there can always be that employee or intern with their own agenda: I guess there's nothing I can do but keep a close eye on my financial records.

P.S.- People put their SSN# on their resumes?! O_o

[QUOTE]...

P.S.- People put their SSN# on their resumes?! O_o[/QUOTE

Less so now. But I have hd a very well know actress [you woudl recognise her name] gibe me a resume with her SS# on it. At that time there was a WWW site that if you put in first two groups of #s you could get locality where SS# was obtained and age range of card within a few years. E.G,: cards with 348 range were obtained in midwest and 099 range NY NJ area

Don't worry hun. My Ex boyfriend Earnie Steven Hooks, 33, who lives in Studio City, CA stole my identity, my money and my social security number. He is a con artist who does this for a living. So I was so scared I didn't know what to do. Then I found out about LIFELOCK. Check out their site and sign up. It's $110 a year. Very worth the money.

www.lifelock.com

NO FREE ADVERTISING ALLOWED ON THESE BOARDS....

Besides, isn't Lifelock currently in litigation for false claims in their advertising?????

quote:

Originally posted by MDTalentAgent:
Don't worry hun. My Ex boyfriend Earnie Steven Hooks, 33, who lives in Studio City, CA stole my identity, my money and my social security number. He is a con artist who does this for a living. So I was so scared I didn't know what to do. Then I found out about LIFELOCK. Check out their site and sign up. It's $110 a year. Very worth the money.

[/URL]

Some people say it is a waste of money.
What do you think of info at
http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/28/lifelock-ceos...so-secure-after-all/