Someone illegally using your Social Security number and assuming your identity can cause a lot of problems. The Social Security Administration protects your Social Security number and keeps your records confidential. We don’t give your number to anyone, except when authorized by law.
Does Publishers Clearing House ask for Social Security number?
Unfortunately, no. While sponsors are required to report prizes worth $600 or more, they are able to report prizes of any value. And for tax purposes, they often do. Sweepers have had to return notarized affidavits with social security numbers for promotional t-shirts and $10 gift cards.
Why do sweepstakes need winners’social Security numbers?
In order to be sure that the win is attributed to the right person, the sponsor needs to include your social security number on the forms that they send to the IRS. That means that in order to ensure that taxes are assigned fairly, they ask their potential winners for their social security number.
Do you need a Social Security number to claim a prize by mail?
Postal mail should be fine, but a simple email could put your information at risk. By making sure that you take steps to ensure that your social security number is protected, you can claim your legitimate prize wins while still protecting yourself from identity theft and other crime.
Do you have to pay taxes on sweepstakes prizes?
Sweepers have had to return notarized affidavits with social security numbers for promotional t-shirts and $10 gift cards. As a reminder, winners are required to report all of their prizes on their own sweepstakes taxes. The prizes you report should match or exceed those reported by the sponsors.
Do you have to have Social Security number to win slot machine jackpot?
Punters must also produce their social security number in order to claim a jackpot. Ms Obie, an occasional casino visitor, told FOX5DC staff had collected her identification including her social security number — but ended up misreading it by just one digit.
