Ticketmaster requesting social security numbers for ticket purchases has become an increasingly common practice, leaving many customers confused about why this personal information is required. While Ticketmaster claims SSNs are needed to verify identities and prevent fraud, the request has raised many questions around data privacy and the necessity of providing sensitive information just to buy a concert ticket.
What is Ticketmaster’s reasoning for requesting SSNs?
According to Ticketmaster, social security numbers are collected for identity verification purposes and to prevent unauthorized ticket purchases. By linking tickets directly to an individual’s SSN, the company aims to cut down on ticket fraud by ensuring each purchase is being made by the actual ticket holder.
Ticketmaster says that requesting SSNs allows them to keep tickets securely in the hands of fans instead of third party resellers or ticket brokers who may purchase large quantities of tickets and then resell them at inflated prices. This also helps enforce ticket purchasing limits when high demand events go on sale.
In their terms of service, Ticketmaster states: “We may require credit card authorization, information such as a social security number or a driver’s license number, or other information which may be used to confirm your identity and help prevent fraud. If any information requested does not match the information you supply, Ticketmaster may deny your order.”
Are there laws related to companies collecting SSNs?
There are no federal laws in the U.S. that outright prohibit companies from collecting social security numbers. However, there are some regulations around how SSNs can be gathered and used:
- The Privacy Act of 1974 requires government agencies to disclose when collecting SSNs whether it is mandatory or voluntary, explain the purpose, and how the SSN will be used.
- The Social Security Act of 1935 prohibits the misuse of SSNs for fraud or false representation.
- Some state laws provide stronger restrictions on SSN collection, storage, and disclosure.
Most regulations focus on proper disclosure of why SSNs are being collected and making sure individuals are aware the choice to provide their SSN or not. Ticketmaster does include language in their privacy policy and terms of service about collecting sensitive data like SSNs for identity verification and fraud prevention.
Is providing your SSN to Ticketmaster risky?
Handing over your social security number always carries some level of risk. SSNs can be used for identity theft, opening new accounts, or gaining access to existing accounts. However, Ticketmaster claims they take proper precautions to protect users’ sensitive data:
- SSNs are encrypted and securely stored in Ticketmaster’s systems.
- Access to SSNs within the company is limited to employees who need it for identity verification.
- SSNs are not used for marketing or shared with external parties.
That being said, many security experts still recommend not disclosing your SSN when it is optional, as there is always the chance of a data breach. Ticketmaster has run into security issues in the past, including a 2018 breach that impacted 40 million customers. So there remains a small level of risk in providing your social security number.
Does Ticketmaster actually need SSNs to prevent fraud?
Ticketmaster justifies its SSN collection policy by claiming it is necessary to cut down on ticket scams and resellers. But some critics argue there are other effective fraud prevention and identity verification methods that do not require SSNs:
- Using multi-factor authentication via phone/email verification codes.
- Analyzing user purchase history and billing information.
- Limiting the number of tickets that can be purchased per customer.
- Partnering with ticket exchanges to identify illegitimate bulk purchases.
Ticketmaster could likely implement alternatives like the above to achieve the same goals of fraud prevention without the need for customers to hand over sensitive personal information. The necessity of collecting user SSNs specifically remains questionable.
Is Ticketmaster legally allowed to require SSNs?
There is no federal law prohibiting Ticketmaster from requiring SSNs for ticket purchases, as private companies generally have flexibility in what information they collect from customers. However, some states such as New York and New Jersey have passed additional regulations when it comes to businesses gathering Social Security numbers:
- NY bans requiring SSN disclosure for buying a product/service.
- NJ requires companies clearly inform how SSNs will be used.
- Some regulations only apply to residents of that state.
So while Ticketmaster’s SSN policy remains legally valid in most of the U.S., residents of certain states may have grounds to push back against surrendering their Social Security numbers. But Ticketmaster does also provide the option to verify your identity in other ways if you choose not to provide an SSN.
What are Ticketmaster’s alternatives to providing your SSN?
For customers who don’t feel comfortable giving out their SSN, Ticketmaster does offer alternative identification methods. These include:
- Verifying your identity by answering personal questions based on your credit history and other records.
- Providing a copy of a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Showing other documentation with identifying information like a recent utility bill.
- Entering the 3 or 4-digit CVV code on the back of the credit card used for purchasing.
While these alternatives may involve some inconvenience compared to directly inputting your SSN, they allow customers to buy tickets on Ticketmaster without divulging their Social Security number if they have privacy concerns.
Should I be concerned about Ticketmaster saving my SSN?
Considering that Ticketmaster has faced data breaches in the past, it’s understandable some customers may worry about their SSN being stored in the company’s databases. Realistically, there is always some degree of risk involved in a third party maintaining your sensitive information.
However, Ticketmaster states that SSNs are encrypted and only made available to authorized employees as needed for identity verification. They also assure customers that SSNs are not used for marketing purposes or shared externally. So while handing over your SSN understandably raises concerns, Ticketmaster seems to be following standard security practices for safely managing sensitive data.
That said, it’s always smart practice to be cautious about who you provide your SSN to and proactively monitor your credit reports regardless. You also have the option to use Ticketmaster’s other identity verification methods if you do not want them to have your Social Security number on file.
Are there privacy issues around requiring SSNs?
The practice of mandatory SSN collection has faced criticism from some privacy advocates. Points raised include:
- Customers should not be required to share private information to purchase a product/service.
- Handing over SSNs enables broader tracking of individuals’ behaviors.
- Storing SSNs creates security risks if company databases are breached.
- SSNs enable connecting customer data across different platforms.
From this perspective, requiring SSNs is an overreach and violation of customers’ personal privacy. Critics argue Ticketmaster should rely on less intrusive identity verification methods even if less convenient for the company.
Is Ticketmaster’s SSN policy anti-consumer?
Some consumer rights advocates argue that Ticketmaster demanding SSNs takes advantage of customers in multiple ways:
- Forces people to surrender personal information they wish to keep private.
- Effectively punishes those who don’t comply by making ticket purchases more difficult.
- Exploits high demand for popular events by imposing strict ticket purchasing rules.
This view paints Ticketmaster’s SSN requirement as an anti-consumer tactic for increasing control and making it harder for individuals to buy tickets. It abuses the company’s dominant position in ticket sales to impose unreasonable demands on customers.
Counterarguments in defense of Ticketmaster
However, there are some counterpoints in Ticketmaster’s defense related to requiring SSNs:
- SSNs provide the most reliable method for identity verification and reducing fraud.
- Alternatives like ID documentation can also be sensitive personal information.
- Ticketmaster allows those uncomfortable with providing SSNs to use other options.
- Ticketmaster has legitimate business interest in preventing ticket scams and resellers.
From this perspective, Ticketmaster is not necessarily exploiting customers, but rather doing what it believes is necessary to ensure fair ticket sales. Their SSN policy, while controversial, aims to prioritize fan access over profiting from resold tickets.
Conclusion
In summary, there are reasonable arguments on both sides of this debate around Ticketmaster’s SSN requirements. While Ticketmaster maintains it uses SSNs strictly to verify identities and reduce ticket fraud, privacy advocates view the mandatory collection of sensitive information as consumer exploitation.
Ticketmaster does seem to take data security seriously and offers alternative verification options. But some still find the SSN requirement excessive and invasive, especially amid other limits imposed on ticket sales. Overall there remain legitimate concerns around consumer privacy, but also understanding Ticketmaster has valid business motivations behind their attempts to limit scalpers and ensure fair ticket access.