"Is that something you really have to have?" I then explained that I didn't want to give her a number, but that I would happily give her references, proof of my credit rating, and a copy of my birth certificate, but that I really don't want to give her a number. 

Perhaps because I was so sincere, she relented and eventually felt confident that I was an honest guy saying she usually has a good sense about people and that she felt good about me. The lease was later signed on June 25, 1998. 

I could have told her (and others) that I had no SSN, and explained the affidavit of Revocation for the application for the number, but I'm not yet confident in my ability to adequately give such information in a manner that will preserve credibility. Unless it's done right, most people will either think I'm nuts or won't understand the legalities. Until I'm more comfortable that I can delve in to that area with the appropriate wherewithal, I'm going to go easy on myself. 

Telephone service. I called GTE to have service turned on. "What's your social security number?" 

"Is that something you absolutely have to have?" It wasn't. She went away and came back a moment later and read their policy that they would not deny service to people who didn't give an SSN. However, I would need to pay a visit to one of their service centers to show positive ID. Not a problem. I can do that, and I did. My Maryland driver's license was sufficient. 

Gas. I called Columbia Gas. "What's your social security number?" 

"Is that something you absolutely have to have?" It wasn't. I was told that I wouldn't have to give an SSN, but that if I didn't I would have to show up at one of their offices and show positive ID. Not a problem. 

Electricity: I called GPU Electric. "What's your social security number?" 

"Is that something you absolutely have to have?" 

"Yes it is. If you don't give us a social security number then we can't put service in your name." 

"Well," I replied, "I don't have a social security number". 

After the initial surprise that you could pretty much guess, she went away and someone else came to the phone. This woman told me that "Everybody" has a social security number. Newborns automatically get them when they're born. She then proceeded to quiz me on whether I was ever claimed as a dependent on a tax return (That's only been done for the past 6 years anyway, and I've not been a dependent for a fair amount longer than that). She asked if I had any problems filing a tax return without a number, and I said it was no problem. Not truthful, but I felt she was way out of bounds with that question, and I was calling to get electrical service, not to explain tax liabilities. 

Then I took the offensive and explained that the law provided that only those people that apply for numbers get them, along with aliens coming into the country. "Can you read it to me?" I sensed a bit of sarcasm in her voice. 

"Sure". And I did. Eventually, she said that I would have to visit one of their offices and provide proof of ID, in the form of a driver's license, birth certificate, and a W-2. 

"A W-2?". I couldn't believe it. I already told her I worked for myself and told her I've never heard of a W-2 being used as identification. "I'll see what I can do". 

I figured later she wanted a W-2 so they could copy my "old" SSN off it. That made sense. As it turned out, I was unable to locate a W-2 prior to visiting their office (Darn it if I even had time to look for one). But I did have time to look for my driver's license and birth certificate. I had a friend come as a witness for me. I brought all kinds of documentation, 42 USC 405, Privacy Act, a rather damning affidavit that I was ready to hand in, a copy of the court case that went against a water company that demanded SSNs, and maybe a couple other things. I was proverbially "armed to the teeth".... 

...but it was all for naught. They rolled over like an obedient dog. When I showed up the service rep looked at her computer and asked if I was the one that "doesn't want to show a social security card". I said "yes" and presented my driver's license and birth certificate, both of which they made photo copies. I was very displeased that they photocopied my birth certificate. Driver's licenses come and go, but a birth certificate never expires. The other 2 utilities didn't photo copy anything in the course of verifying ID. 

But that was it. They didn't even ask for a W-2. We left, and I almost felt disappointment, like going to a baseball game only to have the opposing team forfeit. 

A few days later I found a letter from GPU Electric which was mailed prior to my visit with them. It stipulated that they needed either a photo ID OR 2 "alternate" IDs. "Alternate" Id's could be, among other things, a birth certificate or a W-2. Therefore, their company policy didn't even call for a birth certificate. The driver's license alone would have sufficed. 

"This cannot go unpunished!" I thought. I sat down and composed a (strongly worded) letter to GPU Electric, complaining about both the customer service rep that gave me a hard time, and the fact that they took both the birth certificate and driver's license against their own apparent company policy requirements. If I ever get a response, I'll post it. Until then, GPU Electric gets a definite thumbs DOWN from me. I think they are a very bad company to deal with, and as soon as I get the chance to leave them for another electric company, I will, and I encourage everyone else to do the same. Lousy customer service & lousy utility company. 

Addendum: After 2 months, I have recieved no response from them at all. Utility deregulation is in full force here in Pennsylvania, which makes the matter rather moot. While they clearly failed to handle my case properly, the legal standing against them is not as strong (because of deregulation and the fact that they ultimately did not deny me business/service) as it is against the Drivers license bureau. (See below). 

While Passport applications ask the applicant for an SSN, the instructions clearly state that if you have no SSN, to enter all zeros. (the SSA web site indicates the "first" SSN issued was something like 100-10-1000, which would imply that a number of "000-00-0000" will NOT be confused with an SSN, as it is not an SSN any more than the single digit "5" is).

For me, the hard part is supplying satisfactory identification with the application, as I have no driver license or any other government photo ID. But the application provides that in that case, a witness with satisfactory ID can sign an affidavit (an official form provided by stating that s/he has known me for at least 5 years. A friend of mine signed for me.

But that wasn't quite good enough.

How the company that tried to pay me will react is not yet known.