Just how safe....................

[Zitech_Industries]

Just how safe is it to give your SSN to these ad companies?
Have any of you ever had any problems? The last thing I need is identity theft. And if it is comfortably safe, have you heard good things about allclicks.com? There "link anything" policy has got me wondering, but if it is legit, I want them as my ad company.

[syanet]

They need to have it for tax purposes. It's when they don't ask for it that you should be cautious.

[Robert from SI]

Zitech,

AllClicks has about 11,000 affiliates. Your welcome to stop by the SI forum ( http://www.sictalk.com )and read some of the 25,000 posts and see if we're "legit" :)


For USA individuals and corporations federal law requires us to have a valid FFN or SSN. You need to be suspect of any USA based program that DOESN'T want it.

[Zitech_Industries]

Yeah, but is giving out your SSN safe? Robert, what are your companies priorities on keeping these things safe?

[Robert from SI]

No one has access to them except our bookkeeper.

Also, unlike 99% of other firms, we do not keep your personal info online. You'll notice that if you want to change your personal info you need to email your username/password to an admin and he/she will change your info in the offline database.

It's much easier to get your SSN from public sources on the net than it is from us.

[Czar]

Zitech, Standard Internet's AllClicks program has been around for over a year now, and has always paid its affiliates.

For the past few months, we've seen several ad networks shutting up shop of cutting their rates. Standard Internet's programs, though, have maintained their high-payouts, and have expanded their services. I think that you'll find they are the very definition of legit.

[Zitech_Industries]

Well, as long as they pay on time. I've just never seen an open SSN directory before. Have any of you?

[Czar]

Zitech, Robert's talking about SSNs that are stored in networked computers. Keeping this information offline protects you from crackers, and is traditionally accepted as safer.

Many ad networks will store your personal data online (albeit often in an encypted mode behind a firewall), while others will ask you to fax them this info. No method is 100% secure, but these companies are not willing to risk their reputations on identity theft, or on releasing private info.

The fact of the matter remains that if you want to run a legitimate business and earn money from US-based online ad companies (or any US-based offline company), you will be asked for your SSN or Tax ID. The companies in question need this info in order to make their reports to the IRS. You'll find it very hard to make a living if you're not comfortable disclosing this information to your potential partners.

[}:8) Supermoo]

Originally posted by Robert from SI
stop by the SI forum ( http://www.sictalk.com )and read some of the 25,000 posts and see if we're "legit" :)

Also keep in mind twenty percent or so of the posts are claiming that they didn't cheat (when they have or still are)... and wondering why their payment was cancelled.

Please ignore all this %$@#@, SI pay and most likley always will. :)

[Zitech_Industries]

Yeah, they seem like a good bet. I just need a company that won't close up in a week. Anybody know of anything else? What about CJ? Oh, and how much have all of you made from ad revenue?

[Czar]

Commission Junction have been around for several years, and are widely regarded as the best CPA affiliate network. Many members have been noting reporting problems of late, but this is a temporary problem that should be resolved soon.

Apart from that, you should browse through the threads on this, and similar, forums. You'll find plenty of CPM, CPC and CPA brokers who are reputable, and around for the long haul.

We'd be straying too far from the original topic if we start posting details about these within this thread.

[Zitech_Industries]

Robert, what type of security do you use for the transmission of your signup form?

[}:8) Supermoo]

I think it's an un-encrypted form-mail style database update script, custom built.

I could be wrong though. :(

[Woofcat]

Quit being so damn paranoid... Anyone with your name can get your SSN if they want it bad enough...

[}:8) Supermoo]

Also you can almost guarentee being able to geting your address and full name from any WHOIS search if and when you register a name.

[Zitech_Industries]

I know it sounds paranoid, but a year back, my Uncle's SSN was stolen and it really screwed up his credit record. Apparently, the guy was using it for fake ID's and purchases. I've gotten over it and have already signed up with some SI services and am looking forward to it.

[Cheap Bastard]

well actually anyone could pick a random SSN and start screwing around with it... If you're unlucky that'll be you.