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Why Would A Pawn Shop Ask For Your Social Security Number?

8 June 2009 522 views 6 Comments

A couple friends of mine recently brought a television to a Pawn Xchange and they asked for a social security number… Which they gave without thinking about it. Why would a pawn shop need your social security number? Something to do with theft or somesuch?

6 Comments »

  • Navy Wife said:

    I used to work at a Pawn Xchange in Bremerton, WA. We asked for a SSN because it was required by the local police department. We had to have a SSN or we could not process the pawn, our system wouldn’t let us go through with it. We forwarded all of our new pawns every week to the police department, where designated detectives would keep an eye out for suspicious pawns and stolen items. The SSN helps them track suspects and distinguish between different people with the same name. Hope this helps!

    # 8 June 2009 at 9:19 pm
  • Baby Strollers said:

    It’s to cover themselves in case the merchandise comes up as stolen.

    # 8 June 2009 at 9:19 pm
  • astrospa said:

    That would be my guess that they are using it for identification purposes and hopefully nothing else

    # 8 June 2009 at 9:19 pm
  • andy said:

    Understandable if they are doing a background check for a gun purchase but for a game system … weird.

    # 8 June 2009 at 9:19 pm
  • heart_he said:

    To make sure the goods you are handing in are not stolen.
    Police regularly check local pawn shops and dealers for illegal dealings.

    # 8 June 2009 at 9:19 pm
  • Edee84 said:

    Most likely to make sure your not an illegal alien or maybe they think your trying to sell something illegal or stolen.

    # 8 June 2009 at 9:19 pm

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