On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 13:35:19 -0700, "Wil Limbacher"
wrote:

It's time to renew my license, and I notice that they want a Social Security
Number as part of the process, unless I state one of several reasons not to
offer one. One reason is that I'm only operating as a "petitioner" to the
FCC. Anyone know if applying for an amateur license renewal qualifies as
being a 'petitioner'? While we're on the subject, what does the FCC want
with my SSN anyway?

Apparently you received your present license before the start of the
FCC's issuing FIN (Federal Identification Number) numbers. When you
fill out a Form 605 for a new license or a renewal, the SSN is
required as a Taxpayer ID, just as in your Form 1040 income tax form.
When your new license comes through, it will have a FIN number on it,
and you can use this in further upgrade or renewal applications
instead of the SSN.

BTW, I also am concerned with everyone and his brother requiring the
SSN as identification. It was formerly a federal law that the SSN
should not be used for ID purposes except by the Social Security
Administration or taxpayer ID. How it got so diluted, I have no idea,
but it makes it much easier nowadays for identity theft. Go figure.