Can a rental company charge me an additional deposit if I am unwilling to provide my SSN?
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Can a rental company charge me an additional deposit if I am unwilling to provide my SSN?
I had to rent a car breathalyzer for my vehicle do to a DWI charge. I signed a contract, case number, copy of my mortgage and driver’s license. I did not feel comfortably included my SSN on the contract, however, if I did not they would charge me an additional $200 deposit. As a victim of id theft I don’t even include this on my doctor’s forms. Is this legal?
Asked on March 8, 2012 under Business Law, Texas
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
I find it odd that a rental company would charge you an additional deposit to rent a car if you refused to provide your soscial security number. Typically rental car companies require a driver's license and a major credit card to rent.
It is not illegal for the rental car company to have made the request for your social security number, but its request is certainly out of the ordinary. Personally I would have refused to rent the car if I was required to provide my social security number for identity theft reasons.
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