[Rwirish]

Yes, very normal not only in TV.

[OhioBuckeye]

Well personally I don’t think you seen the last of it. What does your S. S. # have to do with getting signed up with getting a phone. Guess they didn’t want your business to bad. Crazy world!

[PersonOfInterest]

If you think withholding your SSN protects you from identity theft, then you would probably be mistaken. The fact that you are able to secure credit and transact other business without giving your full SSN should tell you that someone does not necessarily need your full SSN to use your identity. There are many ways that you can be violated by a thief without them having your SSN.

I'm not saying you shouldn't protect your SSN and other personal data, but if you don't trust major, known companies such as T-Mobile you may be restricting your ability to obtain goods and services that you may want or need. If you've bought a home, a car, a golf cart, or have credit cards you've probably given your SSN to obtain those goods and services. If your SSN is out there it can be obtained by other methods than your giving it to a company like T-Mobile.

[Blackbird45]

I had Xfinity bundle with 5 TVs in the house, I dropped the cable and am streaming the equipment rental alone saved me a ton of money. The streaming package saved me more money, besides using my own modem, it easier to add and drop extras like HBO. I did keep the internet and cell phones with them which is $30 a month for 2 phones. I suggest before you leave Xfinity see what you're willing to do and what they will let you keep and at what price.

[KCAlan]

Originally Posted by Paper1

The bill for my Xfinity package for TV, internet, and landline phone has become obscene. After doing a little homework I decided to try the T-Mobile 5G internet. Went to their store in Burnsed and signed up. They had my information except for payment method. Early in making out paperwork they asked for last 4 of my social security number which I gave them. He brought out the equipment and then asked for the first 5 numbers of my Social Security number. I told him I didn't give that to anyone unless they were hiring me. I was told I could not sign up for their service without giving them the entire number. We said goodbye at that point. Am I to believe customers in The Villages turned over that information to do business with T-Mobile? If so I understand why scammers like us.

We just bought Xfinity WiFi and purchased YouTube TV. Streaming at 200 Mbps handles 4 TVs and all other devices without any problems. It’s about half the cost of cable.

[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Is your spectrum service DSL, coaxial, or fiber optic cable? We are looking to add internet service and spectrum only offers DSL where we live and I don’t want service that buffers.

We have never had a problem with our Spectrum service buffering. We are south of 44.

[M2inOR]

If you are considering alternatives for Internet service south of 44 in all the new areas.

First, there are Comcast/Xfinity and Spectrum using cable technology. In Marsh Bend those are the only wired options. Some newer areas on the Sawgrass side, I understand there may be some Fiber options.

Price promotions for the first year or two to draw you in. Goes from $$ to $$$$ after those first years. I have Spectrum, and have been happy with internet. I stopped the cableTV from Spectrum and switched to YouTube TV. Half the cost and much better.

If considering internet and/or TV service using cellular tech from AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile...

South of 44, AT&T provides the best for me in Marsh Bend. I have used my hotspot capability at times for TV, as there are limits to performance, even though it's unlimited. They do not offer TV service.

Verizon and T-Mobile both provide cellular Internet for streaming, but the signal isn't as good. When I tested, Verizon was OK, and T-Mobile wasn't strong enough for us.

Best to ask for trial to see if it's going to work for you.

No comment about SS.

[La lamy]

Originally Posted by Paper1

The bill for my Xfinity package for TV, internet, and landline phone has become obscene. After doing a little homework I decided to try the T-Mobile 5G internet. Went to their store in Burnsed and signed up. They had my information except for payment method. Early in making out paperwork they asked for last 4 of my social security number which I gave them. He brought out the equipment and then asked for the first 5 numbers of my Social Security number. I told him I didn't give that to anyone unless they were hiring me. I was told I could not sign up for their service without giving them the entire number. We said goodbye at that point. Am I to believe customers in The Villages turned over that information to do business with T-Mobile? If so I understand why scammers like us.

Yes they do. Xfinity wanted SSN number for cell service, but not internet. So I have internet with them and buy as you go Tracfone cell plan.

[AnnFL]

Originally Posted by Paper1

The bill for my Xfinity package for TV, internet, and landline phone has become obscene. After doing a little homework I decided to try the T-Mobile 5G internet. Went to their store in Burnsed and signed up. They had my information except for payment method. Early in making out paperwork they asked for last 4 of my social security number which I gave them. He brought out the equipment and then asked for the first 5 numbers of my Social Security number. I told him I didn't give that to anyone unless they were hiring me. I was told I could not sign up for their service without giving them the entire number. We said goodbye at that point. Am I to believe customers in The Villages turned over that information to do business with T-Mobile? If so I understand why scammers like us.

Spouses' medical devices can't even communicate out but t-mobile doesn't care. They also have hidden costs. TV freezes, texts and calls don't go through. Stay away if you can. VERY unhappy, with no help from them.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by KCAlan

We just bought Xfinity WiFi and purchased YouTube TV. Streaming at 200 Mbps handles 4 TVs and all other devices without any problems. It’s about half the cost of cable.

I have considered doing the same thing, but when I did the calculations, I was never able to save 50 percent by using YouTubeTV instead of Xfinity cable. Also, Xfinity cable has more features than YouTubeTV.

[PoolBrews]

Originally Posted by Paper1

Thank you for replies. It seems I'm in the minority for refusing to give out my SS number but I'm good with that.

If you think that your SS # is not out there and available, you are sadly mistaken. By the time you're an adult, your SS# has been entered into so many databases it's impossible to keep it 100% secure. People need far more than just your SS# to do anything malicious.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Paper1

Thank you for replies. It seems I'm in the minority for refusing to give out my SS number but I'm good with that.

So, do you refuse to provide your SSN to banks, investment companies, credit card companies, medical offices, pharmacies, mortgage companies, Federal and state agencies, title companies, hospitals, attorneys, and others?

[merrymini]

Freeze your credit. It is free. People do not need your social security number to steal your identity, not that I think your not wanting to give it out is inappropriate. No one can get any credit in your name when you credit is frozen. I can top this story. I wanted to open an account at one of the credit unions and they required all three credit reports for me to DEPOSIT money in their institution. Say bye bye whenever you feel they ask too much.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by merrymini

Freeze your credit. It is free. People do not need your social security number to steal your identity, not that I think your not wanting to give it out is inappropriate. No one can get any credit in your name when you credit is frozen. I can top this story. I wanted to open an account at one of the credit unions and they required all three credit reports for me to DEPOSIT money in their institution. Say bye bye whenever you feel they ask too much.

I would be surprised if any bank allowed you to open an account without first pulling some form of history on you. When you "freeze your credit" you are likely only freezing queries from the big three agencies - there are more. Banks have another reporting agency that they can/do use though I can't think of the name of it right now. Freezing your credit with the big three does not affect this one that banks use.

Perhaps the Credit Union intended to send you offers for their credit card or other services that depend on clean credit reports. It would be easier for them to pre-screen members using reports from the big three then have to find out later you were a risk.

[mrf0151]

Originally Posted by Paper1

The bill for my Xfinity package for TV, internet, and landline phone has become obscene. After doing a little homework I decided to try the T-Mobile 5G internet. Went to their store in Burnsed and signed up. They had my information except for payment method. Early in making out paperwork they asked for last 4 of my social security number which I gave them. He brought out the equipment and then asked for the first 5 numbers of my Social Security number. I told him I didn't give that to anyone unless they were hiring me. I was told I could not sign up for their service without giving them the entire number. We said goodbye at that point. Am I to believe customers in The Villages turned over that information to do business with T-Mobile? If so I understand why scammers like us.

Slightly off topic but you are not missing anything with T-Mobile's internet. We tried it and it is slow and disconnects a lot. Verizon's was not much better.
We negotiated with Xfinity and now pay a total of $235.00 per month for TV 200+ stations, fast internet 400+ speed, home phone and 2 cell phones lines. One stop-shop bundle.