Comments on: Should You Trust Freelance Writing Clients with Personal Information?

By: The Freelance Writing Jobs Weekly Rundown: February 14, Edition : Freelance Writing Jobs | A Freelance Writing Community and Freelance Writing Jobs Resource

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:20:46 +0000

[...] Should You Trust Your Freelance Writing Clients with Your Personal Information? [...]

By: Freelance Friday - Project Management Tools, Haggling, & Committment | Kristi Hines

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 23:31:34 +0000

[...] Should you trust freelance clients with your personal information? [...]

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:54:08 +0000

Thanks so much for this post. I have been worried about providing information to my clients.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:19:34 +0000

The issue that I had with this was due to method of transmission. One company that I work with changed its invoice procedures so that invoices are now only accepted electronically. An SSN is required on each invoice in order for it to be processed. I don’t mind that the company has my SSN. They’re reputable, and I’m very comfortable with them. However, I wasn’t too crazy about that information being sent through cyberspace. Who knows what sort of glitches could occur? I offered to call the office each time I submitted an invoice and verbally give my SSN to Accounting, but the company said that as long as the number’s on file, they’d just go ahead and look it up. Everything’s worked out fine.

By: Thursday Bram

Thursday Bram — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:40:30 +0000

I'm a big believer in using an EIN with my clients. I also use a PO box for my address — sure, many of my clients know in general where I live, but I feel like giving them my actual address is just asking for trouble. .-= Thursday Bram´s last blog ..Ask Me Anything: First Steps and Contracts =-.

By: Rebecca Quinn

Rebecca Quinn — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:01:18 +0000

Great post, Deb! We can’t be too careful these days. I also recommend that freelancers in the US get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS. Anyone who is doing freelance work is already a sole proprieter, and you don’t need to set up an LLC to get one of these numbers. You don’t even need to have employees. All you need to do is call the IRS or go online and apply – you will receive your EIN immediately. Then you can give this number to clients instead of your Social Security Number. More info on the IRS website at: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html

Also, using a private mail box and toll-free number are great ways to make your freelance business look more professional while protecting your home address and personal phone numbers. Thanks again for reminding us to use caution!

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:44:21 +0000

This is a great post. I’m always nervous about giving my SSN and when I first started writing really questioned if I was supposed to or had to. I’m not one of those people that hands it out easily for credit cards and the potential employers I have given it to have been businesses or universities, not someone I was put into contact with via Craigslist. I never give it if I don’t have to. I understand that it is needed for tax purposes for some clients, but I make sure it is a valid gig before handing over the info. I check out the site, see if there are other writers, etc.
.-= Lori´s last blog ..A Big Win and a Good Cause =-.