Q: When I contacted Duke Energy for a connection, they requested my Social Security number. I objected, as I understand that this number does not have to be used except for government-related information. The clerk insisted I had to share my Social Security number. Can you clarify when businesses can request this number?
G.B.
A: "To start service with Duke Energy, we must verify your identity," said Jimmy Flythe, a spokesman for Duke Energy Carolinas. "When establishing service, Duke Energy requests a Social Security number to verify identification and determine if a customer is required to pay a deposit. However, a Social Security number is not required for service."
If you would prefer not to disclose that number, you will need to complete an identity verification form, which must be notarized and returned to Duke Energy. You also will be required to pay a deposit on the account.
"Our representative should have offered this option to the customer," Flythe said.
To get the identity form, visit www.duke-energy.com/
north-carolina/moving/
identity-verification.asp.
Frank Viera, the deputy regional communications director for the Social Security Administration's Atlanta office, said people need to be very cautious when giving out their Social Security number.
"Except for the employer and financial institutions, which need them for tax-reporting purposes, people are not required to give their Social Security Number to private businesses," he said. "Giving the number is voluntary even when asked for the number directly."
If a business requests your SSN, Viera said you should ask four questions: Why the number is needed? How the number will be used? What happens if I refuse? What law requires me to give the number?
The answers to those questions can help you decide if you want to give out your SSN, see if there is an alternate method or decline to do business with that company. "Refusing to give the number might mean doing without the purchase or service for which the number was requested," Viera said.
Q: Recently, I inquired at the local movie theaters near Boone to find out if "The Iron Lady" was going to be shown. I was told by management that only four copies were released, and showings were therefore quite limited. Is that true?
R.R.
A: The answer depends on how recently you were asking. Back in late December, the information you were given was correct. Now, it's not.
"The Iron Lady" was released in four theaters — in New York and Los Angeles — on Dec. 30 to make it eligible for the Academy Awards for 2011. But it didn't go into wide release until Jan. 13, when it expanded to 802 theaters, according to boxofficemojo.com, a website that tracks movie releases and box-office results.
It has since expanded further, topping off at 1,244 theaters on the weekend of Jan. 27.
It doesn't appear to be showing in Boone, though. It is currently playing in 1,021 theaters nationwide, including the Grand 18 in Winston-Salem. That's the closest location to Boone.
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