At 10:54 AM 11/27/95 -0600, Alex Strasheim wrote:
The Chicago Sun-Times is running a contest in which readers are asked to send in their social security numbers. Someone will win a cash prize after a random drawing.
I can't figure out the angle on this. If they simply want to run a promotional contest, why are they asking for ssn's? If there's an ulterior motive, what is it? Are they going to sell the list? Would they have a use for it themselves?
Alex - There may be *an ulterior motive* of getting the person's ssn, i.e., for the purpose of the newspaper (and the winner) reporting winnings to IRS. In addition, the newspaper may also feel that, in selecting a 10-digit number, it probably will not repeat such as someone's birthdate. Personally, I lean towards the former.
The frustrating thing is that there are probably many millions of Americans who will give away the keys to the store for next to nothing. The feds probably made a tactical error: instead of trying to force mandatory key escrow down our throats, they ought to have offered everyone who is willing to submit to voluntary escrow a chance to win a Chrysler Minivan.
I agree with you. I believe *greed* is the operating word.... Regards- Lynne ******************************************************* Lynne L. Harrison, Esq. | "The key to life: Poughkeepsie, New York | - Get up; E-mail: | - Survive; lharrison@mhv.net | - Go to bed." *******************************************************