Housing lease
 

I'm about to sign a housing lease for one year. But the application requires a lot of sensitive data about me. Like my mother's maiden name, social security, and bank account number.

Is this normal?

Mother's maiden name and bank account number I've never had to provide for a lease agreement. I have had to provide a valid SS# for the purposes of running a credit check.

In short, this isn't normal.

In a lot of cases, you don't need to give your social security number. I know that on the leases I've signed, this information is optional.

I've never had to put my bank account number... that doesn't sound right. SS#'s normal though. They're just gonna check and see if you've screwed anyone over before. You'll probably be fine... Unless you DID screw someone over before.

Ok. Thanks for giving me some insight.

I thought it was a little strange that the application would ask for my bank account and mother's maiden name. I'll ask the landlord if I can just omit that info.

Seriously? I would turn around and run away to another lender FAST. That SCREAMS "I want to get into your bank account and rip you a new one!" to me.

Who the hell is this lender, anyway? And how big are they?

Ditto what Griffin said. Mother's maiden name is a standard security question. So he's basically asking you for the answer to one of the most common security questions out there. Right.

Leaseholder also doesn't need your bank info. If you're going to be making electronic payments, you need his.

When I signed a lease I provided stuff job references and how much I made a year. I don't think I even provided an SSN, might have though, seems reasonable.

It's the first two that are wicked shady. gtfo now dude.

When we signed our lease, they also asked for bank account info.

Neither of us answered the question.

It's a big apartment complex near my university. A lot of students live there.

Look, if you have a bank account, you'll likely be paying your rent with checks. At least, I normally don't carry around 700-1000 bucks in my pocket around the beginning of the month.

Whether you like them having your bank account info or not, they will probably end up being able to read it off of your rent check the moment you pay your deposit or first months rent.

I dunno what to say about the maiden name bit. Just say you don't know it.

I'd get that looked into, I signed a mortage and I wasn't asked anything like that, just my SIN# for a credit check.

I was asked for bank account info also, but I left the information blank. I inquired if that would have any effect on my status of being approved as a tenant, and they noted that they only check bank info if the credit references came back shady and they need to check with the bank if the person holding the bank account has had a history of delinquincies and whatnot.

On numerous occasion I've been asked for SSN, but never a combination of SSN + mother's maiden name.

Oh, and don't ever give a retailer your credit card number either. They might steal it and order stuff....

Seriously, people are so paranoid over identity theft. If it's going to happen, there probably isn't shit you can do to stop it. Just periodically check your statements and get your free annual credit checks and you can at least repair damages.
Most, if not all lenders and banks have a Zero liability policy. And somebody who you're actually buying something from (or leasing from) is the least likely place to steal your monies.

Mother's maiden name, if I'm not mistaken, is a common field on a background check application.

Actually Zeph, there is something you can do to protect your credit...you can get that CreditSafe thing you hear about now. This guy on the radio comes on and gives his SSN and he says, I don't have to worry about MY credit. He has a protection, and I'm sure it's affordable 'cause you know how many people get their idenity stolen nowadays? A LOT.

Technically all you need is a name to do a criminal background check. Most employers use your name and SSN... not your mothers maiden name.

I can't really see a legitimate need for them to know either your Mothers maiden name or your bank account number. SSN maybe even then that isn't identification and you can likely refuse to provide it. At least out here they can't require that you provide it. Just leave those fields blank if you aren't comfortable giving out that kind of information.

When I signed my lease, the landlord printed up a standardized housing contract that had similar questions on them. I just didn't answer them, he didn't give a shit.

I wouldn't panic if I were you, just give the bare amount of information necessary.