fileplanet advertising

I'm wondering if i should advertise for fileplanet on my site. Basically, I'm wondering if it's safe to give them my social security number, as they ask for it.

What? What if you don't have a social security number?

Sounds like a scam to me. Think: Identity theft.

There is no reason whatsoever for them to ask for that information.

Give them a fake one.

Then they can't pay you?


What information are they supposed to use when reporting your earnings to the IRS then?


That'll work. Of course, someone else will get paid for his advertising...

I'm sorry. Not being American, I wasn't aware that a social security number was equivalent of a bank account number. I find it hard to believe that Gamespy/Fileplanet work exclusively with US citizens, although I'm prepared to be proven wrong.

The bank statements?

Or rather someone else would have to pay the taxes on whatever he advertises.

You've never been paid by an American company? Whether you're American or not, they want long tax forms filled in before you can receive a penny. I'm only guessing, but I suspect the penalties for them not doing so are high.


I find it hard to believe too, and I wasn't suggesting it. If you're not an American taxpayer, you'd have to fill in more forms ( including W8BEN, I think, although I could be misremembering. )


Oh right, I hadn't considered getting paid directly into a bank account. I was thinking about PayPal or something. I guess if you're concerned about them stealing your identity if you give them your SS number, it's much better to give them your bank account details and then they can get right down to stealing your money without the inconvenience of stealing your identity first. Cuts out the middle man.


The american tax system doesn't let someone else pay all your taxes for you unless your a big corporation threatening to offload jobs if they don't cut you a huge tax break XD

I can imagine companies being taxed on adverts, but its a bit cheeky the normal user being taxed (except for large amounts).

But being an American company, its not really surprising...

Anyway, I would forget about Fileplant, and go for Google instead - all they want is your bank details...

> I can imagine companies being taxed on adverts, but its a bit cheeky the normal user being taxed (except for large amounts).


Most likely Fileplanet needs the SS number so they can prove to the IRS that THEY (fileplanet) spent money on advertising, so they can lower the tax they owe. Without the Social Security number (there would be a different kind of number if it were another corporation they were dealing with) they can't prove they spent the money (or at least they can't prove they didn't just spend the money by putting it in their officer's bank accounts)

Bull. GameDev doesn't ask me for my SSN.

You don't appear to have any GameDev adverts on your site.

> Bull

If they pay you then they should.

I think this will differ from state to state and FP are covering all bases.