Safe to mail a W-9 Form?

[backplaya33]

I signed up for WaMu bank online and I had to print and fill out a W-9 form. Is this safe to send in regular mail? As it does have social security number and Account numbers in it. OR do I have to send it in a special way? Please let me know, thanks in advance.

[creditcardfree]

I think you could send it in the regular mail and then follow up with WaMu that they received it. It is a federal crime to open mail that isn't addressed to you, so you would have legal recourse, if something were to happen.

[m3racer]

Originally Posted by creditcardfree

I think you could send it in the regular mail and then follow up with WaMu that they received it. It is a federal crime to open mail that isn't addressed to you, so you would have legal recourse, if something were to happen.

Tell that to the identity theft criminals. I would NOT send it by standard mail.

[mommyof4]

Can you fax it to them?

[ecko24]

Whats the W-9 form for? i went to WaMu and and they told me it wasnt required but since i opened my account online its asking me to fill it out and send it. I dont want the IRS involved in my bank account

[MonkeyMama]

W-9 - to report interest you receive on the account.

I wouldn't feel any safer sending a fax.

Overall, it should be fine to just mail it. The fact is there is really no safe way to give them all your info. If you walk it into a branch and hand it to employee, that is not 100% safe. Faxes can be breached. E-mail can be breached. The odds that someone will steal the info on your W-9 in the mail? Slim.

For the record, I don't think mail is the safest form to send personal info either. But, if you have no other option, I wouldn't stay awake worrying about it either.