Anti-Social Affiliates?
 

Now that you pretty much have to drop your SS into every affiliate app, any of you worry at all? Makes it harder to just "wing it" and join programs you don't know.


2hp

never paid any mind... that info is supposed to be used for it's own purposes and I will own any sponsor that uses it otherwise ;)

I use an EIN (employee identification number). You should get one, they are free via the IRS

I never give out my soc, thats just asking for trouble.

A few months ago, someone hacked an affiliate of mine and sent me all the info.. jackass also sent the email from an AOL address, but needless to say, was samples of info including my own... pretty scary stuff

Not only that, but it drives me nuts every time I'm asked to enter and send my SSN over the interweb via an http connection.

I agree, and I don't, but regular guys are not going to be that organized. I guess this is just another example of changes that are eliminating the part-time webmaster from our industry. At the same time, mainstream programs are running credit checks before they approve you.


2hp

Yeah true. Im going the whole 9 yards tho now. Before I had a SP id and such, but im going to get an S-Corp for my biz and all and combine the two under one business... saves me a few hundred, but in the long run, its all a big right off.

i think the EIN is best because when you go to prepare you taxes, its a lot easier... IMO at least

I hear ya -- separate IS neat -- :winkwink:

2hp

Given that this industry has it's share of shady individuals, I wonder each time I fill out a new sponsor app how much identity theft goes on. If not the owners of the program, then rogue employees or a hacked database or an unsecured admin area.

Funny we should feel that way about our own -- and we wonder why legit biz don't trust us -- :disgust -- which raises the question:

ARE ADULT WEBMASTERS MORE OR LESS HONEST THAN MAINSTREAM?


2hp

this business was built on fraud, and theres nothing changed in the years since. therefore, yes i do feel uncomfortable everytime i enter ss number

I think adult webmasters are more honest then anyone. I mean, I used to do a lot of work for average joe sites, like ecommerce and mortgage sites. Those people are cut throat. for example, click fraud is their #1 concern. Ive had so many requests to geo target everyone BUT the cities their competition is in just because of that. Another case was this home additions/contractor guy. someone actually signed up for an esitmate to have them come to their house to steal their sales pitch... wow.

I think we as adult webmasters are alot more honest. when it comes to everything from helping someone out to paying taxes, we are more honest than any other mainstream sites

I think it totally depends on the individual person and you can't single out an entire industry just because of a handful of screwups. Those of us with morals and integrity do our best to filter out the dishonest webmaster.

Oh, I think we do a great job of weeding out the bad apples, unless they are successful enough, quickly enough to achieve "Player Immunity". What concerns me is the perception of those looking in on us from the outside.


2hp

I saw the thread title and thought you talking about me again :1orglaugh

What makes you think I'm not -- :winkwink:

I wouldn't eat ribs at any BBQ joint that turned you and the lovely Missus away --:)

2hp

thats whats nice about being canadian, you never have to enter in that shit.

its not so much that as the worry of affiliate databases being compromised.

As an LLC you never have to enter your personal SS number. I never have, and never would.

"...or how the mark just tells and tells, what he thinks, who he is, what he does, and who he knows..."

It's from a play but, it fits the context.


2hp

Look, just leave me alone.