I won one of the ME3Missions prizes and received an email from the SE Community Developer (I assume). The typical questions like address etc were asked, but also requested that I fill out a W9 form.
1) Is this legit?
2) What is the reason for this (I was told "for tax reasons", but that is kind of vague)?
3) The form asks for our Social Security Number. I am suppose to email the form back, but I do not feel comfortable (no one should) about sending this over via an insecure method. How am I suppose to securely send this back to SE and know that it'll stay secure when SE receives it?
(I actually never received this form until today)
From http://taxes.about.com/od/taxglossary/qt/W9.htm
Be sure to transmit the W-9 securely. The W-9 contains sensitive information which should be kept private and secure. Don't send your completed W-9 as an unsecured or unencrypted email attachment. Instead use secure methods of transmission, such as hand delivery, mail, or encrypted file attachments to an email.
For individuals, this is your social security number (SSN)
– Zeno Mar 29 '12 at 20:35