In order to get paid for hosting affiliate marketing links on your website, sometimes you will have to fill out an application. Frequently, those applications require sensitive information, such as your social security number. As you may be aware, once someone has your social security number, they basically have access to any and every type of information available about you.

If you are considering making a living on affiliate marketing, it is crucial to realize just how enormous the problem of identity theft has grown, and the kinds of things thieves will do to get your personal information. Therefore, when approaching an affiliate marketing venue, you will need to evaluate the reputability of the site. More often than not, you are better off simply not using your social security number for these sites.

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to protect your social security number is to create a dBA business, and then apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Once you have the EIN, you can use that number on any applications that you use for affiliate marketing. It is also crucial to never apply for a credit card using an EIN that may be compromised in this way. You may also want to form a corporation in order to further protect personal assets.

When it comes to identity theft, even if someone tries to use your EIN to open a bank account or apply for credit, they will have a much harder time. Consider that when you open a business account, or apply for business credit, you have to produce a lot more financial and identifying information than what is required for individual needs. Chances are if someone tries to impersonate your corporation, they will get caught more easily than if they try to steal information stolen based on your social security number.