Comcast's customer service czar Frank responded to our post "Comcast: "The Patriot Act" Mandates We Need Your SSN" by saying it was an error on part of the agent. Via Twitter he said:

Our policy is SSN not required. I believe the agent came from financial services where that is the policy. We have coached them

It indeed seems the rep was under the misimpression that Comcast fell under the Know Your Customer clause of the Patriot Act. Props to Frank and Comcast for swiftly responding to and resolving the issue. On a related note, here's how one Consumerist reader signs up for utility services without giving them his social security number.

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