I 100% agree.

I went to a dealer to buy a car in cash (well, a cashier's check). They had a touch-screen computer with all their forms for me to fill out. It came to a credit approval/application form, and I refused to fill it out because I wasn't opening a loan. The lady assured me it was "standard" and that it wouldn't be used for anything, because I didn't need the loan/credit. I kept refusing, and she kept insisting they only needed it because the software required it to continue. After this impasse, I stood to walk out, and she suddenly changed her tune and somehow "figured out" how to bypass the form. Classy.

Even if you pay cash, a dealer may require a credit check, however you have no obligation to provide any financial details. I think they just want to make sure your credit is good enough for some proxy that your check is good. I've also heard it's for identity purposes. Also, this all might vary by state laws, too...

> some proxy that your check is good

That's why they had a cashier's check and not a personal check.

Hmm. I wonder if shady car dealers have ever abused approval of that form. That would be interesting to find out about.

Because, considering it sounds like you bought the car outright, there's absolutely no reason for that form to need signing.

Fun fact: Car dealerships are actually considered financial institutions under FinCEN regulations. Depending on the cost of the car/cash amount, they may need your SSN for reporting purposes.

No, they still do not. Banks don't even need your SSN...

> You are not required to have a social security number to open a checking or savings account.

Source: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/can-i-get-a-checkin...

“To open a checking or savings account, the bank or credit union will need to verify your name, date of birth, address, and ID number. An ID number can be a social security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).“

Having spent more than a few years in FinTech, I know these things can vary from company to company as companies generally are required to design their own “risk-based” policies for AML and KYC.

"can be" not "must be". Driver License number or just about anything else is legal, it's just up to the bank whether or not they want to accept it.

What do you do if they say you have to fill it out? I realize it hasn't happened in your case, but it very well can to someone else.

Tell them that I'm undocumented and paying with cash?

(I'm not undocumented, but I imagine they see that enough which is why they don't bother saying anything when I leave it blank.)

I'm pretty sure they just want your SSN for collections/credit-reporting purposes.