"George Patterson" wrote in message
news:w_jvf.15562$Gu6.3912@trnddc06...
Banks can require it, since they are obligated to report certain
transactions to the IRS.

Anyone can require it. If you decline, they can refuse to do business with
you.

It's like those stupid binding arbitration agreements that stock brokers all
use now. You have a choice to refuse them, but then you can't use any real
financial services, because there aren't any companies that don't have them.

Pete