This is just FYI
I to am self-employed with a single member LLC. It's common for me to receive a W-9 request from vendors, as well as clients. Under no circumstances and with no exceptions do I ever give out my SSN. I have no problem providing my EIN.
If my SSN is abused, that can ruin my entire life. Whereas if my EIN is abused, it only affects the business side of things and its easier to handle such a situation. With an EIN, there are only two entities that know what SSN that EIN is tied to. That's the person that requested the EIN, and the IRS. No other entity has a need to know what SSN an EIN is tied to. I've never had anyone insist on my SSN. But if they did, they either accept the EIN or take their business elsewhere.
Also, while I don't know it for a fact, I've been told that a compromised/abused EIN can be "closed/cancelled" or whatever the term is. Whereas with an SSN, that can't be done so easily.
