Blocking out info. on bank accounts

[ucla_cutie26 0]

Hey everyone,

I am putting together the forms for my husband's I-751 and will be mailing out in early November.

I was wondering if any of you blocked out some numbers from bank accounts/credit cards. I mean, the CO only needs to see the last 4 digits of cards to prove joint account, right? Or am I just being overly paranoid?

It has been so long since I filed AOS forms and I don't remember what I did.

What did u guys do?

[Inky 1,110]

Correct only leave the last 4 numbers visable on any credit card or bank account statements for your own private security reasons.

[David-and-Mae 15]

I didn't do such... I guess I just wanted to make sure that they'll find everything in order and won't have to send RFE to me. But, the copy of our church's directory where we have our picture together that I included, I had to block out the phone numbers and address of our fellow parishoners that were on the same page. I thought it was ok since their infos have nothing to do with our application. The rest, you can see all the numbers like SS#, bank account, insurance, etc.

[ELW 5]

We didn't block out anything. They already have our most sensitive and important info (SSN, mother's maiden name, etc), so what's some more? I figure it is safe.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I'll be blocking mine out (leaving just the last 4 digits) ....sorry, I don't need them having my bank account,credit card and gawd knows what other numbers in some file they leave lying on their desks for weeks that the night cleaner takes a peek at. I would say you owe it to yourself to be smart and protect your own privacy. They're not going to send you an RFE saying...uhm, can we please see your full credit card please...... think about it.

Edited October 26, 2009 by Udella&Wiz

[csoul 0]

Is amazing that some people still believe that blocking some information will do anything to avoid them to find any information they want. We are talking about the Government and we are giving them SSN and more sensitive information. So blocking is really blocking? NO. I leaved all the information in the documents I sent in every aplication.

Good luck.

Edited October 26, 2009 by csoul

[mozplay 28]

We didn't block anything and on the whole, we are careful about letting 'sensitive info' get out in the trash etc. We usually shred stuff with our names, address and account info on it.

This is USCIS... they do FBI background checks and credit checks on you throughout the immigration process AND they have your SSN. If the adjudicator really wanted to... trust me .... s/he could get your info whether or not you block anything out. Besides, most identity fraud is not from people who take the money from your account but from people who pretend to be you and totally end up messing up your credit. All the info that is needed to do that (name, SSN, address, previous address and employer, mother's maiden name) is alllllll asked for and you can't block any of it out.

Edited October 26, 2009 by mozplay

[gogal2020 0]

I only left the last 4 digits. I do agree with most people, but to a point. Yes, USCIS is the governmnment, they may know a lot of information, but this is something that should not be given to them easily. Taking over someones identity takes work, you have to get SS numbers, DOB, addresses, and such, then open the credit card to use and buy what you want. Why should I make it easy for anyone who looks at the documents or (if they loose it) for someone who finds them. The government has a lot of information about us, and yes, we provide it to them, but it's all spread out, most of the time one branch in USCIS doesn't know what's going on in the same building in another department. I sent copies of checks, credit cards and check cards, blocked all but names and last 4 digits, only because this is not a requirement to send them photocopies of the cc, its just additonal information that makes up the whole case we sent. And yes, if they reallt want to they can get all your information, but I am sure they will not want to get all of the 16 digits, since it s not relevant to the case. All in all, its your decision.

Good luck,

Mike.

Edited October 26, 2009 by gogal2020

[Lona.C. 16]

I did block most important ac numbers ,

yes the Gov can find out everything so when they recieve the pakage and they like to know the account number they can look it up ,

I did it cose I dont realy trust the postal service

( i send a registerd mail with signature return reguest to germany back in march and well yeah post office lost my mail , and since it was international delivery they had no access to see where it got lost ) ,

so what if they loos this pakage and it falls into the wrong hands by the time they find it, it can be to late and I realy dont want to file a ID fraud claim

( maybe am just a lil paranoid now, but what happend back in march was an eye opener for me )

[ucla_cutie26 0]

I only left the last 4 digits. I do agree with most people, but to a point. Yes, USCIS is the governmnment, they may know a lot of information, but this is something that should not be given to them easily. Taking over someones identity takes work, you have to get SS numbers, DOB, addresses, and such, then open the credit card to use and buy what you want. Why should I make it easy for anyone who looks at the documents or (if they loose it) for someone who finds them. The government has a lot of information about us, and yes, we provide it to them, but it's all spread out, most of the time one branch in USCIS doesn't know what's going on in the same building in another department. I sent copies of checks, credit cards and check cards, blocked all but names and last 4 digits, only because this is not a requirement to send them photocopies of the cc, its just additonal information that makes up the whole case we sent. And yes, if they reallt want to they can get all your information, but I am sure they will not want to get all of the 16 digits, since it s not relevant to the case. All in all, its your decision.

Good luck,

Mike.

You suggest some very good points, thanks. I will be blocking out numbers. You're right, if they want to look anything up, I am sure they will do so.

Thanks to all who answered.

[erporsche 0]

I only left the last 4 digits. I do agree with most people, but to a point. Yes, USCIS is the governmnment, they may know a lot of information, but this is something that should not be given to them easily. Taking over someones identity takes work, you have to get SS numbers, DOB, addresses, and such, then open the credit card to use and buy what you want. Why should I make it easy for anyone who looks at the documents or (if they loose it) for someone who finds them. The government has a lot of information about us, and yes, we provide it to them, but it's all spread out, most of the time one branch in USCIS doesn't know what's going on in the same building in another department. I sent copies of checks, credit cards and check cards, blocked all but names and last 4 digits, only because this is not a requirement to send them photocopies of the cc, its just additonal information that makes up the whole case we sent. And yes, if they reallt want to they can get all your information, but I am sure they will not want to get all of the 16 digits, since it s not relevant to the case. All in all, its your decision.

Good luck,

Mike.

You suggest some very good points, thanks. I will be blocking out numbers. You're right, if they want to look anything up, I am sure they will do so.

Thanks to all who answered.

[erporsche 0]

I filed for lifting of conditions in July and blocked out the account numbers of banking accounts, credit cards, etc. and just recieved a request for additional information. I would STRONGLY suggest you not block out the numbers. I would also suggest, make sure you send in bank account info from entire time from marriage to filing of lifting of conditions, entire 2 years. Thanks

[SuperDuper! 230]

We didn't block out anything. You have to be able to trust people sometimes. As far as I know, the Consulate is NOT in the identity theft business. If you trust the bank and your accountant to see your bank acct, social security and credit cards numbers, then why wouldnt you trust the Consulate? If you can't trust, then its time to live in an off grid cabin in Montana and have your guns at the ready! Edited November 29, 2009 by Hopp

[erporsche 0]

Sorry forgot to mention, the blocking out of the numbers was specifically referenced in my letter requesting more information. "Info was blocked out with black marker" was indicated in letter.

Thanks

[bora bora 1]

Hey everyone,

I am putting together the forms for my husband's I-751 and will be mailing out in early November.

I was wondering if any of you blocked out some numbers from bank accounts/credit cards. I mean, the CO only needs to see the last 4 digits of cards to prove joint account, right? Or am I just being overly paranoid?

It has been so long since I filed AOS forms and I don't remember what I did.

What did u guys do?

I blocked out our balance when I sent in our joint bank account information. I left the bank number and our SSNs, but I didn't feel like revealing our finances. I'm sure that that came more from the fact that I was always told to keep my fianances private.

I am aware that USCIS can find out whatever they want to on us, but that is only if they want to go through the trouble.

Because I didn't block out much, I don't foresee a problem with our application + proof of relationship.