USAA bank asking for copy of my SSN

[sara80 17]

About a month ago my husband added me on his checking account with USAA, which we got approved only after signing and sending the W-8ben form. Received my debit card 15-20days ago and only a couple of days ago I got a letter from them requiring a copy of my Social Security Card and a copy of ID. We have till 21st February to provide what they want, or they will close the account (??!!).

USAA is a known bank, but unfortunately there's no branches as it operates all online (but their website is pure #######!!) - is their request normal? Shall I reply by email with copies of my SSN and ID?

[sanyata 16]

USAA is far more than just a bank. Banking is just one branch of their business who's origins come from serving the military community. You're lucky they set you up beforehand without that info as most banks wouldn't. It sounds like they want the additional info to verify your identity which will ultimately protect you and your assets. If you have any questions why don't you just give them a call? They have very good customer service and should be able to answer any questions or doubts to your satisfaction. I do some of my banking, my investing and insurance with them and I find their service, rates and products very competitive and AAA+. I do think their web site could use some tweaking but it really isn't that bad at all especially if you use it frequently enough to learn how to surf it. Maybe take a different perspective and you'll see you're hooked up with a quality organization.

[Darnell 8,478]

you were eligible to apply for the SSN within the 90 day window in the I-94.

Your next time to apply will be when you have EAD or GreenCard.

--

about the USAA thingie -

I surmise it was an auto-generated letter, and you really shouldn't have received it, as you fulfilled the requirements on the W8-BEN form. I suggest you call in, get a supervisor and try to get it all sussed out over the telephone.

Edited February 4, 2013 by Darnell

[sara80 17]

USAA is far more than just a bank. Banking is just one branch of their business who's origins come from serving the military community. You're lucky they set you up beforehand without that info as most banks wouldn't. It sounds like they want the additional info to verify your identity which will ultimately protect you and your assets. If you have any questions why don't you just give them a call? They have very good customer service and should be able to answer any questions or doubts to your satisfaction. I do some of my banking, my investing and insurance with them and I find their service, rates and products very competitive and AAA+. I do think their web site could use some tweaking but it really isn't that bad at all especially if you use it frequently enough to learn how to surf it. Maybe take a different perspective and you'll see you're hooked up with a quality organization.

I guess I am not a bank-friendly person, lol

Well, my husband only managed to add me recently, only got my card for a couple of wks and don't have access online, I thought they would send me a "start-up letter" for online access. I don't even know whether we will get two separates online access (he hasn't added me yet to his credit account).. He has been phoning them and he hates phoning them, we were trying yesterday to open a saving account with them, as a joint one, but there is no way to go any further as he needs to add me and when he does so (writing my member nbr) the system says I already exists and cannot add me (urgh!) If I had my online access I'd be happier to upload such docs on their system rather than sending an email or a fax...

They were given my SS when my husband added me on the car insurance (USAA too), I've been having it since day 30 here in the states.

I guess I'll try to give them a phone tmrw, despite hating their automated switchboard!

Thank you for your advice!!

[sanyata 16]

you were eligible to apply for the SSN within the 90 day window in the I-94.

Your next time to apply will be when you have EAD or GreenCard.

--

about the USAA thingie -

I surmise it was an auto-generated letter, and you really shouldn't have received it, as you fulfilled the requirements on the W8-BEN form. I suggest you call in, get a supervisor and try to get it all sussed out over the telephone.

I'm not familiar with the above referenced form but Darnell is usually correct so give then a call, probably won't even need a supervisor as their first tier people are knowledgeable and have a fair amount of authority.

[sara80 17]

you were eligible to apply for the SSN within the 90 day window in the I-94.

Your next time to apply will be when you have EAD or GreenCard.

--

about the USAA thingie -

I surmise it was an auto-generated letter, and you really shouldn't have received it, as you fulfilled the requirements on the W8-BEN form. I suggest you call in, get a supervisor and try to get it all sussed out over the telephone.

Oh I do have my SSN, been a good girl and followed VJ guides on that! Must say that the SS office in Anchorage was well organized and issued my SS in 15 mins and also changed it to my married name when I showed up with my marriage certificate! 5stars to them for being knowledgeable on a K1 visa (I had printed that doc that I found on here where it says that K1 holders are eligible to be issued a SSN - just in case)

I will try to call the USAA tmrw, as yeah I did understand that by submitting the W-8BEN I would have been good to go until receipt of the GC, that's when I will have to sign the W-9 ..

[Darnell 8,478]

whoa - wait a mo.

if you already have yer SSN - then the w8-BEN form isn't needed.

Somethings amiss - someone decided that you needed the w8-ben form when, in fact, you never did.

I'd focus on that part, when someone calls in this week.

[sara80 17]

whoa - wait a mo.

if you already have yer SSN - then the w8-BEN form isn't needed.

Somethings amiss - someone decided that you needed the w8-ben form when, in fact, you never did.

I'd focus on that part, when someone calls in this week.

I know I know, I agree with you and we did phone in before signing the w8-ben and were told that despite having the SSN that form is needed no matter what until GC is in my hands.... They said they wouldn't have been able to add me to my husband account if I didn't provide that... a few other K1s I know had the same issue (they were even asked to write down an out of country address on w8-ben, while I wrote my address here in Anchorage, cos there is were I reside now)...

I bet that this is going to be the same: oh if you don't provide it we will have to close the account... so I guess they will win again although they are not being very clear on what is needed uh? =.= oh the joys of being a k1 in the process of adjusting status.... :S

[Darnell 8,478]

I pray it's all solved via telephone and not via some thick envelope sent to customer service.

[sara80 17]

I pray it's all solved via telephone and not via some thick envelope sent to customer service.

Thanks, I hope so too... I also hope they'll let me speak with somebody and not requiring my husband to phone, cos otherwise I'll have to wait till wednesday..

[ecg19 7]

We had the same with USAA - it took a few phone calls after they received my info to verify my identity too - so my best advice is ensure you have patience in dealing with them! I really wanted to go to a different bank in the end but it was easier for us to stay with them.

[sara80 17]

We had the same with USAA - it took a few phone calls after they received my info to verify my identity too - so my best advice is ensure you have patience in dealing with them! I really wanted to go to a different bank in the end but it was easier for us to stay with them.

I'm going to call them shortly, got a few errands to do first.. I find it frustrating not being able to go in a branch and speak to a real person, face to face! ugh!

[milimelo 4,486]

Your husband can upload requested documents through his account on USAA - all he has to do is reference your new joint account. I normally deal with USAA through online messages, it does take 24 hrs for a reply to come through but haven't had issues. The one stand alone office in DC I visited was very cool - video conferencing with a rep in Texas and then scanning in required documents on the spot.

[sara80 17]

Phoned and been told that yeah they don't only need the W8-BEN but also verify my identity, bla bla.. at the moment my member account is restricted and what shall I do rather than sending what they want... after this I should be able to register for my account online

Thanks all for your kind info!!

[dmck 80]

I also bank with USAA. I opened a checking, savings and credit card account for my fiancé about six months ago. We completed the W8BEN and filed it with USAA. We received the same letter requesting the SSN. What you have to do is call USAA (during normal working hours) and they will transfer you to a specialist that will pull the W8BEN form from your upload and apply it to the accounts. You may have to do this for each account, on the phone, but you will be fine. My fiance does not have a SSN yet, as we are still waiting for NOA2 and her arrival before she can get the #.