they won't let me open a bank account!

[Adam M 0]

Hi Folks,

So my new wife and I go down to a credit union here in AZ and start filling out all the forms etc. The lady was initally quite happy with my immigration status and identification...

.. but then, when we're nearly done, she says "I need a letter from the Social Security Office confirming that this number actually belongs to you. I won't be able to open the account without it."

Did this happen to anyone else? Is she being unnecessarily akward?!

I talked to the SSO who said that 1. they don't provide such letters, and 2. they've never heard of a bank requiring that before.

We are opening a joint account, but I have to be the primary account holder as my wife was a bit naughty with credit before.

Any help is appreciated.

[Geoff n Margaret 0]

Hi Folks,

So my new wife and I go down to a credit union here in AZ and start filling out all the forms etc. The lady was initally quite happy with my immigration status and identification...

.. but then, when we're nearly done, she says "I need a letter from the Social Security Office confirming that this number actually belongs to you. I won't be able to open the account without it."

Did this happen to anyone else? Is she being unnecessarily akward?!

I talked to the SSO who said that 1. they don't provide such letters, and 2. they've never heard of a bank requiring that before.

We are opening a joint account, but I have to be the primary account holder as my wife was a bit naughty with credit before.

Any help is appreciated.

I assume your wife's SSN is in her married name, yes?

What did you use for identification? (what name is on that ID?)

Any idea if the bank lady tried running a credit check while you were waiting, and came up empty? I could see where something like that might be a red-flag to a bank (they might have an internal rule that they need to be able to cross-check the name & SSN via credit report). Not saying it's right, just saying maybe that's it. I'd ask what the issue is or just try another institution.

[Adam M 0]

I assume your wife's SSN is in her married name, yes?

What did you use for identification? (what name is on that ID?)

Any idea if the bank lady tried running a credit check while you were waiting, and came up empty? I could see where something like that might be a red-flag to a bank (they might have an internal rule that they need to be able to cross-check the name & SSN via credit report). Not saying it's right, just saying maybe that's it. I'd ask what the issue is or just try another institution.

Yeah, my wife's SSN is in her new (i.e. married) name. She has photo ID in her new name too.

I used my passport and driving license for ID (she seemed ok with that) and they both have my real name on them, and it's the same name I registered with my SSN.

I don't think she even got as far as the credit check!

I was thinking about a different institution too, it's just that one seemed to offer the best value and all the services we need.

[Geoff n Margaret 0]

> I don't think she even got as far as the credit check!

Bizarre! You're giving me a headache just thinking about how often I'll be banging my head against the wall the next few months

This thread may be of interest; some good and bad credit union experiences; and bank of america apparently not requiring SSN at all..

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=25620&hl=

[Dr_LHA 3]

.. but then, when we're nearly done, she says "I need a letter from the Social Security Office confirming that this number actually belongs to you. I won't be able to open the account without it."

I assume you had the SS Card with you? Seems odd that the bank lady would say that if you did.

Did this happen to anyone else? Is she being unnecessarily akward?!

Unnecessarily awkward. When I opened my last credit union account, I don't think they even asked for my SS Card, taking my number on trust.

I talked to the SSO who said that 1. they don't provide such letters, and 2. they've never heard of a bank requiring that before.

No, usually the SS Card is the proof that its your number. Name on card and ID match? OK then!

Edited September 8, 2006 by dr_lha

[nayalamb 0]

> I don't think she even got as far as the credit check!

Bizarre! You're giving me a headache just thinking about how often I'll be banging my head against the wall the next few months

This thread may be of interest; some good and bad credit union experiences; and bank of america apparently not requiring SSN at all..

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=25620&hl=

got our joint accounts (checking and savings) opened at bank of america a few weeks back w/o a problem. i just showed her my state ID and my passport, and i told her my SS# - she never asked to see the card. i know they've approved people w/o SS# in the past, as my sister has an account there and she didn't have an SS# when she opened it.

its weird that she wanted additional proof. i've never heard of that happening anywhere. maybe she's new on the job? i mean, credit unions have their own rules but that seems really over the top to me.

[I'm Gone 60]

So my new wife and I go down to a credit union here in AZ and start filling out all the forms etc. The lady was initally quite happy with my immigration status and identification...

.. but then, when we're nearly done, she says "I need a letter from the Social Security Office confirming that this number actually belongs to you. I won't be able to open the account without it."

Did this happen to anyone else? Is she being unnecessarily akward?!

I talked to the SSO who said that 1. they don't provide such letters, and 2. they've never heard of a bank requiring that before.

Go back to an SSA office and ask for an SSN Verification Printout, but say you need it to show an employer or they might try to charge you.

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100202320

RM 00202.320 Issuing Numidents and SSN Verification Printouts

B. POLICY

Under the Privacy Act, an individual has the right to a copy of his/her SSN information, including the Form SS-5 or systems-generated application, and the Numident printout.

2. NH Insists on Obtaining Document For Third Party Verification

A NH may still insist on obtaining an SSN Verification Printout – either because a replacement card request was processed and they do not want to wait for receipt of the replacement card or because they don’t have the necessary evidentiary documentation to obtain a replacement card. In these cases:

-- Obtain proper identification from the number holder (NH).

-- Select SSN Verification Printout from the Numident Query Menu by over-keying “N” to “Y” and route the verification to the printer.

-- Stamp the FO address stamp on the SSN Verification and sign the document before providing it to the NH.

[Marilyn. 340]

My hubby finally added me to his account over the weekend... I have been bugging him about it since I got my driver's license back in the Spring... he is a bit of a procrastinator

all the guy asked for was my driver's license and my SSN card... He did a credit check and everything, of course as of now, I have 0 credit here in the States but we had no problems adding me to hubby's account...

this was at Wells Fargo...

[tom&tata 2]

.. but then, when we're nearly done, she says "I need a letter from the Social Security Office confirming that this number actually belongs to you. I won't be able to open the account without it."

I have heard that part before .. at the license branch. Somehow my SSN does not come up in their database, so we went to SSA office and asked for a verification print out. We got it free - the officer only asked the purpose of the verification letter.

At the bank, when I tried to open my own bank account, the bank officer only mention that my SSN was flagged as being issued in 2006 (new) - but that did not stop them from opening my own bank account.

Good luck !

Edited September 8, 2006 by tom&tata

[I'm Gone 60]

.. but then, when we're nearly done, she says "I need a letter from the Social Security Office confirming that this number actually belongs to you. I won't be able to open the account without it."

I have heard that part before .. at the license branch. Somehow my SSN does not come up in their database, so we went to SSA office and asked for a verification print out. We got it free - the officer only asked the purpose of the verification letter.

At the bank, when I tried to open my own bank account, the bank officer only mention that my SSN was flagged as being issued in 2006 (new) - but that did not stop them from opening my own bank account.

If a person was recently assigned an SSN this is the explaination for that.

One possible reason could be that if SSN was recently assign it may not appear on the current “High Group” list or the loan office/bank is using an outdated list.

You can find the current “High Group” issued listed on the SSA Website at:

http://www.ssa.gov/employer/highgroup.txt

The “High Group” list shows the highest Group number that has been assign within each SSN Area.

Example:

1 2 3 - 4 5 - 6 7 8 9

Area Group Serial

If the number holder's SSN Group within the SSN Area does not appear on the current list; he or she will need to wait until the next list is issued for the Group number to appear on the list.

If the number holder's SSN Group within the SSN Area does appear on the current list and there is an asterisk next to the Group number, i.e. 049 06*, then it is the first time that Group has appeared on the listed and the loan company or bank is most likely using an old list.

You can find previous lists at:

http://www.ssa.gov/employer/ssnvhighgroup.htm