Now you can get a credit card without having a SSN

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cubby1223

Lifer
May 24, 2004
13,518
42
86
After thinking about it a bit, it's not really BofA's responsibility to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country. I guess if the government isn't going to do anything serious about it, then why shouldn't they embrace the opportunity?
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
Originally posted by: cubby1223
After thinking about it a bit, it's not really BofA's responsibility to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country. I guess if the government isn't going to do anything serious about it, then why shouldn't they embrace the opportunity?

No
 

slsmnaz

Diamond Member
Mar 13, 2005
4,016
1
0
Wow, did credit card fraud for everyone just get much, much easier. Does this mean it will never go on your credit report too?
 

teddyv

Senior member
May 7, 2005
974
0
76
One the one hand, it will hopefully help stop the rampant identity theft by illegals. This is a HUGE problem that has been all but ignored by the Media and idiot politicians. Illegals use stolen identities to have a SSN for work, they then use forged documents and the stolen personal information to take out drivers licenses, open bank accounts, get credit cards, etc. Doesn't seem too harmless until you wake up one morning and find you are being investigated for Social Security fraud, by the IRS for unreported income, your credit is ruined and you have criminal warrants from states you've never visited because some illegal with a license in your name got a speeding ticket that he failed to pay.

On the other, if we get in the habit of ignoring "We are a Nation of Laws" and instead allow folks to decide what laws they like to follow and what laws they find inconvenient, regardless of the price the victims must pay, we have a truly bleak future.
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
i will never use bank of america for anything. i just wished all their customers felt like i do and closed their accounts. man that would send a message to the board real fast.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
i think my dog will be getting a credit card very soon
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
33
81
Originally posted by: Rickten
INS should team up with BofA and deport every single person using this service. It would be a great public service and help boost BofA's image.

Brilliant!
 

chambersc

Diamond Member
Feb 11, 2005
6,247
0
0
Originally posted by: slsmnaz
Wow, did credit card fraud for everyone just get much, much easier. Does this mean it will never go on your credit report too?

Credit reports are linked to your SS #. This new process is specifically designed for those without SS #'s. Therefore, it is not possible that it will get reported to your credit report if you don't have a SS #.
 

slsmnaz

Diamond Member
Mar 13, 2005
4,016
1
0
Originally posted by: chambersc
Originally posted by: slsmnaz
Wow, did credit card fraud for everyone just get much, much easier. Does this mean it will never go on your credit report too?

Credit reports are linked to your SS #. This new process is specifically designed for those without SS #'s. Therefore, it is not possible that it will get reported to your credit report if you don't have a SS #.

sweeeeeeeeeet!!! Sign me up
 

chambersc

Diamond Member
Feb 11, 2005
6,247
0
0
Originally posted by: slsmnaz
Originally posted by: chambersc
Originally posted by: slsmnaz
Wow, did credit card fraud for everyone just get much, much easier. Does this mean it will never go on your credit report too?

Credit reports are linked to your SS #. This new process is specifically designed for those without SS #'s. Therefore, it is not possible that it will get reported to your credit report if you don't have a SS #.

sweeeeeeeeeet!!! Sign me up

There are SIGNIFICANT fees associated with this card as well as the need for a checking account to stay active for three months. Oh, did I mention the SIGNIFICANT fees associated?
 

ryan256

Platinum Member
Jul 22, 2005
2,514
0
71
Originally posted by: mugs
Sounds like a smart way for them to lose money.

QFT! If you bank with them move your accounts now. They're about to lose a ton of money.
 

Parasitic

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2002
4,000
2
0
Originally posted by: MrBond
So what's stopping them from defaulting on CC debt then? Couldn't they open a checking account with some money (and no SSN), wait three months, run up a CC bill and withdraw their cash from the account and disappear?

Unless it's less of a credit card and more of a Visa check card, which would make the most sense.

I would imagine that it's more like a "secured" credit card where the credit line is determined by an average of your average daily balance, i.e. if you have $1000 in your checking account daily for three months and you apply for such a card, then your credit line will be set at say $800 - $1000 or something like that.


A lot of people with little or no credit history (who are legal US citizens) have credit cards like this.
 

Parasitic

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2002
4,000
2
0
Also, those of you worrying about BoA losing tons of money on this, I believe you're worrying way too much...also on the issue of identity theft note that there are prerequisite and probably numerous other requirements associated to this, and you'll have to be in the realm of organized crime to actually take advantage of this exploit...imagine the amount of funds you need to tie up for three months in order to get ONE credit card...

Banks are in the business of making money. How often do you hear banks go bankrupt?
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Originally posted by: Parasitic
Also, those of you worrying about BoA losing tons of money on this, I believe you're worrying way too much...also on the issue of identity theft note that there are prerequisite and probably numerous other requirements associated to this, and you'll have to be in the realm of organized crime to actually take advantage of this exploit...imagine the amount of funds you need to tie up for three months in order to get ONE credit card...

Banks are in the business of making money. How often do you hear banks go bankrupt?

Read up on banking history.
 

Parasitic

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2002
4,000
2
0
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: Parasitic
Also, those of you worrying about BoA losing tons of money on this, I believe you're worrying way too much...also on the issue of identity theft note that there are prerequisite and probably numerous other requirements associated to this, and you'll have to be in the realm of organized crime to actually take advantage of this exploit...imagine the amount of funds you need to tie up for three months in order to get ONE credit card...

Banks are in the business of making money. How often do you hear banks go bankrupt?

Read up on banking history.

Name one bank that's gotten bankrupt in the past month.
Then imagine how many more businesses go bankrupt within that same period of time.

edit: the point is that in relative terms banks are a lot more stable businesses than others.
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Originally posted by: Parasitic
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: Parasitic
Also, those of you worrying about BoA losing tons of money on this, I believe you're worrying way too much...also on the issue of identity theft note that there are prerequisite and probably numerous other requirements associated to this, and you'll have to be in the realm of organized crime to actually take advantage of this exploit...imagine the amount of funds you need to tie up for three months in order to get ONE credit card...

Banks are in the business of making money. How often do you hear banks go bankrupt?

Read up on banking history.

Name one bank that's gotten bankrupt in the past month.
Then imagine how many more businesses go bankrupt within that same period of time.

::sigh::

Apples and oranges my friend. Just because banks don't go bankrupt at the rate other business do doesn't mean it doesn't happen, and looking at the huge banking scares we've had in US history is evidence enough that it does happen. While it's improbable for a bank as large as BoA (especially with the whole "too big to fail" policy), it does occur, especially with smaller local banks.
 

kami333

Diamond Member
Dec 12, 2001
5,110
2
76
Originally posted by: Parasitic
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: Parasitic
Also, those of you worrying about BoA losing tons of money on this, I believe you're worrying way too much...also on the issue of identity theft note that there are prerequisite and probably numerous other requirements associated to this, and you'll have to be in the realm of organized crime to actually take advantage of this exploit...imagine the amount of funds you need to tie up for three months in order to get ONE credit card...

Banks are in the business of making money. How often do you hear banks go bankrupt?

Read up on banking history.

Name one bank that's gotten bankrupt in the past month.
Then imagine how many more businesses go bankrupt within that same period of time.

edit: the point is that in relative terms banks are a lot more stable businesses than others.

Metropolitan Savings in PA (technically was not bankrupt yet but they probably would have been soon)
 

sierrita

Senior member
Mar 24, 2002
929
0
0
Good news for B of A.


"In recent years, banks across the country have been offering checking accounts and even mortgages to the nation?s fast-growing ranks of undocumented immigrants, most of whom are Hispanic, the paper said, adding these immigrants generally have not been able to get major credit cards."


So B.F.D. More purchasing power, FTW.


:wine:


 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Originally posted by: Gibson486
what happens if you do not pay (too lazy to read article...)?

Not enough info in their article. Best bet would be checking out the website.
 

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
2
0
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: Gibson486
what happens if you do not pay (too lazy to read article...)?

Not enough info in their article. Best bet would be checking out the website.

Maybe I can get the grant that my school has been denying me;)