Local bank confirms security number not required. The social security number or any other security number.

[Update: this page now has a YouTube version.] A local bank confirmed a security number is not required for a bank account; meaning the ‘social’ security number or any other security number. But rather than just walk in and bring a print-out of the gov’t website stating a security number is not required, I sent […]

Signature-card of bank tries to Shanghai me into U.S. jurisdiction

The bank signature-card–to provide a signature when opening an account–can place one into the U.S. jurisdiction. The form prominently assumes ‘U.S. citizen’ or other ‘U.S. Person’ status. Only in de-emphasized print, below the U.S. citizen area, is there a note for non-resident alien depositors (that’s me!) and that I should instead complete the W-8 form […]