Why am I not able to obtain a credit card in the US?
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at
12:13 am
l0st asked:
I have been told by a credit card company (MBNA) that they cannot process my application as the Patriot Act requires they obtain a Social Security Number from anyone wishing to apply and I am not a US citizen (I am a British Citizen.) Where does it say this in the Act? And why can banks offer similar services to those without SSNs?
Is this not discrimination, by national origin, under the Equal Credit Opporunity Act?
I have been told by a credit card company (MBNA) that they cannot process my application as the Patriot Act requires they obtain a Social Security Number from anyone wishing to apply and I am not a US citizen (I am a British Citizen.) Where does it say this in the Act? And why can banks offer similar services to those without SSNs?
Is this not discrimination, by national origin, under the Equal Credit Opporunity Act?
Filed under: Credit
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They probably want a SSN because if you default it will be easier to find you.
it is really crucial to have a SSN if you plan on getting a credit card in the US. better try international credit cards. you’ll have a better chance of getting one if you are financially stable.
The whole point of it is to track all forieng bank accounts and activities …… you could always get a birtish card or just go home.
It’s not discrimination by national origin. If you became a U.S. citizen and they declined you because you were originally from Britain, you could make that argument. Many banks, including the one I work for, will only lend to citizens or PRAs (permanent resident aliens) because of the risk of default. If you were to default on a loan from a U.S. Bank and then went back to Britain, it would be extremely unlikely the bank could recoup its loss. Some banks will lend to you if you obtain a TIN but, as they are designated “for work purposes only,” it is a hit-or-miss chance. Sorry.