Had my first experience with the Patriot Act.
ex-roommate and I went to run a few errands and I thought I'd set up a no fee checking account at the local bank by the store.
They asked for my id. I gave it to them. They asked for a major credit card. Nope. Passport. Nope. Kept requesting items I don't have.
My SS card was not good according to the patriot act. My voter registration card, no good. My phone bill, my birth certificate, nothing I had was worthy of the patriot act.
I asked why I needed a credit card and the guy nervously laughed at me that the government requires it in order to prove identity. They don't write down your credit card number or anything so why do they need to know I have one?
So they know who you are he said.
But you have my id, my ss and my birth certificate.
Don't you have a worker id card?
No. What the hell is that? I have never in my life had to have a worker id card. I'm a US citizen. What the hell would I need one of those for?
To prove you are who you say you are.
Look, I said, the government knows who I am. When I work, I pay taxes, I have been paying into SS since I was 15, I file my taxes every year. Trust me, they know who I am.
But we comply with the patriot act and they require these items.
I asked him, what exactly complying with the act entails in regards to financial institutions.
So they can see who you are he said.
So they can access my bank records I said.
Yes he said laughing nervously.
That's a little Orwellian I said.
He looked at me like I was nuts and maybe I am but I don't feel that the government should have access to my records of my piddly little checking account. I was born and raised here. I am a citizen born and bred.
The patriot act gives them the right to access so much information about us at anytime, for any reason.
He said the patriot act is designed for privacy. I asked him then why they would need to know I have a credit card but not ask for the numbers?
It's about stopping terrorists he said.
I said I know but when a us citizen has all the identification that was required just 2 years ago and it was good enough then, why the hell is it not good enough now?
Because they need to know more he said.
Then they can come ask me I said and I gathered up my ids and left.
I value my privacy. The government knows far too much about me already.
They, due to my circumstances, already know my medical history, my birth history, whether or not I have a bank account, if I own a vehicle and so on and so on. They don't need to just know if I have a credit card for the sake of simply knowing.
Am I a good consumer? Do I have a good credit score? Am I credit worthy?
Am I buying weapons with my credit card? Am I learning how to fly planes and charging the classes to my card?
I'm just a little irritated, feel free to ignore this.
It will only make sense I'm sure to people who feel that the patriot act is just wrong.
I'll just keep my money in a can again. Fuck it.
Comments
i agree with you kat. i think it's ridiculous that they require all that shit, especially a credit card. not everyone has a credit card. the banks up here don't require that shit, at least not that i know of.
people suck.
Posted by: grodi girl | July 7, 2004 10:09 PM
I agree with you. It is just insane that they want you to have a credit card, to open up a checking account. Privacy my ass. That sucks big time. If they ever start that shit-where I am from, I will just keep my money in a can. Fuck it, the money is probably safer in a can anyway.
Posted by: whinnymay | July 7, 2004 10:30 PM
That is complete bullshit. Are you willing to try another bank? They can't all require credit cards, many people don't have them, and don't want them. Oh that pisses me off to no end, I can't imagine how frustrated it must make you.
Posted by: karri | July 7, 2004 10:58 PM
God, what a crock. Like terrorists don't use credit cards...sheesh!
Posted by: kim | July 8, 2004 3:11 AM
Eh, that may not have made really good sense. But I would think it would be easier to get a bogus credit card than it would be a bogus official government document, such as SS, Drivers license or ID, or birth certificat.
Posted by: kim | July 8, 2004 3:17 AM
YOU ARE SO RIGHT!!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!!
Posted by: Mom | July 8, 2004 7:50 AM
Hi ya, Kat. You must look so like a terrorist....
I haven't run headlong into The Patriot Act yet but I'm sure that day is coming.
You're right...F*CK 'EM (keep your money in a coffee can or under the mattress)....
Posted by: Colin | July 8, 2004 8:16 AM
Yes Colin. I look like a terrorist. I just don't agree with these rules taht allow them this much freedom over my information.
Posted by: kat | July 8, 2004 9:51 AM
Exactly Kim. My ex-mother in law has credit cards in my name. She is not me but she was able to get them in my name.
Posted by: kat | July 8, 2004 9:56 AM
Karri, but all banks now comply withe the act. Check the privacy policy on yours. I bet it now says that they comply wit the act. It's a federal law.
Posted by: kat | July 8, 2004 9:58 AM
That is such a crock of shit I can't believe it. My ex-b/f hated banks so much that he used to swear he'd keep his money buried in a can in the backyard. Except to GET the money... you need a bank account to cash the cheque!!!
As for the Privacy Act... they already know all about you and everyone else. Where does the word "privacy" come into this?
Oh, and that guy? He prolly didn't know who Orwell was.
Posted by: Terry | July 8, 2004 2:05 PM
I don't think he knew who Orwell was either.
Posted by: kat | July 8, 2004 8:15 PM
That is such a crock of BS. I just went to a bank like 2 months ago and opened a new account ( couldn't stand my old bank any longer) and they did not ask for all of that stuff....I don't have a Credit Card because My aunt messed up my credit anyway. But all they asked me for was my drivers license and my SS card. I think thats all they need...you can be traced by your SS card anyway....besides when did a Credit card become a form of ID? Escpecially with Identity theft on the rise???? There is no picture on it? GEESH
Posted by: sunfairy | July 8, 2004 9:16 PM
what a pile of shite! but that's Amore-ica for ya. yeesh! sorry that sux, must have been frustrating as hell. GRRRR! all i have to say is:
NOVEMBER 2nd. i drove through 3 hours of sleet after lving work early to vote against Bush. fuck him, he doesn't need to know if I have a credit card or not. dirty bastards ;)
take care!!!
peace,
j
Posted by: jase | July 8, 2004 10:05 PM
Well, I just did a little digging on compliance in regards to financial institutions and they do NOT require a credit card. I am calling the bank tomorrow and bitch them out.
Posted by: kat | July 8, 2004 11:30 PM
I just did a little digging and needless to say, I am calling thatr bank back tomorrow. I am pissed off.
Posted by: kat | July 8, 2004 11:32 PM
OMG..now this is scaring the bejeezus out of me. I need to open a separate account for my Mary Kay business, but if the bank gives me shit over not having credit, I can't do so.
We'll see how it goes with my bank.
Posted by: Christine | July 9, 2004 3:37 AM
Well, from what I have been gathering from most of my commenter's, is that this practice is not yet taking place in other parts of the country yet. So go do it now...lol
Posted by: kat | July 9, 2004 7:56 AM
Blah .... I'm moving to Canada.
Posted by: squishybear | July 12, 2004 10:50 AM