In a message dated 6/9/2005 5:58:28 A.M. Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I find what you describe as simply amazing - anyone can walk in with someone's name, address and SS number and open bank accounts, take loans, get a driver's licence, etc. I think the system you describe is irresponsible, and not the Bank. As a Bank Teller in my early working life, I am simply horrified that in the USA a person can simply waltz in and open an account with simply an SS number and no verification of the identity. Banks and other large businesses that want to stay in business follow all our national, state, and local regulations to the letter. Our system is indeed irresponsible in many ways, and businesses typically only do the minimum which is legally required. But things are tightening up. I opened a bank account one year ago in Illinois, and was required to show a photo ID, my Social Security number, and at least one document "proving" my new home address was in Illinois. The bank accepted as proof of residence a utility bill (electricity, telephone, water, trash pickup, etc.) mailed to my home. Some of these changes were no doubt brought about by 9/11. On the other hand (cynics take heart), fake photo IDs and other such "proofs" are not difficult to acquire. Bill Fairchild ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
