Can we use IRS Tax ID to open Bank Account/ Apply for Secured Credit Card

K

kannegan

Registered Users (C)
Hi,
Recently my wife (H4 visa) got her Tax Identification Number. We went to bank and opened an account using that number. At that time they didn't say any. They have checked the Credit History (Which is nothing) and Check Systems etc....They have issued the account numbers, checks. But when I was trying to open a secure Credit Card to my wife in the same bank at different department, they rejected our request. They told me that we can't use the Tax Id to open an account (either Bank Account or Credit Card). But they didn't cancel the Savings/Checking account. As I am expecting my GC in 3-4 months, my wife may be after a year, is it okay to use Tax ID as SSN. I think my wife may get the SSN after she got the GC. How can she change it later from Tax ID to SSN. Please suggest me. I will really appreciate you guys time.

Thanks,
Sunil
 
Originally posted by kannegan
Hi,
Recently my wife (H4 visa) got her Tax Identification Number. We went to bank and opened an account using that number. At that time they didn't say any. They have checked the Credit History (Which is nothing) and Check Systems etc....They have issued the account numbers, checks. But when I was trying to open a secure Credit Card to my wife in the same bank at different department, they rejected our request. They told me that we can't use the Tax Id to open an account (either Bank Account or Credit Card). But they didn't cancel the Savings/Checking account. As I am expecting my GC in 3-4 months, my wife may be after a year, is it okay to use Tax ID as SSN. I think my wife may get the SSN after she got the GC. How can she change it later from Tax ID to SSN. Please suggest me. I will really appreciate you guys time.

Thanks,
Sunil
Click to expand...
I don't know why you have this problem but my wife (who was on H4 until we got our GC) had ITIN and had credit cards (unsecured) in her name obtained using ITIN. She also had many bank/investment accocunts and was never questioned about the ITIN.
 
Hi nkm-oct23,
Thanks for your reply. I will check with the bank people again. Can you please tell me, how can my wife change the TID to SSN after she get our GC. Thanks again for your time.

Thanks,
Sunil
 
Your spouse can try using your SSN. This was a trick suggested to us by our bank officer back in 2001. That way you both of you build up a credit history.
Of course, the downside is in a couple of years, your mailbox is flooded with duplicate credit card applications :)
 
Thanks ficapls!
After i requested the Bank Office again, my wife got her Credit Card (Secured). Thanks for all you guys help!

Thanks,
Sunil
 
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