Abuse of an IRS Form

[BobKamman]

A couple clients have received Form W-9 from Chase Bank, asking for their SSN.  These people do not have accounts at the bank that would generate a 1099, which is the only legitimate purpose for using the W-9.  Instead they have credit card accounts, opened by one spouse with another card for the other whose SSN is missing.  I think in both cases, the credit card account was opened before the marriage.  If the bank thinks it needs the SSN, that's fine.  But the W-9 is not the way to ask for it. 

One client went to the bank and asked a manager why they were using an IRS form.  "That's just the form we use," she was told.  

[rbynaker]

Been there, done that.  I called Chase (the number on the letter matched the one one the website).  They couldn't help me and suggested I go to a local branch and talk to a branch manager (who would have more permissions.)  The branch manager could see that there was a credit card account open without an SSN on it but he was unable to get the SSN to stick.  He offered the help me fill out the W-9 and mail it to the credit card people.  I told him I wasn't going to bother, if they want to disable the credit card I've had for 27 years, I'd be happy to get a new one from a different bank.

[sjrcpa]

I went into a PNC branch the other day to make a large, for me, cash withdrawal. 

They asked for my ID - OK I was prepared for that- and my Debit Card. Weird but I presented it.

Then I was informed that they didn't have a signature card on file for me. Did I open this account over the internet? No, I opened it about 40 years ago at a branch 1/2 a block away when it was XYZ local bank.It's merged several times since then.  A few years ago PNC confessed they didn't have a signature card on file so they gave me the paperwork and I filled out and submitted it. 

Now I'm supposed to call ahead and they will have signature card paperwork ready for me. Yeah, right. Not my problem that your records are bad. I can move my account if you want to make it my problem. I note they have no problem processing any checks I write or deposit.

I did get my money after about 10 minutes. Actually it was more like 30 minutes. I had another appointment and ran out of time to complete the other end of this transaction that morning.