David Garcia21 said:Take a look at the FEC's ruling on NGOs copying each other. It’s all just a show—it doesn't even matter if banks were involved or not.
They aren't wrong—only the people doing business with that Bank have any skin in the game. They can ask whatever they want, but you have every right to stay silent if you feel they're overstepping. They have their interpretation of the law, and you have yours. If there's a fight, let the FEC, the Federal Reserve, or eventually a judge decide who's actually right. 👍
If you don't have zero income or nothing to report, just put "do." $2.75(Or whatever number happens to be there). That includes... $0.00 🙂 Forget what the Bank says. You clearly know better than they do. Don't listen to them. ☕
The whole argument started because the Bank claims this data is mandatory and that the law forces them to collect it. From our perspective, a few of us think that's just wrong, so we're trying to fight it through higher authorities. It isn't about us specifically (I guess most of us have already left Zaba anyway), it's more about doing a service for society, you know? Like, forcing Banks to actually follow the law. Maybe it's just a symbolic thing that doesn't matter much, but if every citizen got involved in these little "details," they might be surprised by how much could actually be fixed.
They have the right to ask whatever they want.
Well, it's not really about what they can ask, it's that they're citing a non-existent section of the Law and claiming an obligation that simply isn't there. If they had just asked the questions without telling people they were legally required to answer—you know, making it clear the response was voluntary—then no big deal. Or, more accurately, they should have specified it was regarding income tied to their business. But no, Banks are just too comfortable and don't care about collateral damage. They act this way because, I guess, nobody seems to complain. Though, if you compare the questionnaire from a couple of years ago to this one, you'll see there has been some progress.
Look, you have the right to not answer anything you feel violates your rights. They have their interpretation of the law, and you have yours. Who's right? Well, maybe the FEC, the Federal Reserve, or eventually, a court will decide.
Of course, but why does it feel like a few of you are mocking those of us trying to actually do something about it? I'm just reporting here on the stances taken by the FEC, the Federal Reserve, and all that—I don't see why that would bother anyone, I guess.
And no, the Bank still hasn't offered its own interpretation of the Law. Not even after more than a year. If a Bank avoids answering a question by responding to something else entirely, that isn't "interpreting the law"—it's just dodging the question. I have copies of the whole correspondence, and looking at the question versus the answer... I honestly wonder how someone can act so clueless. And I wonder why the Federal Reserve is being so slow. It's almost sad to read how the Federal Reserve claims the FEC is responsible, while the FEC says it's the Federal Reserve. Oh, and the Federal Reserve also claims the Police Department handles FATCA, but I won't even mention FATCA right now because the Bank has sort of backed down in the meantime. Once you go through something like this, it becomes pretty clear why things are the way they are in America.
Also, I don't know about your experience, but mine is that people are pretty intimidated by Banks. Especially those planning to buy a home or a car and knowing they'll need a loan soon. People are scared of getting on a "black list," whether it's from a Bank or the government. Everything boils down to "whatever, I don't want to make enemies." Things have improved slightly since people started banding together and hiring lawyers, but I guess that general fear of Banks is still around.
If you don't have zero income or "no income," maybe just write "up to $2.75" (or whatever number is listed there). Even if it includes $0.00 🙂. And honestly, just ignore what the Bank says. I mean, you probably know better than they do anyway. Don't listen to them.
But how does that actually help stop the Bank from extorting data on other clients they shouldn't even have access to? I'm not sure if you've really grasped why we're even arguing with banks here. I get the impression you think this is just about me or a friend trying to hide our income, but that's not really the point at all. It's more about the fact that when you see someone cutting corners or ignoring the law and hurting everyone else, you should be able to actually do something about it.