Posts by wiredlynx28

bluecyclist64 said:Fine, if you want to be a spineless follower, that’s your prerogative. But I don't think you have any right to criticize people who refuse to hand over their private lives to total strangers when there is absolutely no necessity for it.

A bank needs my full name, my address, my email or phone number, and my Social Security number—that's the extent of it. Sure, they can know I'm not a US citizen and that I couldn't care less about the USA.

Everything else is strictly my own business and none of their concern.

To get ahead of the inevitable "smart" questions: everything I just listed (aside from my citizenship status) is exactly what my bank knows about me. They haven't asked for anything beyond that.

I don't know which bank you're using, but every institution operates under its own terms of service. Just because one isn't mandatory at your bank doesn't mean it isn't required at another. At the end of the day, they set the rules and decide what's necessary, not you as the client.
That said, a client chooses who they do business with, just as a bank chooses when to terminate a relationship (for whatever reason they see fit).

The best move is simply to stick with a bank where you’re actually satisfied and everything runs smoothly.
As for this one? It feels more like they're just playing games with client funds. Half the people I know are drowning in debt and struggling to make ends meet, so this experience is quite the opposite of what a decent institution should provide.

Maybe I won't do it on purpose, because honestly, it’s just childish to expect everything to be handed to you on a silver platter. I simply stated my position and called for total transparency regarding the information.
If I was able to track down the data for Chase or Wells Fargo, then anyone else should have no problem digging up the same details for any other bank they choose. 👍
Every single bank maintains its own specific terms and conditions.

Joseph Watson3 said:This host is a textbook example of a low-level bureaucrat with absolutely nothing going on behind those eyes.
The whole thing was supposedly meant to show kids the potential downsides of different career paths. 😁

Gather all the frustrated users here, hit them with some extra questions, and let's start a movement together.🍿

Steven Rivera76 said:Exactly. Sure, we can switch banks if we aren't happy. But since using a bank is basically a legal necessity and we pay for the service, there should be some level of equality in the relationship. A bank shouldn't be allowed to implement internal rules that screw us over or bypass the law—like this whole nonsense regarding data collection in Zabiti.

Joe, for wiredlynx28, "proof" just means "because she said so and she knows best." We haven't seen anything more substantial than that on this thread. :/

So, you actually sat down, read the bank's Terms and Conditions, filled out the Chase client data questionnaire, and went through the invoice disclosure? Impressive.
If things still don't make sense after all that legwork, feel free to hit up the bank's customer service line or their support email. I'm sure their polite representatives will clear up any confusion for you. Once you finally grasp what's mandatory and why, come back here—I’d love to hear your take once you actually understand the legal basis for everything. 🙂
In case you missed it, I posted the Chase Terms and Conditions a few posts ago. 👍

briskjackal5 said:... Because, I guess, a branch manager isn't really considered part of the main bank headquarters and might not be fully in the loop... 😁

-Steve

I already told you: here in the States, certain follow-up questions aren't mandatory right now.
It’s simple logic. Just like I could search Google for general terms and conditions and copy them, you can easily look up the questionnaires, regulations, and standard operating procedures for whatever bank you're looking at.

I’m not pointing fingers at any one individual here; I’m just speaking in generalities 👍

Do some digging online first. If you’re still feeling lost, just hit up your bank via email—they'll give you the most reliable answer. 👍

vividranger8 said:Well, let's just wait and see, shall we? Because honestly, where on any actual bank's website does it clearly state something like:

1. these are mandatory details required because the federal government is forcing our hand
2. these are mandatory details just because we decided we want them
3. these are optional details we're asking for because we're curious about you, but feel free to skip them if you don't feel like sharing

Where is that actually written? Not for a single bank out there, for that matter—so, yeah, "transparent." It's a rhetorical question, really, since we already know the answer.

When you walk into a bank, just ask for their client questionnaire. You'll see clearly marked what's mandatory and what's elective, along with specific citations stating why certain info is required under statute 👍
.
Then there are those people who get all worked up and attack the bank, only to have their checking account closed immediately.
A quick copy-paste from the General Terms and Conditions:
The Bank reserves the discretionary right to refuse a Client's request to establish any business relationship with the Bank without explanation.

It works the same way when they terminate a relationship without explanation. Then clients jump to their own conclusions—thinking it was because of an "optional" question that was actually mandatory, etc.—all without actually looking up the facts. They can sever a business relationship for various reasons, most commonly because
- the Client provided false or inaccurate personal data, or other information necessary for the proper and lawful provision of services when signing the checking account contract or a specific additional service contract;
- the Client's account activity damages the Bank's reputation;
- the Bank is unable to perform due diligence measures in accordance with the provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act;
- the Client acts contrary to the mandatory regulations of the United States and societal morals.
Upon termination of the checking account contract, the Client and any authorized representatives are required to return all cards and other instruments or documents received from the Bank related to the checking account. Furthermore, the Client is obligated to settle all outstanding obligations regarding the checking account, including interest and fees.

And for those claiming they were wronged by questions regarding children and such—did you even file a formal grievance?
Another copy-paste from the bank's terms:
If a Client believes their rights in a business relationship with the Bank have been violated or that their Account has been unfairly charged, they are authorized and obligated to submit a written grievance to the Bank without delay via mail to the business address, fax, or email, or by delivering it to a bank branch, clearly marking it as a grievance. Bank employees will forward the grievance to the competent department for dispute resolution. The grievance must include a detailed description of the event/situation as well as evidence demonstrating the grounds for the Client's claim. If the description or evidence is incomplete, the Bank may request that the Client supplement the grievance. The bodies conducting the grievance resolution process and their authorities are governed by Bank policies.

rowdypilot19 said:Are you being serious right now, or just joking?

I mean, how does it make sense that some famous guy—someone who we know for a fact cleared over $20 million net, and honestly, he's such a cheapskate too—gets slapped with a massive tax penalty just because he spent maybe $2 or $3 million in a single year? Like, that's money he probably made years ago... so why would they care?

They just want to collect their cut; control is the whole point.
Nowadays, there's a tax on pretty much everything.
If you have legally earned cash sitting overseas, you're required to declare anything over $10,000 whenever you cross the border, including the equivalent value of any other currencies.

Look, providing info about children is strictly optional, so there's no requirement there.
Everything should be completely transparent at any major US bank—you can find all the data, disclaimers, and general terms of service right online.
And regarding the cancellation policy, I didn't just pull that out of thin air; it's clearly listed in the bank's online database.

@ briskjackal5

I’ll say this: personally, I find fingerprinting to be a much more intimate and private matter than asking about children. But if you see it differently, hey, everyone has their own preferences.👍

@ briskjackal5

It’s absolutely comparable.
To me, a fingerprint is an intensely private matter; I wouldn't just hand that over without a second thought.
If your analogy leads you to believe this is pointless, then clearly a fingerprint isn't as vital to you as knowing whether someone has children or not.
That’s some serious nonsense, honestly. 🙂

I don't see why it's so hard to grasp that a bank operates under its own internal policies in addition to federal regulations.
If you aren't comfortable sharing that data, then don't share it and just move on.

feraljackal2 said:I honestly think the real issue here is the government—they just haven't stepped up to handle their own responsibilities properly. This whole FATCA Questionnaire mess should have been managed at the federal level, through the IRS or whatever agency handles anti-money laundering compliance. If they really wanted cooperation, they could just freeze accounts or block things like tax refunds and vehicle registrations until people comply. Then everyone would be rushing to finish the paperwork—but instead, we have everyone taking their frustrations out on bank tellers? It’s not fair to lash out at employees who are just doing their jobs; they don't care about anyone's personal life, but they have to ask those specific questions because it's on the form. Some of these questions feel incredibly blunt—almost ridiculous—like asking if you've ever even thought about terrorism, but hey, if that's what the higher-ups demand, that's what you get.

Exactly. 👍

briskjackal5 said:I don't think there's really any comparison between how authorization works and the questions you're bringing up here. 😁

Your reply doesn't make much sense without actually having that data.

You didn't even really address vividranger8's post, to be honest. 😁

-briskjackal5

To authorize something via fingerprint, you need an actual fingerprint, right?
And if they refuse to provide info about their children, I guarantee the fingerprint will easily 🤣

briskjackal5 said:So, what does that Questionnaire actually look like?
What exactly falls under the "mandatory" category here?
And where, specifically, in the disclaimer does it mention marketing and sales—you know, the part mentioned in the (quoted!) vividranger8's post?
Why is it that they just tack on those famous little "purpose-specific" addendums requiring consent right alongside FATCA and the Directives? 😁

-briskjackal5

Just ask the bank.
The stuff about marketing and other fluff is just simple yes or no questions at the very end of the Questionnaire.
If a client is confused, they should always ask for help. They shouldn't just wing it based on some "I think I've got this" attitude—usually, people act like they know everything when they really don't, and they end up being wrong.

And then you have the people complaining about being asked if they have kids. Just wait until fingerprint-secured cards become the standard—technology that’s already being rolled out in the modern world where a client physically holds the card against a sensor during a transaction to authorize it. When that happens, they'll be the ones leading the revolution. 🤣

vividranger8 said:Oh, sure! Like they're actually gonna sit there and tell a client, "Hey, we're using your data to build a profile on you just so we can target you with more ads and sell you more services"? Yeah, right... I'd love to see them try that one.

In the client Questionnaire, there's a consent section with a yes/no option where you specify whether you want your data used for marketing purposes or not, etc.

Direct copy from JPMorgan Chase:
Personal data listed in this Questionnaire (hereinafter: Data) is collected and processed by JPMorgan Chase (Bank) for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the client's business relationship with the Bank and, additionally, if the Data is collected for the needs of establishing and maintaining a business relationship with another party, for the needs of that other party (e.g., Goldman Sachs, etc.). Accordingly, the term "data controller" in the following section of this Questionnaire refers to the Bank and any other party for whose needs the Bank collects the Data.
Data from specific points in this Questionnaire is collected and processed based on:
a) The Bank Secrecy Act and its implementing regulations, for the purpose of performing
enhanced due diligence on the client and fulfilling obligations arising from said regulations (Data from points 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Questionnaire),
b) OFAC regulations and European Union decisions regarding the application of international restrictive measures and their implementing regulations, for the purpose of fulfilling obligations arising from said regulations (Data from points 1, 3, 4, and 5 of the Questionnaire), c) The General Tax Code and/or other tax regulations, for the purpose of fulfilling enhanced due diligence obligations and the data controller's reporting obligations
to tax authorities (Data from points 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Questionnaire),
d) Client consent provided by signing the Questionnaire for the purpose of enhanced due diligence and the data controller's reporting obligations
to tax authorities in accordance with the agreement between the USA and America regarding the improvement of international tax compliance and the implementation of FATCA (hereinafter: FATCA) and Directive 2014/107 EU amending Directive 2011/16 EU regarding mandatory automatic exchange of information in the field of taxation (Directive 2014/107 EU) (data from points 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Questionnaire).
The client may request to review their Data and correct inaccurate Data via written notice or by visiting a branch in person.
In cases where specific Data is processed for a specific purpose based on client consent, the client may withdraw that consent by notifying the data controller in writing or by visiting a branch in person. Except for Data specified in this Questionnaire as non-mandatory, all other Data is required so that the data controller can fulfill legal and regulatory obligations and establish a business relationship with the client. If a client refuses to provide mandatory Data or provides inaccurate information, the data controller may refuse to establish a business relationship or terminate an existing business relationship with the client.

vividranger8 said:Looking at those European Union laws coming into effect soon:

Data controllers are required to inform you when they collect personal data about you. You have the right to know the name of the controller, what the processing is going to be used for...

Man, I am seriously curious to see how banks are going to justify asking for your college degree or even how many kids you have... 🙄

Look, the bank just informs you exactly what type of data they need and why, then you simply check a box to say whether you consent or not. 👍

For the hundredth time, they can ask these questions if their internal policies mandate that specific Questionnaire, but it’s ultimately up to the client whether they want to provide that info. If they refuse—and if it's mandatory—the bank won't open the checking account, period. They can just go to another bank that doesn't require it. Simple as that.

If the terms of service state that the client questionnaire is mandatory, then it’s non-negotiable.
If someone isn't on board with that, they can just take their business elsewhere.