Banks, governments use Patriot Act to show us who is boss

My wife went to a local bank to open an account and put in some money. The bank dude wanted to see her Florida driver license. She did not have one, but she did have her Arkansas license and military dependent ID card. Not good enough, the bank dude said. He would have to see a photo ID, plus proof of Florida residence. “It’s part of the Patriot Act,” he said.

My thought: So if somebody wanted to deposit $1 million in that bank, the clerk would say “Sorry” if the potential depositor could not prove Florida residence? And, how come we never had to do than when banking in Texas and Arkansas?

Monday afternoon my wife went to the Tax Collector office to get her Florida license and vehicle plates. She had everything listed on the state web site – photo ID, proof of residence, proof of insurance and birth certificate. The license person noted her birth certificate name was not the same as her now name. “How did you get the last name Merriman?” asked the clerk. My wife replied, “I married my husband 42 years ago.” Clerk: “Do you have a copy of your marriage license?” My wife: “No, I do not. I have an Arkansas driver license with my maiden name and married name. I have a Social Security card, and I have a military ID card.” Said the clerk: “You have to have a marriage license.” My wife: “Is that a Florida law?” Clerk: “It’s part of the Patriot Act. It’s the law everywhere.” My wife: “I never had to show my marriage license in Texas or Arkansas.” Clerk: “Well, some states have opted out.”

And, a week ago, medical admin people said my brother-in-law John could not get treatment unless he had a picture ID. “It’s part of the Patriot Act.”

If the Patriot Act does require picture ID for every transaction and a marriage license, then let’s not have any opt out. Make every state follow the federal law. Make everybody show picture ID for everything. Then stand back and listen to the wailing and gnashing of teeth.


“Under Section 326 of the Patriot Act, banks must have a customer identification program or CIP. …

“Banks must use several documents to verify customers’ identification. Identification information includes the customer's name, date of birth, address and ID number. For U.S. citizens, the identification number is their taxpayer ID number, which is their Social Security number. … CIPs vary from bank to bank, but banks may also require a driver’s license or other form of photo identification for individuals or articles of incorporation, government issued business license, partnership agreement or trust instrument for businesses.”

http://www.ehow.com/list_6812342_patriot-requirements-opening-bank-account.html

Banks “may also require …” May, not will or shall or are required. So when a teller says “It’s the Patriot Act,” he or she is stating what a supervisor said. Also, it is quite likely many upper management and supervisory people don’t know Patriot Act requirements and simply repeat what they have heard or what they think.

The more people demand collective security, the less individual security we have.

The law requires: name, address, date of birth and “other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents.”

http://www2.gtlaw.com/pub/alerts/2003/fornarisc_05.asp

Still, a bank teller is not correct when saying “It’s the Patriot Act.”

And, no, my p. off won’t change anything, but a few hundred p offs might make local changes.,