Social Security Numbers and US Credit Cards
Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.
Dear Bird Talk,
Like many snowbirds, I often get asked for my social security number (SSN) for financial purposes, such as applying for credit cards. In particular, AMEX will not provide a card unless I provide an SSN, and I particularly want an AMEX card because it is the only one Costco accepts. (I could use my Canadian AMEX card, but they will add 2.5% to my purchases to service the currency exchange.) It was suggested that I get an IRS taxpayer identification number (TIN), but the IRS website states clearly that one should not apply for a TIN only for identification purposes and that one must submit a U.S. tax return with the application. This doesn’t seem to be a desirable alternative. I would be interested in other solutions that people have found.
Maureen Stewart
Ontario
Response:
Ed: So would I.
