Remit2india wants my scanned ssn copy [Archive]

spark_m

01-12-2009, 01:56 PM

ita

01-12-2009, 02:09 PM

As far as I know they have nothing to do with SSN. Tell them for security reasons you can't disclose your ssn.

May be other members here who use the service can give more suggestions.

LostInGCProcess

01-12-2009, 02:10 PM

Hi
I'v used remit2india services for more than 5 years...transferring money every now and then. In the last year I transferred 15000USD, in december they started askine me for a scanned copy of my US social card, and have suspended my account till I provide that to them....I am sceptical. I provided my ssn to them when they initially wanteed to verify my account 5 years back,why would they want it again, and this time a scanned copy? Is it legally safe for me to give this to them? Can they even ask for this?

Thanks,

If you don't trust them, don't give the SSN photocopy. I never came across any banks or any other financial institution asking for SSN photocopy.

I'd recommend you send thru SBI, which is a nationalized bank and it feels much safer, faster and free.
this is the link: http://www.onlinesbi.com/glsus/

I had bad experience with ICICI...so, I don't recommend that bank either.

good Day!

snakesrocks

01-12-2009, 02:15 PM

Hi
I'v used remit2india services for more than 5 years...transferring money every now and then. In the last year I transferred 15000USD, in december they started askine me for a scanned copy of my US social card, and have suspended my account till I provide that to them....I am sceptical. I provided my ssn to them when they initially wanteed to verify my account 5 years back,why would they want it again, and this time a scanned copy? Is it legally safe for me to give this to them? Can they even ask for this?

Thanks,

I had my account suspended. When I called the customer service they told me to send a scanned copy of my SSN. I did that through email. Till now my account suspension has not been lifted. I get calls every day from them to remit money and offer me 2 paise more for exchange rate. I told my account is suspended and I could not remit money.

I stopped using them and using HDFC, who give a better rate and service.

pointlesswait

01-12-2009, 02:30 PM

i think its a potential redflag..

i got an email from SBI last week..
SBI now has a tieup with Bank of America.. where in..if you deposite the check into a BOA account.. they will remit the money in 2 days flat.. in ur indian account..

If you don't trust them, don't give the SSN photocopy. I never came across any banks or any other financial institution asking for SSN photocopy.

I'd recommend you send thru SBI, which is a nationalized bank and it feels much safer, faster and free.
this is the link: http://www.onlinesbi.com/glsus/

I had bad experience with ICICI...so, I don't recommend that bank either.

good Day!

spark_m

01-12-2009, 02:34 PM

Yes i thought it was a redflag too....expecially since they have my details for the past 5 years.
When I called them to ask they said since the mumbai blasts they have been given orders by the government to verify everyones social...so i said that for this you wouldnt need a scanned copy, they said no we need it for this n that....

anyways, this really needs to be reported to the RBI...dont u think?

div_bell_2003

01-12-2009, 02:35 PM

Yes, it is a potential red flag, I'd avoid any bank asking for my scanned SSN copy like plague. I use SBI remit services, so far they are true to their promise as far the exchange rates go.

HawaldarNaik

01-12-2009, 02:40 PM

The problem with dealing with these India based agencies is that initially they will try to be sweet and friendly though you always know something drastic is comming soon
The reason being once they know that this is a desi they will start acting crooked asking for paper work, details, ssn even down to what is the color of your chaddeee :)
Even after providing all these details u can be rest assured that service will not be up to the mark
we just cant get ourselves to be professional enough so that we do our work based on merit.....on one hand we see the Satyam fiasco...absolute lack of professionalism and good governance...on the other we have outstanding individuals like Rahman who win Golden globes

now we have to hope that the outstanding individuals dont go and become another Ramalingam Raju....but create a team and workforce of people who have very high integrity and honesty...come on we do have abundance of talent...just need to realize and beleive in it...and not start getting crooked at any stage...come what may...

insbaby

01-12-2009, 02:43 PM

spark_m

01-12-2009, 02:52 PM

they want thru email....i am ready to tell them over phone my ssn but not send them a scanned copy, n i told them that.

snathan

01-12-2009, 02:56 PM

kumar1

01-12-2009, 03:01 PM

I never gave them my SSN and they locked up my account. I use ICICI's service. I do not have enough trust with remit2India or for that matter any India based agency.

insbaby

01-12-2009, 03:12 PM

they want thru email....i am ready to tell them over phone my ssn but not send them a scanned copy, n i told them that.

Have you ever got an email saying "I am the financial advisor of a crap died when he was eating a piece of bread, he has 26,000,000,000,000,000 pounds (of what?) in his account. If you want to help me, I will take $2.00 as service charage and give you everything else.... Please contact me xyz, Antarctica"

Same as this.

Your scanned copy may go thru several mail gateways and everyone is saving a copy of crossing emails. So there are potential chances that you end up giving the scanned copy to more than one.

bestofall

01-12-2009, 03:13 PM

I have been using onlinesbi.com/gls ...I never had any problems.
Recently They started Rapid Remittance Option..I guess they do transfer in 24 hours .

I dont have positive experience with Remit2India....they never kept the Promise about the Gift that they offer as bait for customer ..and customer service is bad..exchange rate is very bad..

I dont how they GOT NO. 1 Rating from Rating Agency ..........:(

vdlrao

01-12-2009, 03:13 PM

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Banking_Finance_/Banking/HSBC_employee_arrested_for_duping_foreign_customer/articleshow/3943969.cms

See the above link. And be careful while giving sensitive information.

MightyIndian

01-12-2009, 04:38 PM

Its illegal to ask for a copy of SSN. No financial firm in US asks for it for whatever reason. There is no reason to provide it to ICICI. Like everyone else I suggest using SBI's express remit. Here is the text from an e-mail I received from SBI offering Rapit remit which takes about 24 - 72 hours to credit the beneficiary account.

We now are glad to bring a new product offering to all SBI Express Remit customers for remittances from USA to India viz. SBI Rapid Remittance. You can avail off the new service (in addition to SBI Express Remit) based on your present customer profile with the Bank. This service covers remittances to India with a minimum amount of $ 2000 and a maximum amount up to $ 100000 for a beneficiary account with SBI or other NEFT enabled banks.

We aim to reduce the time lag in credit to the beneficiary account through this new product. The process involves 2 steps. The remitter is required to provide transaction details on our site and then approach his bank in USA for a domestic transfer to SBI's designated account with Bank of America in USA. We promise to credit beneficiary account with SBI on the very next business day after the credit is received in our designated account with Bank of America in USA. The total time for the process can vary from 24 hours to 72 hours (presuming all are business days) depending on your Bank's system for effecting domestic transfer.

To get complete information on the product and to send remittances using SBI Rapid Remittance kindly click on the following link

MightyIndian

01-12-2009, 04:38 PM

and the missing link from my earlier post is http://www.onlinesbi.com/glsus

Dhundhun

01-12-2009, 05:19 PM

Hi
I'v used remit2india services for more than 5 years...transferring money every now and then. In the last year I transferred 15000USD, in december they started askine me for a scanned copy of my US social card, and have suspended my account till I provide that to them....I am sceptical. I provided my ssn to them when they initially wanteed to verify my account 5 years back,why would they want it again, and this time a scanned copy? Is it legally safe for me to give this to them? Can they even ask for this?

Thanks,

Above $10,000 in any case is supposed to be reoprted to US Treasury. I think, for transactions amounting to above that Indian counterparts need SSN. I have been hearing for quite some time (don't have URL to substentiate it). When you transferred $15,000, they might not be aware of US pressure, but now trying to chase you.

In the interest of security against terrorism, you should close this issue gracefully. I am not sure by sending a copy of SSN, or just telling your SSN. You know in India, some time photocopies are also not enough - it needs to be attested.

Trying to convince them by telling SSN on phone. Otherwise if it is their genuine request to know your SSN and you don't close this issue, there will be always RED flag against you until resolved.

LostInGCProcess

01-12-2009, 05:20 PM

and the missing link from my earlier post is http://www.onlinesbi.com/glsus

And the current exchange rate is as follows:

USD 50 1000 Rs 47.96/USD
USD 1001 2000 Rs 48.01/USD
USD 2001 4000 Rs 48.06/USD
USD 4001 5000 Rs 48.11/USD
USD 5001 10000 Rs 48.11/USD *

spark_m

01-12-2009, 07:13 PM

Above $10,000 in any case is supposed to be reoprted to US Treasury. I think, for transactions amounting to above that Indian counterparts need SSN. I have been hearing for quite some time (don't have URL to substentiate it). When you transferred $15,000, they might not be aware of US pressure, but now trying to chase you.

In the interest of security against terrorism, you should close this issue gracefully. I am not sure by sending a copy of SSN, or just telling your SSN. You know in India, some time photocopies are also not enough - it needs to be attested.

Trying to convince them by telling SSN on phone. Otherwise if it is their genuine request to know your SSN and you don't close this issue, there will be always RED flag against you until resolved.

I transfered $15000 over a period of one year..in any case the limit is $25000 per year or $10000 per week, which is when they ask for SSN...this is what a remit2india customer rep told me....so I am well within limits.

Plus I have also been told that this is being asked from ALL of remit2india customers....dont know if that is true.

Dhundhun

01-12-2009, 07:58 PM

I transfered $15000 over a period of one year..in any case the limit is $25000 per year or $10000 per week, which is when they ask for SSN...this is what a remit2india customer rep told me....so I am well within limits.

Plus I have also been told that this is being asked from ALL of remit2india customers....dont know if that is true.

Last year I transfered $2,500, I don't have any such message.

If I were you, I'll ask the guy to hungup and directly call Remit2India. I would find what is happening and respond accordingly.

If it is Fake or Fraudlent call/email, you could sort out this way. (please note that WEB site also can be hacked and phone numbers can be changed. If the same contacts are consistent for few days, use that contact.)

My point is that money laundering has been happening and US as well as Indian Govt. wants to know transfer as well as usage of money. If either of them have questioned Remit2India, you should provide answer.

It is like cops asking question. Legally perhaps you can say no. While filing return in US, if it is more than $10,000 transfer, there is form to report to US Treasury. I have been sending three mails after filing return: IRS, State and US Treasury, whenever transfered more than $10,000. I don't remember that form #, someone can answer.

Your Remit2India account is frozen. So if you want to use it anyway, you have to get it activated.

spark_m

01-12-2009, 08:14 PM

Last year I transfered $2,500, I don't have any such message.

If I were you, I'll ask the guy to hungup and directly call Remit2India. I would find what is happening and respond accordingly.

If it is Fake or Fraudlent call/email, you could sort out this way. (please note that WEB site also can be hacked and phone numbers can be changed. If the same contacts are consistent for few days, use that contact.)

My point is that money laundering has been happening and US as well as Indian Govt. wants to know transfer as well as usage of money. If either of them have questioned Remit2India, you should provide answer.

It is like cops asking question. Legally perhaps you can say no. While filing return in US, if it is more than $10,000 transfer, there is form to report to US Treasury. I have been sending three mails after filing return: IRS, State and US Treasury, whenever transfered more than $10,000. I don't remember that form #, someone can answer.

Your Remit2India account is frozen. So if you want to use it anyway, you have to get it activated.

I understand all that, which is why during my last transaction I was asked to enter my ssn before I could send more money, and I entered ( though before this ssn was not asked, and this looked like a new form). Yet after that, they froze my account and asked for a scanned copy of the ssn.

ita

01-12-2009, 09:28 PM

But Sbi (http://www.onlinesbi.com/glsus ) doesn't ask for ssn if you transfer more than 15,000. Do we have to specify U S Treasury about our transfers if it is more than 10K a year?

Spark_m did you fill the form that DhunDhun is talking about .
Can somebody explain what this form is?

Thank you.

I understand all that, which is why during my last transaction I was asked to enter my ssn before I could send more money, and I entered ( though before this ssn was not asked, and this looked like a new form). Yet after that, they froze my account and asked for a scanned copy of the ssn.

Dhundhun

01-12-2009, 09:43 PM

Can somebody explain what this form is?

I think, it is "TD F 90-22.1".

Some guidelines are http://www.rpifs.com/AICPA/formtdf90221.htm

My family was in India and so as I remember, I filled this form in 2001-2004. Two years through H&R block, followed by two years through Tax Software. After that it has been less than 10K. I am not aware of recent changes.

spark_m

01-12-2009, 10:05 PM

But Sbi (http://www.onlinesbi.com/glsus ) doesn't ask for ssn if you transfer more than 15,000. Do we have to specify U S Treasury about our transfers if it is more than 10K a year?

Spark_m did you fill the form that DhunDhun is talking about .
Can somebody explain what this form is?

Thank you.

No i never filled this form...because I didnt know about it...but Im sure this i not why remit is asking for ssn.

Icici, sbi and even remit have upper limits of transfer set to $10000 per day or $25000 per year.

askreddy

01-12-2009, 10:36 PM

Launch of SBI Rapid Remittance

We now are glad to bring a new product offering to all SBI Express Remit customers for remittances from USA to India viz. SBI Rapid Remittance. You can avail off the new service (in addition to SBI Express Remit) based on your present customer profile with the Bank. This service covers remittances to India with a minimum amount of $ 2000 and a maximum amount up to $ 100000 for a beneficiary account with SBI or other NEFT enabled banks.

We aim to reduce the time lag in credit to the beneficiary account through this new product. The process involves 2 steps. The remitter is required to provide transaction details on our site and then approach his bank in USA for a domestic transfer to SBI's designated account with Bank of America in USA. We promise to credit beneficiary account with SBI on the very next business day after the credit is received in our designated account with Bank of America in USA. The total time for the process can vary from 24 hours to 72 hours (presuming all are business days) depending on your Bank's system for effecting domestic transfer.

To get complete information on the product and to send remittances using SBI Rapid Remittance kindly click on the following link www.onlinesbi.com/glsus

For any questions and support you can mail us at kumar.p.prem@sbi.co.in

Thanking you for your patronage,

Kumar Parimal Prem

09930466457
Manager
SBI

MightyIndian

01-13-2009, 09:52 AM

Oh well, Somebody gave me red saying " No Sales please". Please note that I neither work for SBI nor gain in way if people use SBI to transfer money.

sidbee

01-13-2009, 10:21 AM

I have been using remit2india, and i think they have deceptive buisness practices, I am planning to move to SBI , they may cause extra delays due to unintentional errors (being a govt company) but atleast they wont be cheating the customers.
Felt to me that Remit2India, manipulates the day of deposit to give less exchange rate.
Bye Bye Remit 2 India,
Hii SBI