hemichrysler

I visited a Centennial mobile 'phone shop and was told that, as a foreigner, I could only have a pre-paid (pay as you go) mobile 'phone. The shop manager claimed that it was government regulation that prevented him from selling a contract to a foreigner.

Essentially, the stumbling block was lack of social security number.

Is this right? It seems bizarre. Imagine the situation reversed at a Vodafone shop in UK... "Sorry, you're an American, so you can't be trusted to have a contact 'phone because you don't have a National Insurance number."

If even one of you have a contract mobile 'phone then it can't be correct. Who is friendlier than Centennial?

RS

daisy

I got a contract phone from verizon when I first moved here 5 years ago. No SSN, no credit record: had to pay a $400 deposit which I got back after a year - with interest!!!!!!!!!!!

fatbrit

I always take my legal advice off shop managers. They're an excellent source of info.

However, you will find it difficult to get a contract phone without a SSN....but not impossible. Find out where our undocumented friends get theirs from and you've got it sussed. The market's too big to ignore them.

SeeYouLaterAligator

We tried to get my husband a phone when we were over visiting (so we could start building a credit history for him)

They told us that he couldn't get one without a Social Security number because they would have to do a credit check on him. They did say that he could put a large deposit ( I think it was 500 ) We decided to wait though.

I also couldn't add him to my american bank account even though we were married he did not have a SS number and they told me not until he gets one.

but, when i moved to the UK, I got a bank acct, mobile phone, car insurance all in one day - No Problems!

Go figure!
lol

penguinsix

Uhh...that is the case, basically. You can't get a UK contract mobile until you have UK bank account, and getting one of those basically requires you as a foreigner to jump through a slew of hoops, including getting a NIN.

Big D

You can open a US bank account without a SSN no problem

mandpete

Five years ago I visited most of the big names who told us we would have to pay a hefty deposit. In the end I went to Radioshack and had no problem getting a cell phone with Sprint - no deposit or SS number required. It wasn't the best service but after our contract ran out and I had my SS number I changed to T-Mobile. This was before pay as you go was available in our area of NJ.

SeeYouLaterAligator

Could use tell me what bank you used then? My bank that I have dealt with since I was a child (but its a community bank, local) wouldn't allow me to add my husband when we got married because of the whole No SS number.

Looks like it time to change banks. Thanks

Ali

Big D

Bank of America - might be different adding rather than opening - but most of the big ones are the same - we opened before we had SSN - but think of all those ex pats in Florida who have accounts etc too

loopylorns

when we got here they wanted $1000 per line deposit for mobiles as no credit record, with 5 phones needed we got pay as you go, stupid stupid situation IMHO.

gsnichol

A big deposit if you have no credit history is pretty common - expect it from the gas, water and leccy people too. I think Verizon wanted a $400 deposit from me. I ended up with pay as you go from T-mobile. Decent reception and I don't use the phone much anyway. I reckon I save when compared to the crazy prices charged for a monthly contract.

Elvira

I went with PAYG Virgin. I decided that, if US cellphone providers do not want my business for lack of a SSN, I'd rather go with a British company. Since I rarely use my cellphone - and mostly when roaming - I stuck with Virgin after I finally obtained that stupid number.

Tracym

If you can add him to your credit card - often they will automatically charge the phone to the credit card rather than having the large deposit.

Big D

Indeed - common the world over too not just here in the US

penguinsix

There was a very good thread recently about the need for an SSN and a bank account. If you are an American, then basically, yes, you need an SSN as part of the Patriot Act's anti-money laundering provisions. If you are a foreigner, there are a bunch of different procedures, but in essence, you don't necessarily need a SSN, you just have to show some sort of identification that proves who you are (what qualifies is often done on a bank-by-bank basis).

Do a google search and you can find out more information on this and print out a copy because chances are most bank tellers don't know the subtle nuances that allow for different procedures for non-Americans.