Introduction
In the past, you were able to add additonal Barclays authorized user cards with just a name. It generated a new unique credit card number too. This was great when you were managing your friend’s Bluebird/Serve accounts and could load with non-AMEX credit cards. Once that route died, at least you could use it for NW Buxx and USB Buxx cards. Well 1 of those is about to die, so now at least it’s still useful for NW Buxx. Well, when I logged on tonight, I saw this:
Barclays now requires social security number and date of birth for authorized users
I was able to just click on Account Summary to bypass it, but I’m sure it’s a matter of time before they force it on me. Also, when I went to add a new authorized user, sure enough, it asks for SSN and DOB. This is definitely no bueno.
Update – Commenter JThacker noted “Only two of the four ‘Relationships’ require the SSN — both ‘Child’ and ‘Close Family Member in the Same Household only require DOB.”
Only two of the four ‘Relationships’ require the SSN — both ‘Child’ and ‘Close Family Member in the Same Household’ only require a DOB.
Ah nice catch jthacker. post updated.
Government regulations were mentioned as the reason for requiring SSN. If this is true, safe to assume all issuers will be on board soon.
I know AMEX requires it as well as BOA. I don’t remember if Chase or Citi do, but like you said, I’m sure all banks will require it from now on.
Could you please spell out why this is not good, I’m not getting it. thanks
Let’s say you have 5 NWBuxx cards that you want to load all on one day and you wanted to use A+ instead of a Citi card. Well, if there is only you and your wife, it’ll now be harder to justify getting 3 additional AU’s whereas before, you could get those 3 additional cards easily w/o providing a DOB and SSN.
what is the downside of provided the SSN? credit inquiry?
You can’t get one for your dog…?
Ha ha ha ha ha!
Imagine: Your dog Buster has a card. Your imaginary nieces Stella and Karin have one too. So do your 20 fiances. How do you think all these bloggers fly first class around the world 20x a year using miles?