Thread: Petition Takes Issue With Bank Of America

http://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn/ne ... -0013.html

Petition Takes Issue With Bank Of America

Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 - 10:38 PM




RALEIGH, N.C. -- Bank of America recently announced a plan to allow people to open credit card accounts without Social Security numbers.


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A local activist is leading a national coalition and says the program favors undocumented immigrants.

By not requiring a Social Security number to get the credit card, a Raleigh-based activist says one of the nation's largest banks is encouraging undocumented immigrants to apply.

But Bank of America says the practice is nothing new and it's not aimed at undocumented immigrants.

Bank of America is considered the largest commercial bank in the country.

And William Gheen takes issue with one of Bank of America's most recent pilot programs.

"Over 100 organizations have engaged in a boycott nationally against Bank of America for their decision to give credit cards and as well as mortgages and accounts to illegal aliens in America," said Gheen, the boycott organizer.

He says more than 19,000 people have signed his Online petition on his Web site aimed at boycotting Bank of America.

And he's encouraging people to drop their accounts, or switch their mortgages to show their opposition to the banks program.

"We feel this is aiding and abetting, inducing and encouraging illegal aliens to enter and remain inside the United States," Gheen said.

James Mahoney of Bank of America says this program is nothing new, and it is not targeted at illegal immigrants.

Issuing a credit card without a Social Security number has been a business practice by banks for years.

"Credit cards have been offered on a secured basis to customers who have checking accounts for many years at Bank of America and many other banks, so this is really not new," Mahoney said.

Many banks even offer home mortgages to people without Social Security numbers, under certain restrictions.

The pilot program offered by Bank of America is available to Los Angeles customers.

It offers special incentives for a secured credit card.

Customers have to have a checking history with the bank and have to make a deposit for the card.

Bank of America says it's a new program they do not plan on discontinuing.

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Posted 2007.02.28 12:37:36 by PatriotUSA
I think granting illegal foreign nationals US credit cards is beyond common sense and offensive to the LEGAL US CITIZENS of this country. This will only encourage illegal immigrants to stay here not to mention the national securtiy DANGERS associated with issueing US credit cards to illegal foreign nationals. Fight against this by joining the boycott against Bank of America at www.alipac.us and http://www.bankofamericaboycott.com

Posted 2007.02.28 12:34:05 by IdesMarch
I am deeply saddened by this. I will without hesitation close my accounts with Bank of America, however I would like to know which banks are not currently sharing in this practice.

Posted 2007.02.28 12:29:27 by ZRRIFLE
Just cancelled by BoA credit card. The CS rep flat out lied to me and said they do in fact require SS#'s for all their accounts and cards. I did some more research and found out it wasn't true. So apparently now BoA will lie to you to keep your business.

Posted 2007.02.28 12:14:59 by billwill
what was used before social security numbers? where I live they used state I.D.'s .

Posted 2007.02.28 12:09:24 by canopy_jones
I'm appalled to find out that Bank of America is providing this to illegals particularly since its much more difficult for US citizens to get such financing. I don't bank at BOA but I'm certainly signing the petition and forwarding this information to all my friends.

Posted 2007.02.28 09:10:41 by Raleigh7
I would like to thank William Gheen for standing up for Americans like this. I'm happy he is in my town. I'm moving my accounts out of Bank of America today! Thank you NBC for having a stand up guy like William on your show.

Posted 2007.02.28 09:07:57 by RedDog
I applaud Mr. Gheen and the coalition for taking a stance and exposing Bank of America. I have closed my account with the bank, and I urge others to do the same. You can join the boycott here. http://www.bankofamericaboycott.com ALIPAC has a great site as well at www.alipac.us

Posted 2007.02.28 09:05:40 by April342
I agree with Mr Gheen. I believe that Bank of American is aiding and abetting, inducing and encouraging illegal aliens to enter and remain inside the United States. I signed the Boycott Bank of America petition at http://www.BankofAmericaBoycott.com . Mr Gheen's website at http://www.alipac.us is a very helpful resource with lots of information about illegal immigration . I am fed up with corporations and the federal government catering to illegal immigrants!!!

Added to Home Page:
http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=N ... =0&thold=0

"James Mahoney of Bank of America says this program is nothing new, and it is not targeted at illegal immigrants."
"The pilot program offered by Bank of America is available to Los Angeles customers. "

What am I missing here? If this is nothing new, why is it called a "pilot program" now?