Passport needed for additional card

tenchy

Just called Nationwide to get another card on my account for my wife. Was told can't do it over the phone or online. They'll send a form which both of us must sign and -- I'll need to send a copy of my wife's passport! My response was "No chance. We're not allowing an organisation like Nationwide to have an uncontrolled copy of primary identification documents like a passport". Their response was "maybe that will be OK and you'll get the card without it". So, have Nationwide introduced this requirement? If so, Why for a secondary card?

withnell

Surely when you opened the account in the first place they would have taken a copy of a driving license / passport anyway? - So while it's an anoyance to send it again, it's not like you're giving them some privilidged info!

benf90

Many card companies have now started to check the identity of additional cardholders.

Presumably they will either have to do a search with a credit reference agency (not necessarily a full credit search, maybe just one that confirms an identity) or they will take copies of documents like a passport / driving license etc.

It's perfectly normal for Nationwide to ask for documents like a passport.

As for why, don't quote me on this but I'm sure I've read or heard it's due to stricter financial laws to do with money laundering etc.

Kavanne

I tried to get a 2nd card and nationwide lost my completed form even though I handed it in in the branch! And I know it was completed correctly as I asked the adviser to check it. For weeks everytime I called they told me it was 'processing' and then FINALLY they admitted they had lost it.

I wouldn't hold your breath.

They never mentioned passport though and I didn't get a letter asking for it, they just plain lost the form. I wouldn't trust them to do anything, tbh,

tenchy

Kavanne wrote: »

I tried to get a 2nd card and nationwide lost my completed form even though I handed it in in the branch! And I know it was completed correctly as I asked the adviser to check it. For weeks everytime I called they told me it was 'processing' and then FINALLY they admitted they had lost it.

I wouldn't hold your breath.

They never mentioned passport though and I didn't get a letter asking for it, they just plain lost the form. I wouldn't trust them to do anything, tbh,

That says it all really. They lost the form, so what's to stop them losing a copy of your passport? Having a copy of your passport lost is as bad as losing the document itself when it comes to indentity theft. While it may be reasonable for banks and the like to inspect a copy of your passport etc. there is no reason why they should have a copy it (you don't know what they will do with it), but there are plenty of reasons why they shouldn't.

tenchy

withnell wrote: »

Surely when you opened the account in the first place they would have taken a copy of a driving license / passport anyway? - So while it's an anoyance to send it again, it's not like you're giving them some privilidged info!

No. I've been a credit card user for over 30 years and applied for dozens during that time. Never been asked for identification documents. Standard practice is that they don't ask. You just fill in the application form and away you go. No doubt they check with a CRA that your address is valid, but that's about it, to date anyway.

Moggles_2

What advantage is there for your wife, anyway?

She would be better off applying for a credit card in her own name, surely? If not, why not?

Kavanne

Moggles wrote: »

What advantage is there for your wife, anyway?

She would be better off applying for a credit card in her own name, surely? If not, why not?

Well MY reason for just adding my OH as an add. cardholder is that he is a student who doesn't meet nationwide's min income criteria (10k atm I think) so made it much easier

Moggles_2

Kavanne wrote: »

Well MY reason for just adding my OH as an additional cardholder is that he is a student who doesn't meet Nationwide's minimum income criteria (10k atm I think), so made it much easier.

Fair enough, but my question was addressed to the OP.

Other things being equal, married couples are better off with credit cards from different lenders.

When you apply for credit facilities, bank accounts etc. or to the credit reference agencies, ensure your address matches the details as they appear on the electoral register and you'll avoid all the inconvenience of sending documents through the post as proof of residency, because your ID can be checked electronically using the electoral roll

Kavanne

Moggles wrote: »

Fair enough, but my question was addressed to the OP.

Other things being equal, married couples are better off with credit cards from different lenders.

When you apply for credit facilities, bank accounts etc. or to the credit reference agencies, ensure your address matches the details as they appear on the electoral register and you'll avoid all the inconvenience of sending documents through the post as proof of residency, because your ID can be checked electronically using the electoral roll

Was just trying to illustrate that their may be reasons the OP's other half CAN'T apply for a card in their own name.

Moggles_2

Kavanne wrote: »

Was just trying to illustrate that there may be reasons the OP's other half CAN'T apply for a card in their own name.

Absolutely. Thanks for your input