On 5/2/2010 5:05 PM, D. Peter Maus wrote:

I was with my girlfriend, this weekend, when she bought a car. Simple
transaction...pick one out, write a check. Drive it home.

I was amazed to hear the business office tell her that she was required
to fill out a credit application for the transaction. Name, address, all
credit card and all bank account numbers were required. Rent payments,
utility payments, any other oblications. Employment history for the last
10 years, with names and phone numbers. Residential history for the last
10 years with names and phone numbers of landlords, mortgage companies.

And all sources of supplementary income.

When asked why the hell such detailed invasion of personal information
was necessary to write a check...why not just call the bank verify the
check and the amount, or hold it until it can be verified.

I was told this was required, in order to be in compliance with the
Patriot Act.

It could be worse, like in the bad old days, when they would give credit
to anyone that could fog a mirror.

Last year, I wrote a rather large check ( $10,000) for the entire
purchase price of a new Pontiac Solstice GXP...and no hassle, no holds,
just "Here are keys and the title and thank you very much".

P.S.
Thank your friends W and company for the "Patriot" Act.