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Am I being paranoid?
- Thread starter KarenL
- Start date
johnmfaeth
TUG Member
"Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean people are not out to get you."
What legitimate purpose could they possibly have for this?
What legitimate purpose could they possibly have for this?
Dave M
TUG Lifetime Member
Passport number, no.
However, whoever handles the closing will need your Social Security number to report the sales transaction to the IRS.
However, whoever handles the closing will need your Social Security number to report the sales transaction to the IRS.
Dave M
TUG Lifetime Member
Ah-ha! I lost sight of the location. Sorry about that!
If the closing entity (broker, attorney, closing company, etc.) is based in the U.S., that entity is required to get the Social Security number in most cases.
I don't know what the SA closing requirements are related to providing passport numbers. However, I would guess that there are many SA timeshare owners who don't have passports!
If the closing entity (broker, attorney, closing company, etc.) is based in the U.S., that entity is required to get the Social Security number in most cases.
I don't know what the SA closing requirements are related to providing passport numbers. However, I would guess that there are many SA timeshare owners who don't have passports!
king1
TUG Member
I've bought and sold many SA weeks, both for myself and for friends. Their paperwork always asks for a passport number, requiring me to explain that many people here don't have passports, even though I do. For a recent sale through Cape, they insisted on passport numbers from my friend, but were eventually satisfied with faxes of drivers licenses. Some foreign countries put much faith in passports, even requiring them for something like an overnight hotel stay.
I'd be surprised if Cape has any reporting responsibilities with IRS, so maybe Uncle won't even notice. The amounts of money we're talking on our sales wouldn't attract much attention from the feds, anyway.
I'd be surprised if Cape has any reporting responsibilities with IRS, so maybe Uncle won't even notice. The amounts of money we're talking on our sales wouldn't attract much attention from the feds, anyway.
Huh?
Certainly, no one needs to even possess a passport at all in the first place in order to own a timeshare -- anywhere. With that indisputable fact clearly in mind, it is inconceivable (to me, anyhow) that it could ever be a legitimate legal requirement to provide a passport number when selling one.
In your shoes, I's ask some very pointed questions here --- e.g., "Why do you need or want this particular U.S. Government issued personal information, which is unrelated and irrelevant to my selling a timeshare? Can you provide me with a copy the specific item of law which requires my release of this particular private, personal, U.S. Government issued information?" (Answer --- no, they most certainly likely can't).
In this day and age, U.S. passport information is one of the LAST things on earth which you'd ever want to lose or voluntarily (and unnecessarily) release to a) unknown persons in the b) private sector in a c) foreign country, over the d) non-secure Internet, when you e) have absolutely no knowledge about (or control over) who might see (or later acquire) that personal information at the other end, or f) their true purpose in seeking the info in the first place (perhaps a purpose of ill intent).
While this may be inter-governmental information required by law to physically, personally cross international borders, I can't personally even begin to imagine it being legitimately required to be provided in the course of conducting a private, financial transaction. Something really smells here, at least to my nose........
P.S. In my view, there is nothing "paranoid" about always being security and privacy conscious in the world we live in today.....
Certainly, no one needs to even possess a passport at all in the first place in order to own a timeshare -- anywhere. With that indisputable fact clearly in mind, it is inconceivable (to me, anyhow) that it could ever be a legitimate legal requirement to provide a passport number when selling one.
In your shoes, I's ask some very pointed questions here --- e.g., "Why do you need or want this particular U.S. Government issued personal information, which is unrelated and irrelevant to my selling a timeshare? Can you provide me with a copy the specific item of law which requires my release of this particular private, personal, U.S. Government issued information?" (Answer --- no, they most certainly likely can't).
In this day and age, U.S. passport information is one of the LAST things on earth which you'd ever want to lose or voluntarily (and unnecessarily) release to a) unknown persons in the b) private sector in a c) foreign country, over the d) non-secure Internet, when you e) have absolutely no knowledge about (or control over) who might see (or later acquire) that personal information at the other end, or f) their true purpose in seeking the info in the first place (perhaps a purpose of ill intent).
While this may be inter-governmental information required by law to physically, personally cross international borders, I can't personally even begin to imagine it being legitimately required to be provided in the course of conducting a private, financial transaction. Something really smells here, at least to my nose........
P.S. In my view, there is nothing "paranoid" about always being security and privacy conscious in the world we live in today.....
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johnmfaeth
TUG Member
OK, I didn't realize that this was overseas when initially posting. Some foreign countries require some "know the buyer" info. For example, in the Bahamas, you must supply passport/license info, a letter of reference from your bank, and one from a lawyer/accountant, and answer a short questionaire of reason fro purchase.
This is in partially in response to pressure from the US to stop money laundering.
Have no idea what requirements. if any, apply to SA.
This is in partially in response to pressure from the US to stop money laundering.
Have no idea what requirements. if any, apply to SA.
Hi John:
My intended point was simply to say, loudly and clearly --- and now once again --- that while there may be different "positive identification" requirements in different countries to conduct certain financial transactions, there is essentially NO chance that presentation of U.S. passport information to ANY non-governmental (i.e., private / commercial) entity could possibly be a legal or legitimate requirement.
My intended point was simply to say, loudly and clearly --- and now once again --- that while there may be different "positive identification" requirements in different countries to conduct certain financial transactions, there is essentially NO chance that presentation of U.S. passport information to ANY non-governmental (i.e., private / commercial) entity could possibly be a legal or legitimate requirement.
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johnmfaeth
TUG Member
Hi Theo,
I agree fully on non-governmental requirements. But the forms are referenced in the Bahamas are forms the government requires to be completed with each transaction and submitted by the management company to the government.
And in general and in principal, I agree with you 100%. This is an area to be "paranoid" in your level of caution.
John
I agree fully on non-governmental requirements. But the forms are referenced in the Bahamas are forms the government requires to be completed with each transaction and submitted by the management company to the government.
And in general and in principal, I agree with you 100%. This is an area to be "paranoid" in your level of caution.
John
arlene22
TUG Member
I own two weeks in the Bahamas and the only one of those things they ever asked me for was my driver's license.