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Direct Deposit of Social Security Checks

Will someone post a short list of Colombian banks that will accept direct deposit of my social security checks.

By bogjudge on Sep 30, 2007, 16:22 in Friendly Talkzone.

Bill Turley says on Sep 30, 2007, 16:40:

The only ones I know about are Bancolombia, Banco de Bogota and Citibank. I am not sure about Citi that is hearsay. I have Banco Bogota but I have had problems serious enough we needed to complain to the superintendent Bancaria. The US Embassy recomended BanColombia, I choose Bogota due to a nearby branch bank, I would not again.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

Bill Turley says on Sep 30, 2007, 16:40:

Mr. Bill Somondoco

arthur brode says on Sep 30, 2007, 17:24:

Why would you want to direct deposit your S.S. check in a Colombian Bank?First of all,it is time consuming and there is a lot of redtape involved.And the Banks here in Colombia hit you with a 4% tax when you go to withdraw your own money.I have my S.S. check direct deposited in the States and withdraw it here in Colombia using my ATM card.Even the Lady at the S.S. services Dept.at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota will recommend that you leave your check in a Stateside Bank.

http://www.calirentals.net/

arthur brode says on Sep 30, 2007, 17:33:

One of the Ladies that works in the S.S. Department at the U.S.Embassy in Bogota is Lucy Fuentes 57-1-315-1566

http://www.calirentals.net/

poco says on Sep 30, 2007, 18:44:

I'd never recommend ANY direct deposit. Listen to brode, well, except the percentage number. There is a tax (one of many) for bank transactions. 4 pesos per 1000.

PS: Make sure you have a Colombian medical policy. SS does NOT pay for anything outside the U.S.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

arthur brode says on Sep 30, 2007, 19:37:

Yep,i have a Colombian Medical Policy.But i continue to pay for Medicare Part B just incase i need to return to the States for some reason.I was told that once you cancel Medicare Part B its very dificult to get it back.

http://www.calirentals.net/

RonDubya says on Sep 30, 2007, 19:38:

I tried it for a while. One of the problems is that the S.S. deposits all the money for Colombia into a single account at the Bank of New York. Then the Bank of New York sends your bucks to the banks in Colombia. Someone at Bank of New York contacted S.S. and changed the account number for my deposit. My money went to someone in Cali I think. Took a month to get it into my account - the person withdrew the money and had to be coerced to give it back. Bancolombia wouldn't give it to me until they got it back - it wasn't their fault, they said. The next month the deposit went to the same person. Fortunately for the second one I had a contact at Bancolombia in Medellín, and he was able to get it into my account before it actually was deposited in the wrong account. My money now stays in the U.S. Trouble with that is my bank increased the international fee from 1% to 2%, and I'm sure the "not my bank" ATM fee will soon go from $2 to $3.

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

scotty says on Sep 30, 2007, 19:43:

I was looking into this a few years ago and as in Art's case it was suggested to me that i have it deposited into a state side bank and then use the atm in Colombia to withdraw from.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

scotty says on Sep 30, 2007, 19:43:

I was looking into this a few years ago and as in Art's case it was suggested to me that i have it deposited into a state side bank and then use the atm in Colombia to withdraw from.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

poco says on Oct 1, 2007, 00:12:

Quote: My money now stays in the U.S. Trouble with that is my bank increased the international fee from 1% to 2%, and I'm sure the "not my bank" ATM fee will soon go from $2 to $3.

I use Compass bank. No ATM fee anywhere in the world, or the U.S. for that matter. They also have internet access to your account.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

miamimike says on Oct 1, 2007, 08:21:

Poco says "SS does not pay for anything outside the USA"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not true; by a preponderance of the facts, SS does in fact pay for Medical care outside the USA. Depends on the Medical Situation and the Geographical location of where you live and the nearest Hospital. Some US residents live closer to a Mexican or Canadian Hospital and if this is the case, Medicare(SS) will cover you medically.See below link:

http://www.tripinsurancestore.com/5/medicare.shtml

BTW, with some US Based Insurance companies, they also offer coverage outside the USA, you need to check first with your Insurance before traveling. In my Case, I have used my Federal Government Employee Mailhandler's Insurance in Bogota with no problem whatsoever.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

miamimike says on Oct 1, 2007, 08:23:

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

miamimike says on Oct 1, 2007, 08:23:

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

Gator says on Oct 1, 2007, 09:43:

Since this is basically asked about Colombia, in general, no payment. The answer on Medicare payment is no in Colombia. If you have a supplemental coverage part B most will pay but not in full. Most private insurance plans will pay after you return and file for reimbursements. You must pay up front.

If you are talking about a long-term or permanent stay in Colombia you will NOT be covered so you will need to obtain a Colombian policy - relatively cheap by US standards. You can have Medicare coverage but you would have to return to the USA for treatment.,

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

poco says on Oct 1, 2007, 19:41:

Quote: Not true; by a preponderance of the facts, SS does in fact pay for Medical care outside the USA. Depends on the Medical Situation and the Geographical location of where you live and the nearest Hospital.

Mike, mike, mike. Why would you waste peoples time with misleading facts. when the subject under discussion is Colombia Gezzz, someone could actually BELIEVE there might be someway to get coverage or dugs in Colombia.

This is an excerpt from the Government ageny called MEDICARE,, gosh, they've even got their own domain: This link is to the PDF file.

heck, links not working. Strange, anyway see below for link that works. Not this post,, WAY BELOW, this still does not work. Hummm, maybe I can determine the problem. Nope, so the link was removed. I'd edit the correct tag below but who knows, maybe that one will have problems?

EXCERPT: in the limited situations described on pages 1–3, Medicare doesn’t pay for health care services you can get outside the U.S. If your circumstances don’t meet these limited exceptions, you’re responsible for full payment to the health care provider.

Even the limited exceptions have STRICT criteria.

This link takes you to the home page: http://www.medicare.gov from this page you can find the answer to almost any question and guess what, they even have a FAQ !!!!

For those people on this site that TRIP ON THE CURB CROSSING THE BORDER between Mexico or CANADA and hit your head and need emergency treatment and a Mexican or Canadian Hospital is across the street,,, then,,, yes, you can go to that Hospital,,,,

BUT

YOU WILL PAY THE HOSPITAL FIRST and I'd bet filling out the forms for reimbursement will be a BIG PAIN. I'd also bet the Hospital wants a credit card or CASH.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

poco says on Oct 1, 2007, 19:41:

I see the edit is working.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

poco says on Oct 1, 2007, 19:42:

Two posts down, one remaining.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

poco says on Oct 1, 2007, 19:55:

Drats, couldn't edit and remove. A page comes up and says:

There seems to be a problem.

Helpful,, anyway this is a link to the document. Hope it works

http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11037.pdf

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

poco says on Oct 1, 2007, 20:02:

Ah, ha,, it did work,, except the edit function. Still says:

This seems to be a problem.

and not ----> There seems to be a problem. I think I had a problem with the problem and the wording above is correct and the problem noted with other wording,,, when I noted the problem, (the first time) was not the correct problem display.

hope this helps,,,

edits changing the link have been unsuccessful on the first post (the post with 3 duplicates) isn't working. Funny the singular post with the link works so extensions with PDF might not be the problem.

Could it be that HTML functionality was recently changed? I've noticed that OLDER posts written using HTML codes when the OLD site software still function properly. BUT,,, if the OLD post using the NEW software is edited the NEW edited post loses the HTML functionality.

Maybe this has something to do with "quote" "(")" ----- " characters?

Ah, ha. using the characters >>> has an adverse effect? Nope, maybe using --> in conjunction with >>> or less is the problem? Nope, this requires research.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

gringoloid says on Oct 2, 2007, 05:42:

poco, you did good with that link........I should have been on that web page before.....thx

Boatygringo says on Oct 3, 2007, 12:47:

Why would any one wast $80.00 a month on SS part B ($9,600 a year) when health and drug costs are so low in Colombia. I have had medical procedures done here that would have cost Thousands of Dollars in the USA. Dental expenses are real low as are eye glasses. An eye exam by a qualified optician, $7.00. good quality eye glasses $50.00, teeth cleaning $25.00 including flouride treatment. Colonostphie and removal of a polop $350.00, my GF had a hernia operation including two follow up visits at the house by a nurse to change the dressing and three follow up visits at the doctors office for $800.00 incuding drugs and special clothing.
$

Boatygringo

Boatygringo says on Oct 3, 2007, 12:51:

My advice would be to canecel SS part B and direct deposit your SS check in a US bank and get money through the ATMs. BTW it was not the banks that raised the service fees from 1% to 2% but VISA.

Boatygringo

Gator says on Oct 3, 2007, 14:06:

BTW, $80.00 a month is $960.00 USD a year but the comment is absolutely correct.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

chewy says on Oct 4, 2007, 09:43:

In the ATM, when you do a withdraw in colombian pesos, what rate would it be used by the bank when exchanging from dollars to pesos. I used my Visa card and paid charges for FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE FINANCE CHARGES.

lpdiver says on Oct 4, 2007, 09:48:

Chewy... It varies from institution to institution. My credit union has no fees whatever and uses the rates from xe.com.

t

"cook some rice!"

orestesdd says on Dec 6, 2007, 09:49:

The problem I have with leaving my SS check in a US bank, and withdrawing what I need at an ATM is that almost every transaction gets charged a $5.00 US dollar fee, which is what I saw in my last trip to Bogotá .

I am planning to retire in Bogotá: thus, I would like to know more the ins and outs of handling not just my SS money, but my 401K money as well. Any comments will be appreciate, for I am at the most 10 years away to retirement if my health holds up.

Thanks.

lpdiver says on Dec 6, 2007, 15:36:

SHop banks. I have zero transanction fees AND get excellent rates.

t

"cook some rice!"

coffee beaner says on Dec 6, 2007, 15:41:

orestesdd get an account in Washington Mutual and use the ATM card in Colombia. I pay 1 cent for every dollar that I withdraw... I think its pretty cheap.

msaucey says on Dec 6, 2007, 16:51:

I'd say open a Citibank in the States and withdraw funds with your Citibank card from the branches in location... No fee... But, double check by calling them, I think they were talking about bringing back the fee....

Besides, most transfers go through Citibank anyway....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

lpdiver says on Dec 6, 2007, 16:59:

You need to also know about how the exchange rates are determined to avoid "HIDDEN" fees.No ATM fee is no bargain if you lose twenty dollars in exchange rates.

t

"cook some rice!"

gringoloid says on Dec 7, 2007, 07:44:

I've been away for awhile and did not see the additional comments about Part B

There could be some misleading information about the 'low cost' medicines available in colombia.

My medication is so expensive here that it is cheaper to fly to Miami, stay in a hotel, buy the meds at Costco and return home a week later. The money i save more than pays for the Miami vacation.

This method is still quite prohibitive for me.

Many medical procedures are less expensive here but some medications can be 10 times as much, like mine are.

My colombian doctor told me he goes to Venezuela to get his meds.

So check what your required meds and procedures are before you cancel any policies.