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Social Security Check

OK, I need some advice from the geezers out there. Through a typical government screwup, I did not receive the SSA debit card as arranged. Instead, I received a SSA check in the mail here in Colombia. Has anybody had any experience trying to cash or deposit a check like this here? Bancolombia has a direct deposit relationship with the SSA, do you think they will accept the check if I open an account with them? I would sincerely appreciate any advice or experiences that any of you have had.

By cstew47 on Oct 9, 2009, 16:52 in Friendly Talkzone.

Philly says on Oct 9, 2009, 17:10:

Good luck opening up an account.

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Bill Turley (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 9, 2009, 17:16:

I tried to send you an e-mail but it was refused

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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cstew47 says on Oct 9, 2009, 17:17:

I don't believe that will be a problem. I have a Colombian company, visa and cedula. My biggest concerns are the exchange rate and the length of time the bank will want to hold the check.

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cstew47 says on Oct 9, 2009, 17:22:

Bill, I sent you another message. Please try again. I don't know what happened.

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Bill Turley (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 9, 2009, 17:43:

Same result

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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barrumundi says on Oct 9, 2009, 20:16:

Mail box full?

http://poorbuthappy.com/yourthing/post/uploading-photos-for-dummies/

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Gator says on Oct 9, 2009, 20:51:

If you can open an account with either BanColombia or Banco de Bogota then the US Embassy can arrange for direct deposit. Contact the embassy's citizen services section.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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www.calirentals.net (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 9, 2009, 20:59:

been there...done that.

its best to have your check direct deposited in a stateside account an withdraw it in Colombia with the atm card.even the U.S.Embassy federal benefits unit recommends that.

if you have a colombian company and income in pesos then why withdraw dollars in colombia with the poor exchage rate right now...unless you have to.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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misterfinger says on Oct 9, 2009, 21:35:

OK Then Now We Should see the slide to 1600 anyone that lives on SSA When this haapens go move to Ecuador or Peru... Yeh Peru now 2.80 soles Come on Mister Nobel Peace Prize Nobama help us on this one OK?????

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cstew47 says on Oct 10, 2009, 02:38:

Gentlemen, I appreciate all of the input. I understand the process of direct deposit. That is why I attempted to set up the debit card. What I am dealing with is a bureaucratic screwup (what a surprise) that has left me with a check in Colombia. I will try working with Bancolombia and report back to the forum what happened.

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www.calirentals.net (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 10, 2009, 06:22:

Elmo,you are allowed to collect S.S. benefits outside the U.S. But you will need a mailing address in the U.S.or Colombia for correspondense.Here is the # to S.S. 1-800-772-1213

And with your lifestyle i wouldnt even worry about receiving S.S.ten years from now LOL

http://www.calirentals.net/

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misterfinger says on Oct 10, 2009, 06:49:

I Got Direct deposit via A USA Bank and it works fine for me if THE colombian bank will charge fees too why stick with that??? Stay with The USA Bank I cant see the differnece?????

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bhill says on Oct 12, 2009, 09:11:

OK, so my curiosity has gotten the better of me. Folks my age pretty much consider Social Security a black hole. If I ever get anything from it at all it will perhaps cover my monthly bubble gum budget. Have you geezers retired abroad some other plans, or are you just hoping you'll be the last one to squeak through? Frankly, these days I'm worried about my actual savings, never mind SS. Money in the bank will be worthless, too, if the dollar is in the toilet. How does this factor in your off shore retirement plans?

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