Social Security payments suspended for Americans abroad

windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
44,721
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Foreign bank accounts are flag generators, regardless if your transactions are clean or suspect.
The need for annual FATCA/FINCEN filing report is proof enough of that.

So with respect to SSA, avoid the direct DR deposit of SSA for now and see what happens later.
 

Big

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2019
6,058
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Some are clearly not prepared to leave the US, ever. If you are getting critical life process solutions from this website, you most likely have bigger problems and probably need a good attorney or to return home ASAP.
So true. Bank problems, immigration problems, insurance problems and UBER problems. My problems are much more complex, where can I get decent foie gras and seafood pate.
 

cavok

Silver
Jun 16, 2014
11,244
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Cabarete
Foreign bank accounts are flag generators, regardless if your transactions are clean or suspect.
They are mainly a potential flag if you have more than a combined total of $10K in them at any point in time. I've been filing my tax returns for 18 years with the DR banks listed(name only req'd) and amount of interest paid(negligible). Zero problems. No FACTA form req'd if you have less than$10K.
 

La Profe_1

Moderator: Daily Headline News, Travel & Tourism
Oct 15, 2003
2,456
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I am correct, I have had to deal with this.

I agree with Big. When my son died, the funeral director told me directly that they needed his SSN in order to notify them of his death.
 

keepcoming

Moderator - Living & General Stuff
May 25, 2011
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U.S funeral homes report the death to SS, they get a two-hundred-dollar payment from SS for reporting it.
Are you sure the payment goes to the funeral home? That sounds like the death benefit for the surviving spouse, I do not think the funeral home gets a payment. The funeral home does report the death to social security, but I am pretty sure the payment your speaking of is the surviving spouse benefit.
 
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Big

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2019
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Are you sure the payment goes to the funeral home? That sounds like the death benefit for the surviving spouse, I do not think the funeral home gets a payment. The funeral home does report the death to social security, but I am pretty sure the payment your speaking of is the surviving spouse benefit.
I guess the funeral homes in the U.S could have scammed me. They said they report the deaths to SS and get a small admin fee for doing so. They said this in two different States for two deaths. Either way, a few hundred bucks is no issue. I also paid extra for death certificates.
 

NALs

Economist by Profession
Jan 20, 2003
14,692
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The government is not "aware" of where you are. Law enforcement agencies like the FBI can track where you are IF they want to but that requires a warrant. The S.S.A. is definitely not tracking where you are nor do they have the authority to do so. Living in a foreign country and depositing your money in a US bank is not a crime. You're not understanding the purpose of filing the form for those who have their money deposited here.
Hmm… So you’re saying if people stop paying their taxes, that somehow they wouldn’t find you even under a rock?

I hope someone here volunteer to put that to the test.
 

keepcoming

Moderator - Living & General Stuff
May 25, 2011
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Hmm… So you’re saying if people stop paying their taxes, that somehow they wouldn’t find you even under a rock?

I hope someone here volunteer to put that to the test.
Pretty sure SSA, IRS, or any other government agency can find you if they want or need to.
 
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cavok

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Jun 16, 2014
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Hmm… So you’re saying if people stop paying their taxes, that somehow they wouldn’t find you even under a rock?

I hope someone here volunteer to put that to the test.
No, not at all. Look up the definition of "aware". Then , look up the definition of "find out:'.

Read my post again and note where i said - "IF they want to".

Reading comprehension is essential.
 

keepcoming

Moderator - Living & General Stuff
May 25, 2011
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It is not a secret that the SSA can investigate (find anyone) you if they suspect fraud or benefit abuse.
 

CristoRey

Welcome To Wonderland
Apr 1, 2014
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If I were in this situation, which I am not, I would open a free checking account at a local Credit Union in my home country, have government deposit the S.S. into that same account then simply move that money once a month to my Dominican bank account via a money transfer service like Ria or Remitly.
 
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SKY

Gold
Apr 11, 2004
15,023
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It is not a secret that the SSA can investigate (find anyone) you if they suspect fraud or benefit abuse.
Like they have nothing better to do but to search for a guy that did not fill out a form.

Here's a guy was the most wanted and it took them 16 years to find him. Just an example....The only way they will find you is if you do it yourself. Sign on to the US Embassy, get a passport here, or have Direct Deposit...........





Former Ten Most Wanted Fugitive #458: On June 22, 2011, James “Whitey” Bulger was arrested thanks to a tip from the public—just days after a new media campaign was announced to help locate the gangster who had been on the run for 16 years. He was convicted in August 2013.
 

Big

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2019
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If I were in this situation, which I am not, I would open a free checking account at a local Credit Union in my home country, have government deposit the S.S. into that same account then simply move that money once a month to my Dominican bank account via a money transfer service like Ria or Remitly.
That pretty much wraps up this thread. Why would a gringo do it any other way.
 
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AlterEgo

Administrator
Staff member
Jan 9, 2009
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South Coast
If I were in this situation, which I am not, I would open a free checking account at a local Credit Union in my home country, have government deposit the S.S. into that same account then simply move that money once a month to my Dominican bank account via a money transfer service like Ria or Remitly.

You don’t even have to do a transfer, which costs money and gives lousy exchange. Just write a check out to yourself and deposit it in DR dollar account. That’s what we do.
 

bob saunders

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
33,699
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dr1.com
You don’t even have to do a transfer, which costs money and gives lousy exchange. Just write a check out to yourself and deposit it in DR dollar account. That’s what we do.
You don't lose anything on exchange when you transfer dollars to a dollar acct. I transfer from my Canadian Bank $us dollar acct to my Dominican $us dollar accout. Cost me 7 dollars on the Dominican end, nothing on the Canadian end and there is no exchange rate involved.
 

cavok

Silver
Jun 16, 2014
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You don't lose anything on exchange when you transfer dollars to a dollar acct. I transfer from my Canadian Bank $us dollar acct to my Dominican $us dollar accout. Cost me 7 dollars on the Dominican end, nothing on the Canadian end and there is no exchange rate involved.
No. Zero lost on either end except for maybe the 0.15% transaction fee(?).
 

SKY

Gold
Apr 11, 2004
15,023
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They don't have to find the person. Stop their payments as they are doing and they immediately get the person's attention.
They have to locate his location and living in another Country to even attempt to stop payments.....