Banking issues for Americans residing in Cambodia

psavek · Post by **psavek** » Thu Mar 07, 2024 12:03 pm

Hi,

I have encountered a range of banking problems and I am wondering how other US expats have dealt with them.

My largest conundrum:

- I need to file my taxes and get the EITC for my kids.
- In order to file my taxes, I need a US bank account. (My former US account was lost due to being dormant. The bank claims they cannot reactivate it.)
- So, I have tried to create an online US bank account.

Unforunately, every attempt to create an online account has failed. I have tried around 6 banks. Usually, I get stuck with needing to get an activation phone call or text. Other times, I set up the account, but it is then flagged as suspcicious and I am made to speak with customer service. In order to resolve the issue, they will ask me questions crafted from identity brokers. However, since my father and I have the same name and our credit reports are always being mixed together, they will ask questions that only my father knows. Further, my father is not in a position to assist in this process.

I would prefer to not travel to the US to create a bank account. I don't really have the time, given my work and parental duties. Also, I would prefer to avoid the $1,500 expense. It seems wasteful.

Aside from travelling to to the US to create a bank account, what other options are there?
From what I understand, neighboring countries (Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore,etc.) will not allow non-residents to create accounts with the US banks in their jurisdictions.

The American expats in Cambodia in my network tend to fall into the following categories.
1. new arrivals with existing accounts
2. long termers who frequently visit the US and so do not have this issue
3. long termers who never visit the US, do not have an account and do not file their taxes

Some other issues:
Trying to have money sent from the US to Cambodia via Western Union only to have it cancelled due to it being flagged as supsicious.
Trying to buy items using a Cambodian account with US online retailers only to have it cancelled due to it being flagged as supsicious.

I appreciate any ideas.
Thanks

Kenr · Post by **Kenr** » Thu Mar 07, 2024 4:23 pm

The clock is ticking so you should probably just apply anything you are owed this year and apply it to your tax return for next year.

phuketrichard · Post by **phuketrichard** » Thu Mar 07, 2024 5:12 pm

"The American expats in Cambodia in my network tend to fall into the following categories."
#4 Americans living in Cambodia ( or Thailand) that have always maintained a US bank account even though not living there for decades

I knew even as a young adult of 20, never give up my US accounts and CC's
i know not helpful to you , but a word of advice to Anyone thinking of moving overseas.

dont u have an US relatives that can assist?
OR
Get a skype # and a vpn and use a US ip address when u apply for a us account
BUT how will you fund the new account to open it?

Kenr · Post by **Kenr** » Thu Mar 07, 2024 6:22 pm

You’re more than likely going to have to be physically in the U.S. to open a new account, and provide a U.S. address and a U.S. phone number.

Roryborealis · Post by **Roryborealis** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 2:27 pm

psavek wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 12:03 pm Hi,

I have encountered a range of banking problems and I am wondering how other US expats have dealt with them.

My largest conundrum:

- I need to file my taxes and get the EITC for my kids.
- In order to file my taxes, I need a US bank account. (My former US account was lost due to being dormant. The bank claims they cannot reactivate it.)
- So, I have tried to create an online US bank account.

Unforunately, every attempt to create an online account has failed. I have tried around 6 banks. Usually, I get stuck with needing to get an activation phone call or text. Other times, I set up the account, but it is then flagged as suspcicious and I am made to speak with customer service. In order to resolve the issue, they will ask me questions crafted from identity brokers. However, since my father and I have the same name and our credit reports are always being mixed together, they will ask questions that only my father knows. Further, my father is not in a position to assist in this process.

I would prefer to not travel to the US to create a bank account. I don't really have the time, given my work and parental duties. Also, I would prefer to avoid the $1,500 expense. It seems wasteful.

Aside from travelling to to the US to create a bank account, what other options are there?
From what I understand, neighboring countries (Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore,etc.) will not allow non-residents to create accounts with the US banks in their jurisdictions.

The American expats in Cambodia in my network tend to fall into the following categories.
1. new arrivals with existing accounts
2. long termers who frequently visit the US and so do not have this issue
3. long termers who never visit the US, do not have an account and do not file their taxes

Some other issues:
Trying to have money sent from the US to Cambodia via Western Union only to have it cancelled due to it being flagged as supsicious.
Trying to buy items using a Cambodian account with US online retailers only to have it cancelled due to it being flagged as supsicious.

I appreciate any ideas.
Thanks

Tell Experian, TransUnion and Equifax to stop asking you the incorrect security questions which belong to a different individual.

Khmer_Risotto · Post by **Khmer_Risotto** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 3:56 pm

Why do you need a US bank account to file your taxes? I've never encountered that requirement.

Kenr · Post by **Kenr** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 4:04 pm

Khmer_Risotto wrote: ↑Fri Mar 08, 2024 3:56 pm Why do you need a US bank account to file your taxes? I've never encountered that requirement.

You don't. But if you don't you will need a US address to send the paper check to if you are getting a refund.

Khmer_Risotto · Post by **Khmer_Risotto** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 4:24 pm

Kenr wrote: ↑Fri Mar 08, 2024 4:04 pm
Khmer_Risotto wrote: ↑Fri Mar 08, 2024 3:56 pm Why do you need a US bank account to file your taxes? I've never encountered that requirement.
You don't. But if you don't you will need a US address to send the paper check to if you are getting a refund.

They will send you a check to Cambodia, but I don't think any bank in Cambodia will cash it.

Kenr · Post by **Kenr** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 4:26 pm

Khmer_Risotto wrote: ↑Fri Mar 08, 2024 4:24 pm
Kenr wrote: ↑Fri Mar 08, 2024 4:04 pm
Khmer_Risotto wrote: ↑Fri Mar 08, 2024 3:56 pm Why do you need a US bank account to file your taxes? I've never encountered that requirement.
You don't. But if you don't you will need a US address to send the paper check to if you are getting a refund.
They will send you a check to Cambodia, but I don't think any bank in Cambodia will cash it.

Exactly, that's why it would be pointless to have it sent here.

Banking issues for Americans residing in Cambodia

Banking issues for Americans residing in Cambodia

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