Names on Accounts

[CaptLex]

I called my credit card company a few days ago and asked them if I could change the name on the account. It's not a real change of name, I just want to have my first two initials along with my last name on it, instead of my full name. It's not like someone who wants to go from "Robert" to "Roberta". It's like going from "Robert J. Jones" to "R.J. Jones". Anyway, the woman on the other end said no, and told me I could only change the account name in cases of marriage or divorce.

I thought about it for a second and then I said, "What about gender transitioning?" Well, that threw her for a loop for a minute - first there was silence on the other end, then she started stammering, "um, I don't . . . I don't know what you're asking me . . . hold on, please". Finally, she came back and told me it was possible, but they'd be sending me a form for me to fill out and send back before they could do it.

Now I'm wondering what kind of information this form will require and whether I need to present any kind of "proof" - just to use my own real, legal initials! :rolleyes: I think this is just the beginning of finding out what's required in legally transitioning here in NY. :p

[Stephenie S]

Dear Capt.,

Don't ASK your CC company if they will change the name on your account. TELL them. Write them a formal letter stating that from now on you want your name to apear as R J Renolds.
In our imagined fear, we are often far too wimpy about these things. It's YOUR business what your name is. No one elses.

The fact is, you can change your name yourself. Just change it. Anounce to the world that from now on you will be known as Rachael J Renolds and will answer to no other name, period. It will take people a while to get used to this, but it will take them a while if you go through the court also. Legally, as long as you are not doing this to defraud, it is perfectly legal. This is called a Common Law name change.

Now the problem comes when you try to convince a government agency of this. Not one of them will go along with this without a fight. The technique I used was (see above comment about not being wimpy) to inform them that they had made a mistake. Mistakes happen all the time, especially with computers. All you need is one form of ID to get this ball rolling. The more IDs you acumulate, the easier this gets.

Of course you can hire a lawyer, go to court, and get your name changed to whatever you want. This is done all the time and has nothing to do with transitioning. People change their names all the time for many reasons other than gender changing, marriage, and divorce. Some people just want to change their names. It happens all the time.

Good luck. You may find it easier to bite the bullet and jump through the government hoops with the aid of a lawyer. But it is perfectly legal to do this on your own.

It may be easier for you at this stage to have Rachael J Renolds ADDED to your CC account rather than changing your name to R J Renolds.

Steph

[CaptLex]

Thanks, Steph. I know people change their names every day for any number of reasons, but I'm not changing my name - just using a different version of it, so I don't see the need for legalities and lawyers. I asked the credit card company about it because I know all different kinds of businesses and agencies have different policies, and I was curious about theirs (which I now realize is ridiculous). Don't worry, I'm willing to fight to be called whatever I want to be called. And if I end up educating a few people along the way, so much the better. :happy:

[JenniferMint]

If you have multiple credit cards, you could try changing all of them, then using the ones that succeed.

I have 4 credit cards myself (one of each kind, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) because the cards have different benefits and different stores accept different cards.

[Gisele]

Another thing you can do is just tell them that you want to add another person to your account. I have with all of mine. I added my fiance to them with no questions from them about her. They all have sent cards with her full name on them. No problems.

Now I think I will be adding a girl name Beth to one or two of them.:happy: Thanks for reminding me of this.

[CaptLex]

Another thing you can do is just tell them that you want to add another person to your account. I have with all of mine. I added my fiance to them with no questions from them about her. They all have sent cards with her full name on them. No problems.

Now I think I will be adding a girl name Beth to one or two of them.:happy: Thanks for reminding me of this.
Don't you have to provide Social Security numbers for anyone you add to your account?

[Stephenie S]

Not as long as you are going to be paying the bills. When you aply for an account they ask if you want anyone else to have a card on your account. This is the same thing. Remember this is still YOUR acount. You will be responsible for the bills, they will all come in your name. It's just that you are allowing someone else to charge on it. For instance, when my son was in college, I requested a card for him with his name on it. Now, in point of fact, ANY one can use your card as long as you aprove, and as long as you pay the bill. I sent the carpenter who was working on my kitchen to the lumber yard with my Mastercard to buy suplies. This is perfectly legal. My wife uses my card all the time. I can hand my card to a houseguest to buy liquor for the party we are having. Employees are routinely sent on the road with a company CC. I am not trying to say that this passing your card around is a good idea, only that it is legal. As long as you pay the bills the CC company doesn't really care who is doing the charging.

As to your problem, I don't think it is a problem. You just want to have a card with your initials on it. Have you actually contacted your CC company about this? It seems such a simple request. If they give you any grief at all, just change CC companies. The competition today is so fierce that, unless you are a total deadbeat, you will easily find another company eager for your business. You will probably come out ahead with a promotional low interest rate. At the very least, you should threaten to do this to pressure your CC company to do what you want. I have a hard time believing that they wont help you out here.

Good luck,

Steph

[CaptLex]

Well, Steph, the credit card company sent me a form asking me to write in the old name and the new name - along with some proof that I've changed my name. They still don't get it. I haven't changed my name. I told them that I just want my initials on it. So, now I have to call them again and try to make them understand that. What a bunch of morons! I'd really rather not change companies because with this one I get coupons that I put toward purchases at one of my favorite stores (which saves me lots of money), but if I have to, I will. :(

[Stephenie S]

Dear Capt.,

You may only have to threaten to change. I often use this tactic to get a reduction in my interest rate. If I see another lower rate advertised, or if I get one of those "come ons" in the mail with a lower rate I will ask my CC to match it. They ALWAYS do.

Just fill in the form and send it back. Forget the "proof" requirement. It will be obvious that you are not changing your name (only requesting initials). How could you provide "proof" of name change if you aren't really changing your name????? It's probably a generic form anyway.

Lovies,
Steph

[CaptLex]

Thanks, Steph, I'm going to try that. If they reject the form, I'll call them and threaten to switch. :tongueout

[Stlalice]

I've long had cards for when I'm out as Alice - all it takes with most places is a call to customer service requesting an additional card in the desired name. As long as the bill is paid on time they couldn't care less - no need to give them more info than necessary. They may send you a form - but that I suspect is merely to get the name right. :2c:

[janedoe311]

It is legal for an adult to change their first middle and last name if you want and you do not have to have a reason, except to say I do not like it. You can get a lawyer but it is not necessary.

You do have to do it in court though.

She was not the one to talk to.

Put it in writing to the credit card company.

One thing is that you need to sign it with the initals and they like to see the Drivers license signed the same way when they check you drivers license. They seem to be doing asking for my Drivers license more when I use a credit card.

[CaptLex]

It is legal for an adult to change their first middle and last name if you want and you do not have to have a reason, except to say I do not like it. You can get a lawyer but it is not necessary.
Yeah, I know . . . but I don't want to change my name. Just use my initials. I submitted the form and am still waiting for their reply.

[CaptLex]

I went to pick up the mail from my old address today and there it was - I new credit card with my initials on it! I was so happy I did the Snoopy dance! :D

So, I don't have to cancel my credit card or get one in a different name - they finally got what I was saying! Party time - drinks on the house! :cheers:

[Kimberley]

Snoopy Dance? Cool!

Glad that one worked out okay for you.
:hugs:
Kimberley

[michelle19845]

i only have one,i turn down offers all the time,i say maybe wafter i change my name,i'll get one .i th8ink that will be one of the worst things to transition all the paper work,phone calls,etc. who all do you contact anyway,social security people,license company,credit card co,bank acount,any doctors you go to on a reg basis,work,any others?what about birth certificate is that s.s also? thanks


michelle19845