Ok if I cross out numbers?

[ann and aties 9]

Is it okay if I cross out my social security number on my tax returns and cross out my account number on the bank statements when I send my fiance the packet for his interview? I'm nervous about this stuff going through them mail with so many details in them. Will this hurt our chances? Thanks for all your help.

[bruno. 4]

Is it okay if I cross out my social security number on my tax returns and cross out my account number on the bank statements when I send my fiance the packet for his interview? I'm nervous about this stuff going through them mail with so many details in them. Will this hurt our chances? Thanks for all your help.

My fiancée crossed her SSN on the tax forms and it wasn't even mentionned at the embassy in Paris. She did it because she feared that if it got lost them people might use it.

[Anh map 2,098]

The originals should not have the info crossed out. Copies being submitted certainly can.

Use UPS/FedEx/DHL when sending important documents. The extra expense is worth the peace of mind.

[ann and aties 9]

Thank you both for your responses. There is no mail service to Cuba except for the postal service, no DHL, no Fed Ex, no UPS allowed. We rely only on the US postal service and the Cuban postal service. Letters have been lost in transit.

I hope other that have opinions on crossing out my social security number on the tax return (which of course is a copy, the IRS has the originals) and on my bank statements (do those have to be originals?) crossing out my account number.

Thanks for your continued help.

[Claudia2010 1]

If I were you since I know what you mean I will try to send it from a traveling agency..like a place were they send stuff to cuba..Make like a little package and send it that way cause I know exactly how important that info is. Also you know who cuban consulate can be difficult you dont want to get red flag for something so simple..Buy things and send the entire package through an agency like in florida or where u leave..More and safe and definitely faster. I know for a fact things gets lost and it cant take months until a package is receive in cuba and no way to track it. Good luck.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

You can cross it out but they already have it anyway. Your SSN is on the petition and your account number is on your check.

[payxibka 10,048]

You can cross it out but they already have it anyway. Your SSN is on the petition and your account number is on your check.

If you read closely, the OP is worried about Joe the mail thief or Joe the careless postal service worker, not the visa interviewer...

Edited November 1, 2010 by payxibka

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

If you read closely, the OP is worried about Joe the mail thief or Joe the careless postal service worker, not the visa interviewer...

He already has the numbers having stolen the petition mailing with the SSN and check.

There are things to concern yourself with in this process. This is not one of them.

[Blob18 111]

I sent in numerous receipts from Brazil that had my credit card number printed on them as xxxxxxxxx####. So I just took a screenshot of my bank account screen (home banking online)for proof that, that credit card is mine. The banking online lists my name, bank number etc and has my credit card number displayed as xxxxxxxxx####. I crossed out the amount of $$ in the bank, the bank number etc.(as none of that is important for providing proof of relationship at USCIS level) so I don't see a problem in crossing out your bank number.

I would think though that you should leave your SSN on the tax forms as proof that it is in fact you (the tax payer). Try and send it via DHL. According to their site, they do deliver to Cuba from the United States

[baron555 934]

Is it okay if I cross out my social security number on my tax returns and cross out my account number on the bank statements when I send my fiance the packet for his interview? I'm nervous about this stuff going through them mail with so many details in them. Will this hurt our chances? Thanks for all your help.

If you cross out this information, how will the Embassy be able to tell if the documents are yours?

You have to send the information; if you are really concerned then withdraw the petition.

[ann and aties 9]

ok - thanks for all the replies - they are helpful in trying to make a decision. (not to withdraw my petition, definitely am not considering that!) I'm also going to place a question in the regional forum to ask how folks sent their info to Cuba, especially when it wasn't going to Havana.

[payxibka 10,048]

He already has the numbers having stolen the petition mailing with the SSN and check.

There are things to concern yourself with in this process. This is not one of them.

Yes, we know you mail to Cuba all the time and can personally vouch for its employees....

[ann and aties 9]

Just to be clear, I am not worried about my fiance or anyone at the USCIS doing anything negative with my account number or social security number. This is not why I asked the question. If I was worried about my fiance's honesty would I really be marrying him? And if I was worried about USCIS having my information, well that would just be silly, in my opinion, since they are part of the U.S. government who already has access to any info they want about me. But, sending off my bank balances and account information, along with my tax returns etc,etc,etc, that makes me very nervous. I was told by DHL that they would not send to Cuba when I called some months ago. I'll try again.

[C and Lore 3]

Yes, we know you mail to Cuba all the time and can personally vouch for its employees....

The point is not that postal workers in any country are trustworthy or not. The point is when you fill out the I-129F your social security number IS REQUIRED. Therefore you could submit your number 60 more times in the same mailing and it will not increase or decrease the likelihood of it being stolen. If your packet is stolen to begin with the thieves will already have the necessary info even if you only fill out the form.

The only way to completely avoid this risk is to not file your petition at all. Until their is a e-file option this will never be completely safe. You must only weigh whether your love for your fiancee is more than your concern for your personal info. If your truly seriously concerned, I'd send through UPS/Fedex/DHL (if available) and ship fastest possible speed. The faster you mail/ship the less hands handle your package, and the less chance someone untrustworthy will handle your package. Secondly, if your concerned then monitor your bank accounts and credit more closely until the process is complete. As I understand the process takes 6-8 months to visa issuance. If your information hasn't been fraudulently used by then, its not likely going to be (at least not from your mailing.)

[bridget y rodolfo 0]

Just to be clear, I am not worried about my fiance or anyone at the USCIS doing anything negative with my account number or social security number. This is not why I asked the question. If I was worried about my fiance's honesty would I really be marrying him? And if I was worried about USCIS having my information, well that would just be silly, in my opinion, since they are part of the U.S. government who already has access to any info they want about me. But, sending off my bank balances and account information, along with my tax returns etc,etc,etc, that makes me very nervous. I was told by DHL that they would not send to Cuba when I called some months ago. I'll try again.

Hi, First of all, I would never send anything by mail to Cuba!!! I always find someone who's going to Cuba and have them take things with them. It's very common practice, everyone knows you can't trust the mail.

But more importantly, Girl, you need to go to Cuba and be there for the interview and that solves your problem of mail. It's not worth all the trouble and expense and time you've just put into this process to have your fiance be denied at the interview. It's not worth the risk. I didn't have the money or time, but as every other VJer with Cuban fiances advised me, I made it happen and I'm soooo glad I did. It's a huge testament to the validity of your relationship that you attend the interview. At the Interest Section, K1-ers with fiances present are the last to be interviewed, so we saw and heard the interviews of everyone that came before us, and those fiances or even spouses who were alone really had a tough time and I saw many were denied. Again, it's just not worth it. So, stop worrying about mail and get yourself there for the interview. You'll be glad you did. Good luck!!