It gets better. I called them.

The rep I spoke to told me that the SSN verification form is to verify my name/DOB/ssn. I asked so then what do you need the W9 for? I was told "the form is used to update our system."

I asked why you need a taxpayer identification form to update your own system, and I was told that "the form is used to update the system."

I again explained that a W9 is not necessary to update your own system, and that she was not answering me, WHY do you need the form. She replies "I am answering you, the form is used to update our system."

I explain I have 3 other credit cards and a car loan with chase. I ask why is it that my information is ok with THOSE accounts, yet my Southwest card somehow needs verification. Wouldn't seeing I'm the same person with the same linked bank accounts suffice? I'm told those are separate and she cannot comment on that.

I ask to speak to a supervisor.

Supervisor explains to me that they need to verify my name, DOB, and SSN all match up. I say I understand, and the SSA form does that, explicitly. Why do you need a W9? "To verify your name, DOB and SSN."

Yes, but the OTHER form DOES that. Why do you need to verify my name, DOB and SSN, and then need another form to verify my name, DOB and SSN? "Because we had a system update and need to update our records with that form."

More bullcrap and runaround.

So, I ask, since you had a system update, EVERYONE got this request? No - not everyone. Oh, ok... so you only updated part of your system? "No sir, we updated the system."

So then I mention to her my other accounts, and she tells me those are separate entities. Ok then, why are those Ok and this one isnt, since it's the same name, DOB and SSN on those. Not to mention address, phone number, linked bank accounts, etc. She tells me there was a system update and they need the forms to validate the information.

At this point I may have punched an actual person standing in front of me.

I ask if I can go into a Chase branch and show a drivers license, passport, and my SSN card to verify it's me. No, they need the forms.

Now this is getting absurd. I can cross the US border with less than that documentation, yet, I cannot have a Chase credit card without signing paperwork that gives a third party company the right to access my SSN info in perpetuity (for ___ days had N/A written in it. IE: Authorization until the end of time), and a Taxpayer ID and certification form?

So I ask what happens if I don't return the forms. I'm told my account will be closed. I mention "Shouldn't they all be closed? I mean, if you cannot verify the information you've already had on file, without issue, for 14 years, shouldn't they all be closed?" After a moment she says "Yes sir all your accounts with Chase will be closed."

Now I know for a fact that shes full of crap.

I'm sorry. I'm not giving a bank that sort of access to my information. I've filled out 5 W9's in my lifetime, for jobs I was starting where my employer needed access to my tax information for TAX PURPOSES.

Why a credit card needs that - beyond me.

Just to be safe I'm dumping all my Ink points into my SW account in case they close my business account also.

I'm stunned that that level of bullying by a bank is both legal, and acceptable.

Even better - I've done at a minimum, $50,000 a year in transactions with Chase cards for many years now. Paid my bills. Now, because they aren't sure I'm actually me, they want to close my accounts if I don't bend over and take it. I really wish I HAD lied about my SSN on those accounts. I'd have the perfect excuse to max out every card I have, let them close the accounts, and not pay a damn thing. I mean - it's not me, right? How could they hold ME liable for the charges when they cannot verify that I'm actually me.

What's the wait time before you can get the new user bonus? Can't wait to let that pass then re-apply.

Hell, I may apply for an Amazon credit card right now just for the hell of it to see what happens.