Can I join USAA or NFCU?

[CreditWorld2013]

Thanks everyone! I decided to join USAA as a limited member and I'll find out about my grandfather. Quick question: They asked for my SSN, DOB, etc do they do a hard pull? 

[bichonmom]

---

@Swapmeet wrote:

---

@MountainHiker wrote:

Try to find out how your grands was discharged from the military and check to see if he was on retirement benefits.Also call NFCU and give them your grand pop's name,city and SS if you have it.They should be able to give you info if its on file. Do you have a family member or inlaw that was in the military? Could be a way to join just have to look for it.

---

Anyone can join USAA now. Having a relative that was in the Army is good enough for them -- they don't make you prove it or anything. NFCU is much more strict.

---

This isn't accurate. And they DO check their computer records, so you can't just tell them something untrue and become a full member.

To clarify:  Anyone can join USAA as a limited member. But for a full m'ship, you need to either be in the military or have a close family member who is or was a full member in USAA. Just "having a relative that was in the army" is not enough for you to become a full member.

My grandfather was in the Marines, but never was a member of USAA, so I cannot qualify for a full m'ship. If he had been a USAA member (which he would have qualified for when he was alive), then I would be able to join as a full m'ship.

It's an odd requirement, because it has more to do with your family being a member of USAA, rather than that they were in the military itself. It's not their military background that qualifies YOU; it's their USAA m'ship that qualifies you.

[bichonmom]

---

@CC365 wrote:

Thanks everyone! I decided to join USAA as a limited member and I'll find out about my grandfather. Quick question: They asked for my SSN, DOB, etc do they do a hard pull? 

---

You can give them your grandfather's name (and any other possible relatives who are/were members), and they can immediately look them up in their computer and tell you if they were ever a member. They looked up several relatives for me and were very nice and patient on the phone. You don't necessarily need his DOB, etc. They have pretty good computer records.

When I joined last year, it was not a HP to join or to open a ckg acct. But they are constantly changing things, so maybe someone who has joined recently can let you know for sure.

[Swapmeet]

---

@bichonmom wrote:

---

@Swapmeet wrote:

---

@MountainHiker wrote:

Try to find out how your grands was discharged from the military and check to see if he was on retirement benefits.Also call NFCU and give them your grand pop's name,city and SS if you have it.They should be able to give you info if its on file. Do you have a family member or inlaw that was in the military? Could be a way to join just have to look for it.

---

Anyone can join USAA now. Having a relative that was in the Army is good enough for them -- they don't make you prove it or anything. NFCU is much more strict.

---

This isn't accurate. And they DO check their computer records, so you can't just tell them something untrue and become a full member.

To clarify:  Anyone can join USAA as a limited member. But for a full m'ship, you need to either be in the military or have a close family member who is or was a full member in USAA. Just "having a relative that was in the army" is not enough for you to become a full member.

My grandfather was in the Marines, but never was a member of USAA, so I cannot qualify for a full m'ship. If he had been a USAA member (which he would have qualified for when he was alive), then I would be able to join as a full m'ship.

It's an odd requirement, because it has more to do with your family being a member of USAA, rather than that they were in the military itself. It's not their military background that qualifies YOU; it's their USAA m'ship that qualifies you.

---

I was simply saying that you do not have to produce any documentation -- not implying that people can just lie and get in. They have very relaxed requirements, but you still have to meet them, obviously. So, the information that I provided is accurate. Do not try and change the meaning of what I wrote, then call it wrong please.

[CreditWorld2013]

Well, I contacted NFCU about 10 mins ago and was told that even if my grandfather wasn't a member that I would still be eligible. BUT I've seen threads on here that say otherwise. Also when I asked about access numbers the rep said I wouldn't need to worry about that. So my question is who is right? 

Edit: I forgot to mention...the last thing I would want is that I get in and then their security department does some audit and says otherwise. Is there a way to contact them before to verify the info?

[rudy0720]

Figure one day they will open up for non-military. Can't imagine too many active duty pay their bills on time and they will even need new revenue streams

[llecs]

---

@rudy0720 wrote:

Figure one day they will open up for non-military. Can't imagine too many active duty pay their bills on time and they will even need new revenue streams

---

What are you saying? Are you saying that those serving the greatest nation in the world don't pay their bills on time?

[CreditWorld2013]

---

@llecs wrote:

---

@rudy0720 wrote:

Figure one day they will open up for non-military. Can't imagine too many active duty pay their bills on time and they will even need new revenue streams

---

What are you saying? Are you saying that those serving the greatest nation in the world don't pay their bills on time?

---

I would hope he means that those that are on active duty can't really create new bills therefore they don't have that much usage. For example, a new car loan or credit card. If you are in the military you probably don't have much use for a car loan if you are overseas as opposed to spending in the U.S. I can only hope he means that if not he is implying our soldiers are delinquent 

[Anonymous]

Well I was a sailor in my younger days and I was a delinquent both in credit and in morals. But maybe I was an exception. Anyway, I know that the military will investigate anyone who is having financial troubles. They get a lot more education on finances today and are held to a higher standard than us old timers were.

[webhopper]

My husband's credit report indicates a perfect payment history on 2 NFCU Personal Loans that were opened in 2002 while he was active duty stationed in Okinawa, I believe that a blanket statement regarding the payment history of active duty service members may not be completely accurate. Also, active duty members are required to review their credit report with their commanding officers on a regular basis to maintain the appropriate secuirty clearances. If a sailer, soldier, or other military member becomes delinquent, they are given a direct order by their commanding officer to become current, or else they face court martial and dishonarable discharge. I am sure that there is likely a lot of minformation and misguidance out there regarding the finances of military families, however, I do not believe that a blanket generalization regarding any group can ever be 100% accurate.