It is not possible to activate a prepaid debit card without providing any form of government-issued identification, including a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), due to federal regulations such as the U.S. Patriot Act, which requires financial institutions to verify the identity of cardholders. While some prepaid card issuers accept alternative forms of identification like an ITIN or a passport number, there is no option to activate a prepaid card without providing any identifiable information.
The idea of obtaining a prepaid card completely anonymously, such as through a retail store without any ID verification, is not feasible under current U.S. laws and regulations. Even cards marketed as being accessible without an SSN typically require an ITIN or another form of government-issued ID for activation. For example, the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard allows activation without an SSN if used as a non-reloadable gift card, but to enable reloading, an SSN is required under the Patriot Act.
Some cards, such as the Bluebird® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account, Serve® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account, and PayPal Prepaid Mastercard, accept an ITIN instead of an SSN, but they still require identity verification through other means. Similarly, the Direct Express® card, used for government benefit payments, does not require a bank account but still requires identity verification during enrollment.
In summary, while certain prepaid cards may accept an ITIN or passport number in place of an SSN, no prepaid debit card can be activated without some form of verifiable identification. The notion of a prepaid card with no ID requirement is not supported by current financial regulations.
Title. So, this user has never done this before and is curious how to do this, it's semi-urgent. How does one buy, activate, fill, and use a prepaid card, that one can find at grocery stores like Weis, etc., as quickly and -- more importantly -- as ANONYMOUSLY as possible? Also, are there any that go above $500, such as to 1K? Can only find $500 max limit ones at the store. Thx!
EDIT: So, some on YTube are saying that reloadable ones are subject to the Evil "Patriot Act" and require SSN; this user saw some requests for SSN/info for activating cards on video tutorials online, such as for Netspend cards; the question is: HOW DOES ONE fill, say, $800-$999 on a prepaid card with NO IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION NEEDED?!?!?!?!? For example, for putting in "bug-out" bags/luggage for apocalyptic scenarios full of money alongside various fiat bills and gold bars.
What prepaid cards are out there that one can buy from a grocery store that don't require any ID verification, no tax payer number, no SSN, nothing? Is there a prepaid card that doesn't (because it doesn't require them in the first place) send one's SSN to credit bureaus?