I have no identity! How do I use my bank and take a flight?

August 7, 2007 2:18 PM

I've lost my wallet and passport and I need to get money and fly this weekend, help!

I recently moved to NYC and the other day lost my wallet and passport (long story). This means I don't have my debit card, credit card, license or any form of photo ID. The only thing I do have is a checkbook, which is pretty much worthless in NYC. To make matters worse, I still had a Nevada license, which I imagine will complicate trying to get a NY one.

So, my two main problems. I only have $4 to my name right now. I know I can borrow cash from friends, but is there any way for me to get money otherwise? I have an account at Washington Mutual, but without my card or an ID, can I possibly take out money?

The second, and more important problem. I'm in a wedding (my cousin's) in Minneapolis on Saturday, meaning I have a flight on Friday night from LGA to MSP on Northwest. I've read a few things about flying without an ID, but they don't sound entirely pleasant and I really don't want to risk missing a wedding that I am IN.

Any help would be absolutely amazing. I guess, if nothing else, I can try to get a copy of my birth certificate FedExed to me and hopefully at least get a state ID by Friday, but if anybody has any better ideas, I'd love to hear them.

posted by atomly to travel & transportation (17 comments total)

How about going into a Washington Mutual and sit down with a teller? If you have checks, and you can verify some information about yourself such as SSN, birth date, mother's maiden name, whatever, I would think they'll probably give you some cash. You may have to give them a fingerprint.

You can fly without an ID. It won't be pleasant, and you may have to argue a bit with gate agents who don't know better, but it's in the federal code. You will be automatically subjected to additional screening, baggage inspection, etcetera. Plan to be at the airport at least 1-2 hours earlier than you would normally go to the airport to allow for this confusion, extra security, etcetera.
posted by cklennon at 2:41 PM on August 7, 2007

You can absolutely fly without ID. Go to the security check point as normal and tell them you don't have ID, and they'll pull you aside and ask you a whole bunch of questions. I did this in Las Vegas a couple months ago, and it wasn't too bad - it did take some extra time, though, so allow an extra hour or so just in case.

You should be able to go into a WaMu branch and explain the situation, and after answering a slew of security questions to allow them to identify you, be able to withdraw money (you did cancel all your debit/credit cards when you lost your wallet, right?). This may take some time as well, as they'll probably have to verify you with the branch where you originated the account, but it's doable.
posted by pdb at 2:41 PM on August 7, 2007

Do you have an old student id, or anything? That could help.
posted by sweetkid at 2:44 PM on August 7, 2007

boingboing had a post about flights and IDs here:

Flying without ID won't work? try making your own ID.
posted by mattngtv at 2:48 PM on August 7, 2007

This link provides a list of documents you will need to get a New York State ID. However, I recently got mine and it took four weeks. I don't see any emergency provision, but my search was not altogether extensive. However, you seem to have lost all the necessary documentation, is that correct?

Passportsandvisas.com claims they can replace your lost passport within 24 hours for about $169.00 with a certified copy of your birth certificate and accompanying proof of identity. Since you lost your license, click through to their page of acceptable proofs of identity - hopefully you have some sort of union affiliation, student ID card, marriage license, military ID, college transcripts, something. I don't endorse this company or know of anyone who's used them, I'm sorry to say.

Here's what Schneir on Security has to say about flying without ID. Apparently, you only have to submit to a secondary search in order to fly, though he cites an example where someone tried and failed, so there's that. Still, as others have noted, I say absolutely try.

Can you get a copy of your Nevada license from the Nevada DMV?

Seconding pdb about your banking concerns.
posted by TryTheTilapia at 2:49 PM on August 7, 2007

Yeah, I figure I'll stop by the WaMu by my work tomorrow and try to talk to them. I opened my account online, but I do most of my banking at that branch and hopefully I'm recognizable enough that they'll remember me. Luckily, I've only been in NYC for a little while and my direct deposit isn't effective yet, so I will have a paper check from my work on Friday, which I think will help prove my story as well. Worst case scenario, I can sign the check over to a friend and have them cash it.
posted by atomly at 2:50 PM on August 7, 2007

When I lost my wallet, BofA only required me to know my checking account number and ATM PIN in order to withdraw cash.
posted by rhizome at 3:04 PM on August 7, 2007

I don't think you can use the urgent passport options if you aren't traveling outside the country imminently.

OTOH, you can buy a fully-refundable ticket to get around that.
posted by smackfu at 3:05 PM on August 7, 2007

This exact same thing happened to me a couple of years back. I had my mom FedEx me my birth certificate, baptismal certificate, my high school and college diplomas, and an old driver's license. In New York you need something like five points of identification to get a New York ID card. Take anything like this you can think of, including bills in your name (the final point of ID for me was an old ATM card). I had to haul out to the DMV in College Point, Queens on the bus. An ID card is naturally easier to get than a driver's license (no need to get a car to drive for a test). If you get an ID card you won't get the card for a couple of weeks, but the stub that they give you was at the time good enough to get me on the plane.
It was kind of a drag, but it was all okay in the end.
posted by Sara Anne at 3:06 PM on August 7, 2007

Not to answer my own question, but I guess if anybody stumbles upon this with a search, I did also find this: Replacing a Nevada license while out of state/country. Not entirely useful in the short-term, but a good find nonetheless.
posted by atomly at 3:13 PM on August 7, 2007

For acceptable forms of ID and their point values go here
posted by Sara Anne at 3:14 PM on August 7, 2007

Where is your homeowners/renters insurance agent? Oftentimes bankcards, credit cards, etc can be FedExed there for you. It's not uncommon actually - that's where they send your documents if you house is destroyed. Your agent is probably in Nevada, but if there's a branch office near you they can help.

Not a full solution, but maybe they can help you get a few credit cards, etc.
posted by 26.2 at 3:27 PM on August 7, 2007

You should be able to get a new credit card issued and Fed-Exed to you. Last week my credit card company changed my account number and card in response to some illicit activity they had discovered, and when I said that I needed the new card right away, they sent it overnight.
posted by xo at 3:57 PM on August 7, 2007

call the nevada department of motor vehicles. they may be able to fed-ex you a new license. you may have to fax them a police report (yes, you can report lost items as well as stolen).

likewise, the state where you have a birth certificate may be able to overnight you a certified copy.
posted by thinkingwoman at 3:57 PM on August 7, 2007

by the way, in the future, xerox your wallet and keep in a safe place: license, cards, social security card, and passport. :)
posted by thinkingwoman at 3:58 PM on August 7, 2007

Your bank will expedite a card (and so will credit card companies) for a small charge. You'll have to go through identifying yourself...but once done, 24hrs later, you'll have a card in your hands.
posted by filmgeek at 6:01 PM on August 7, 2007

A friend I was traveling with had his wallet stolen. He filed a police report, a copy of which served as an impromptu identification document to get the rest of the recovery process started.

The bank is more likely to take you seriously if you can show, via a police report, that you're not bluffing and you're not afraid of law enforcement. A fraudster would probably not take that step.
posted by Myself at 12:41 AM on August 8, 2007