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Does one expire with their ID?

Donald E. de Castro. Photo: VINO/File
Donald E. de Castro

In today’s world many types of security measures have been introduced for the protection and security of nations, governments, businesses and individuals. One of the IDS required by government and businesses is usually a picture ID and in some banks here in the Virgin Islands two picture IDs may be required.

I understand that in the case of an expired passport you cannot travel and a with an expired driver’s licence you may not drive as that would be an offence. However, with the expiration of either of these documents why are the holders of these documents, who are still alive and well, who may be sitting or standing in front of the person with whom they are transacting business not acceptable? Here is the issue at hand which I personally experienced in September and explaining this to a friend one day he told me that he witnessed a similar incident himself.

A few days after September 18, 2017 I went to First Bank to withdraw a few dollars from my account and as usual I presented my driver’s licence. The teller returned it and asked to see my NHI Card. I was surprised and shocked and I asked why and I was told that my licence was expired. The next week I went to the National Bank of The Virgin Islands to make a withdrawal so I presented my NHI Card and that was given back to me and I was told that that is not a valid ID at that bank.

The NHI card is a picture ID with no expiration date issued by a Statuary Board of the Government of The Virgin Islands and the NBVI which is also a government Statutory Board of the government of The Virgin Islands is saying that an ID issued by another statutory board is not an acceptable form of ID but my expired driver’s licence is. So what I am understanding First Bank to be saying is because my licence has expired so have I, but there is no record of my death as I am writing this story right now. And the NBVI is saying that the NHI card which is a lifetime ID is of no importance to them. Can someone tell me what is wrong with this picture?

10 Responses to “Does one expire with their ID?”

  • vex (12/12/2017, 17:29) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good points young falla
  • DON Q (12/12/2017, 19:08) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    Mehson get the proper ID from always licking the people
    • pops (13/12/2017, 05:45) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
      @DON Q. The man has a darn point. You sound so silly. Whg is the NHI Card never accepted as an ID? Makes no darn sense. Petty chicken dung.
  • boy blue (12/12/2017, 21:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    They are excercising the lil power that they have 9am to 5pm weekdays so have compassion and humour them .
    They know you. You are a BVI institution with a business a few doors away from them for donkey years with much involvement in the community.
    Good Morning Mr de Castro.
    How may we help you today would be the courteous way to handle you instead of all the waste of time song and dance.
    You should, however, keep your drivers license up to date.
  • Easy (13/12/2017, 00:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You have people in positions who are not properly trained or qualified for those positions and very blurry guidelines coming down from FSC and bank management, which translate into rules being made up or applied that make no sense. On top of that there is no competition or serious ombudsman to keep the banks in line meaning customers here get a far worse and more expensive service than the same banking groups customers elsewhere. But here also, if a document is invalid, why not show a Valid up to date version? Problem gone.
  • Wow. U making Sense. I agree (13/12/2017, 05:29) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Here is why I agree. An expired document to travel shouldn't allowed. But an expired ID to do business has nothing to do with the date the purpose of it for doing business is verify or clarify or to be certain that the person whom is conducting the business are who they say they are and they are standing there in the presence of whoever is requiring the ID and that person is satisfied that you are who you say you are.. Date is totally irrelevant. We need to be blind go the messenger and open our minds to the message.... As for national bank not taking a National ID NHI. Only thing that make sense here is that the teller must have made a mistake it cannot be a Bank Policy.. If it is, its wrong...Mr Decastro i don't know much about you. This is a lot of courage and wisdom.. Keep your head up. U sse, what I realized in Life who people like is always right to them no matter how wrong they are and who people don't like is always wrong to them no matter how right they are.. Because they have no God in them.
  • wize up (13/12/2017, 10:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Decastro welcome to modern day BVI......
  • ta ta (13/12/2017, 19:31) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very good piece and weighty question Donald
  • Outsider (14/12/2017, 23:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    As always, top marks Mr de Castro. Keep it up. Write more!

    Although I am not a Virgin Islander and am an immigrant worker, I enjoy reading your pieces.
  • Lawyer (15/12/2017, 10:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I always wonder why they don't respect the NHI ID cards. Maybe someone in the bank could answer this question, because when you have to get your NHI card, you have to present a passport. It is no different from obtaining a driver's license.
    I do understand that banks have to be very careful when transacting busy and to guard against fraud and identity thieves. So they set policies that the junior staffs have to follow. There should some flexibility that allows the senior staff to make a judgment call. Like in Mr. DeCastro's case. I remember the days when you went into the bank to cash a check without ID the cashier would ask you if you knew anyone in the bank that can verify your id. And usually there was someone who did and they would signed to it. I am sure everyone in that bank know Mr. DeCastro like they know Donald the Duck.


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