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It’s ‘crazy’ that banks don’t accept NHI card as ID- Hon Skelton

Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), left, has said it is ‘crazy’ that banks in the Virgin Islands are refusing to accept a National Health Insurance (NHI) card as a valid form of identification. Photo: VINO/File
Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), the Minister for Health and Social Development, told the House of Assembly on March 1, 2017 that Government needs to do something about the issue of banks in the Virgin Islands refusing to accept a National Health Insurance (NHI) card as a valid form of identification. Photo: VINO/File
Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), the Minister for Health and Social Development, told the House of Assembly on March 1, 2017 that Government needs to do something about the issue of banks in the Virgin Islands refusing to accept a National Health Insurance (NHI) card as a valid form of identification. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A concern that members of the public have raised before- banks refusing to accept a National Health Insurance (NHI) card as a form of identification- was brought to the House of Assembly on March 1, 2017 by Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL).

Speaking during the debate on the Appropriation Act of 2017, Hon Skelton said a lady approached him recently and said she went to the bank and was told she needed two forms of identification to do her transaction. The Minister said the woman didn’t have a driver’s license but had her passport and the NHI card.

“She gave them the NHI card and they said that is not an identification card. How is that possible? That is a better identification card than a driver’s license and a social security card because everybody in the country got to have one of those. That is a national identification card,” Hon Skelton lamented, adding that the NHI card is a “picture card, is an ID, is a Government issued card.”

“That is crazy, Madam Speaker. What do we need to do to stop this?”

Someone in the House then suggested that he speak to the Financial Services Commission (FSC).

“I spoke to the honcho up there [and] he said he has nothing to do with that.

“Madam Speaker, something is wrong. I don’t understand. This is a government issued card, your picture on it, your date of birth, your everything on it. But how can we fix this?”

One of the reasons given by one of the banks in the Virgin Islands for not recognising the NHI card as a valid form of identification is that it does not have an expiration date.

It should be noted that apart from banks, other businesses, including money transfer entities, also do not accept the Government of the Virgin Islands issued National Health Insurance (NHI) card.

33 Responses to “It’s ‘crazy’ that banks don’t accept NHI card as ID- Hon Skelton”

  • Just saying (02/03/2017, 16:12) Like (8) Dislike (9) Reply
    It has no signature so why take it?
    • Jacperlance (02/03/2017, 18:08) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
      @just saying, but it have a photo ID so what signature it needs
    • islander (03/03/2017, 17:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      It does matter if it doesn't have a signature! Any ID issued by the Government should class as a valid form of Identification whether primary or secondary!!
  • Xxx (02/03/2017, 16:29) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    So do something about it from complaing
  • HAHA (02/03/2017, 16:51) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    “I spoke to the honcho up there [and] he said he has nothing to do with that.

    Boy Ronnie you're the best! Ah LAUGH!!!! LOL!!!!
  • wize up (02/03/2017, 17:15) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Skelton is one of the law makers; simply bring a motion to the house seeking to make the NHI cards a lawful form of ID in the territory: drivers license and passports are currently the most legal forms of ID in the territory....
    • Why (02/03/2017, 21:34) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
      The rule is govt issued ID. The NHI card is issued by a govt body so you dont need a law for that just simple common sense. If its an out of the ordinary transaction there are easy ways to verify if the presenter is indeed who they say they are. We take pride in acting stupid around here.
  • nonsense (02/03/2017, 17:18) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hon Skeleton I second that I was shocked they are out of place.
    • Law approved (02/03/2017, 23:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      An insurance card is not a form of ID, elsewhere. Use your official, government Passport or Driver License. If your government passes a law, stating that your Insurance Card which has your photo and signature is a legal form of ID for the BVI, then you may use it as one.
      • @Law Approved (03/03/2017, 09:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        That's because most insurance cards DO NOT have your photo on it!!!!!!!!!
  • EE mother (02/03/2017, 17:22) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    The same thing happened to me. The cashier told me it is not a government issued ID, I said its the VI Social Security Board, of course it has to do with Government. She wouldn't take it. Ludicrous!!!
  • SKA (02/03/2017, 17:51) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    That is because the BVI backwards as F. I use it as an ID for my minor child to travel to the USA mainland on her birth certificate.
  • Well (02/03/2017, 18:05) Like (9) Dislike (13) Reply
    Not because it is an ID card let me tell you the NHI only can use for medical services. Why these people in a third world island do not make the residents get ID cards where in this world you can use a medical ID to do banking you all are laughing stock to the rest of the world.
    • Fools (03/03/2017, 12:33) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      It is a National ID! It's a NATIONAL Health Insurance Card issued by a Government body! Normal Insurance Cards do not have your picture on it so the comparison is useless.
  • dah should hold ayo (02/03/2017, 19:04) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    That's to show ayo how stupid we are
  • tola (02/03/2017, 20:08) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Same thing I said to the young lady in scotia why nhi card not accepted but social security card accepted hmmm
  • MEME (02/03/2017, 20:15) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Crazy, crazy. I got turned away from a bank today. Tried to make a deposit without card, only ID on me was an NHI card, bank rep said it was not acceptable because it did not have an expiration date.
    • ... (03/03/2017, 01:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yessssd that's exactly what they all day and the funny thing about your scenario is that you don't need ID to deposit (well the banks that I deal with doesn't)
  • Wicked (02/03/2017, 21:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If u think that is bad some of them are cancelling small business overdrafts for no good reason.
  • wow (02/03/2017, 23:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well First Bank accepted mines earlier this week so I guess some banks picking and choosing.
  • duh! (02/03/2017, 23:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some security features would probably be a good start. Would you trust an ID that can be made in a tattoo shop?
  • Well my boy (02/03/2017, 23:15) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Again like your HOA colleague said...ask the FSC. If it does not have an expiration date it cannot be accepted as ID. Any institution dealing with Financial Services including banks trust companies and insurance companies will tell you the same thing.

    Funny you guys pass the laws but don't know what they entail.
  • Observer (03/03/2017, 09:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is accepted when you travel out of the Territory. Could you imagine we don't trust the very things we produce?
  • simply (03/03/2017, 09:35) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Simply the card has no Signature, and no Address, no Expiration date therefore it would not be safe as an ID
  • Kermit (03/03/2017, 10:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    NHI is ah scam.. i wouldn't accept it either lol
  • Well Sir (03/03/2017, 10:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Boss Man...Simple. The NHI card needs to bear a signature and expiration date for acceptance. If you work with these system you will know they always ask for the expiration date on ID Cards.
  • Well (03/03/2017, 11:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI Govt employs Legal Counsel. It is a legitimate concern and any one them should be able to guide him on this matter.
  • just one (03/03/2017, 11:48) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Some banks here just do what they want, no matter what huge amount of laws & rules in recent times. BVI
    Financial Services allows some banks to get away with totally criminal s*** against customers. It is some
    banks here that need to get the hell out or be sued to high hell internationally. just the facts, Ma'am.
  • Observer (03/03/2017, 13:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with the signatures and expiry date and all that but why is it accepted in Puerto Rico and not in the territory?
  • what (03/03/2017, 14:41) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    So Wa aryo use to used before the NH I card? Well sa people you all are the best lol
  • Bohannon (03/03/2017, 21:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does a birth certificate has an expiration date? They allow it to be used for foreigners to enter the country. Hmm.
  • TotalShelling (03/03/2017, 23:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon. Skelton needs to check his facts before he speaks. FSC is very clear on what is required as ID. There is no expiration date.....


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