As with most prepaid card issuers, Netspend must collect an applicant’s identifying information, including a Social Security number and proof of residency, before granting him or her access to an account. This mandate is part of the U.S. Patriot Act and is used to verify identities to protect against illicit activities, including acts of terrorism, money laundering, or other illegal activities. Since you can purchase a Netspend prepaid card directly from many U.S. grocery or convenience stores, your Netspend card will not show your name, but it will contain a unique card number. A Netspend prepaid card has no value until you add money to your Netspend account and activate the card. During activation, Netspend will require your identifying information. If you cannot provide the data, Netspend will suspend your account until you can. Every major American bank and financial institution requires either a SSN, ITIN, or passport number to open a bank account. In many cases, you can also provide your government-issued identification number from your native country to create an account.