Case Study: US Bank $450 SUB Timeline
How I completed the U.S. Bank $450 sign-up bonus requirement using an ITIN, fake DD, and a trip to Seattle.
U.S. Bank’s $450 sign-up bonus requires $8,000 in direct deposits within 60 days. I don’t have a U.S. employer, so I had to rely on fake DD to meet the requirement.
Background
I’m based in Vancouver, BC. I have an ITIN but no SSN. A friend living in Bellevue, WA let me use their address to receive mail. On July 23, I drove from Vancouver to Seattle and stopped by a U.S. Bank branch in Bellevue to open the account. SoFi was opened online earlier using my ITIN.
I referenced Doctor of Credit’s DD data collection page:
List Of Methods Banks Count As Direct Deposits
July 23 · In-Branch Account Opening
Opened the account at a U.S. Bank branch in Bellevue. Brought a U.S. bank statement as proof of address, my passport, and my ITIN.
Aug 1 · Wells Fargo → U.S. Bank
Initiated an ACH transfer from Wells Fargo to the new U.S. Bank account. When it arrived, U.S. Bank recognized it as a direct deposit. First fake DD done.
Aug 5 · SoFi → U.S. Bank
Initiated an ACH transfer from SoFi to U.S. Bank. Also recognized as a direct deposit. Second fake DD done.
Aug 12 · Hit the $8,000 Requirement
Rinse and repeat. Hit $8,000 in DD on August 12.
Aug 14 · Bonus Arrived
$450 sign-up bonus landed. Three weeks from account opening to payout.