Anonymous Bank Accounts
(PRWEB) January 20, 2000
Anonymous Banking
Austria is the only European Union member that allows anonymous accounts. The
EU commission estimates there are 26 million (International HERALD TRIBUNE,
February 17-18, 1996) such savings accounts in Austria containing a total of
1.427 trillion schillings ($ 138 billion).
Austria is number one for banking secrecy. The best guarded secrets of the
international banking community right now is the Austrian "Sparbuch". No ID,
mailing addresses in other countries, or references are required to open them.
Austria has the world's most stringent bank secrecy laws-better even than
Switzerland, since the secret Swiss bank account was abolished in 1991 - and
one of the world's most stable currencies.
The concept of the Austrian Sparbuch is over 200 years old. The Sparbuch is a
passbook bearing the name of the issuing bank and containing a computer
printout of the recent transactions. There is no doubt that it is becoming
increasingly difficult to stay that one precious step ahead of the Big
Brother. With a Sparbuch this is still possible. Each Sparbuch account comes
with its own code-word and code-number. The account can be opened anonymously,
as an "Ãberbringer" account, which is always issued with a codeword which is
invented by the account holder. You also can get a Sparbuch with a
fantasy-name (for example: Roger Hill ...) & a codeword. No statements are
mailed out, so no paper trail is created and nothing can be intercepted.
Instead of regular statements, the Sparbuch is updated automatically and any
accrued interest is added whenever it is presented at the issuing bank.
None can establish the identity of the account holder simply because there are
no records - only an account number in the bank's computer system. Even
better, it is entirely legal and safe to transfer ownership of a Sparbuch
without notifying the bank or anyone else.
Another of the Sparbuch's many benefits is that you can use your Austrian bank
as a reference if you want to open an account with a bank in another country,
or apply for a credit card or a loan.
The Schilling is tied to the German Mark, it is a very stable and reliable
currency, ranking even ahead of the Swiss Franc. A Sparbuch account usually
pays an annual interest rate between 0.5-5 %, but this can be raised, if
funds are kept in the accout for 6, 9 or 12 months. The Government stands as
guarantor for your deposit. Saving Accounts and Saving Books-with state
guarantee!
To make a deposit, one simply walks into a branch of the issuing bank and
deposits any amount in any currency. It will then be converted into EURO or
Schillings before it is credited to your account. Deposits can also be by
direct wire transfer, known as Swift. Cash deposits are the best way to
maintain anonymity and secrecy. Withdrawals can be made by sending your
Sparbuch along with a request for withdrawal and your codeword to a branch of
the issuing bank. The bank will then return the book and a check. No SWIFT
transfer can be debited to this account. Withdrawals can be made by a friend
you trust, a lawyer, or a quick trip to Austria.The Sparbuch does have yet
another advantage: whilst it can be held as a named account, it is also
available labelled Anonym or anonymous and the word 'Uberbringer' or bearer
stamped on the front cover. As the name suggests, whoever has the passbook and
can give the codeword will have access to the account. It will not be possible
to establish who opened the account because no name and address were ever
asked for in the first place.
No tax collector, ex spouse or even the bank itself can identify who actually
owns the account. Behold, one of the very few truly anonymous bank accounts in
the world, that require no address details, can be in your own or any name or
held as an anonymous account. Along with the 'Losungswort' or code word which
can be changed at any time by yourself to whatever may suit you, having
informed the bank first, there is also the Kontrollnummer for added security.
This is a set of figures either on the inside of the Sparbuch, which will
be held by the bank on computer. Inflation-rate June 1997: 1.2%. 1998: 0.9%
1999: 0.1%.
These really are ideal accounts for stashing away that emergency nest-egg,
that one day might prove essential
The Austrian deposit-books will be automatically transformed in the European
money EURO without costs.
More information: http://pages.hotbot.com/advice/anonymousbank/index.html
