Question about safety deposit boxes

[beachbum1958]

In a story I'm trying to write, one of the main characters is earning cash in hand from a new business venture, and she needs to conceal it from her wastrel husband, so she rents a safety deposit box and stashes it there. My question is, could someone, anyone, please tell me whether or not the bank she's stashing her cash would only allow her to access the box, after showing ID and proof she's the legitimate user of the box, or require someone claiming to be her representative to do likewise, or do banks let anyone who has the matching key access the box, no questions asked?

This part of the story is set in New York, before moving on to Louisiana, so I don't know whether or not that would make a difference. I'd be most grateful if anyone could clarify this for me.
Thanx in advance,

Will

 

[nikyc]

I've only ever heard that you need to show photo identification corresponding to the owner of the box. Many banks allow you to authorize other people though.

But yeah, I'm not American so I suppose I couldn't say for sure, but I would find it highly odd if the only form of identification needed was the key. Would seem like a pretty unsafe safe deposit box. I mean, what would happen if a burglar stole the key? Just waltz into the bank and clean the box out, no questions asked?

 

[Lori_the_Hoosier]

.........

 

[beachbum1958]

I've only ever heard that you need to show photo identification corresponding to the owner of the box. Many banks allow you to authorize other people though.

But yeah, I'm not American so I suppose I couldn't say for sure, but I would find it highly odd if the only form of identification needed was the key. Would seem like a pretty unsafe safe deposit box. I mean, what would happen if a burglar stole the key? Just waltz into the bank and clean the box out, no questions asked?

THis is what I'd like to know for sure, one way or the other; how likely is it that her loser husband could steal the key, show up at the bank with it and his ID, maybe hers as well (her driving license, social security card etc), claim to be her representative, and be allowed to access the box? Could it happen, or are there generally more robust safeguards to prevent this kind of thing?

 

[Weird Harold]

THis is what I'd like to know for sure, one way or the other; how likely is it that her loser husband could steal the key, show up at the bank with it and his ID, maybe hers as well (her driving license, social security card etc), claim to be her representative, and be allowed to access the box? Could it happen, or are there generally more robust safeguards to prevent this kind of thing?

Is there a need for the bank to know she's still alive? If not...

Hubby shows up with the key, her ID, and a forged death certificate and other documents naming the executor of her estate.

 

[MindsMirror]

It may depend upon the bank, but the ones we've used require ID and signature match for the person wanting access. If someone other than the box holder needs access they typically have to get added to the list. That might be different in the electronic age and there would certainly be allowanced if the spouse were deceased or mentally incapacitated, but that'd probably require lawyers. All of it may depend upon the state.

Here's a link http://moneysafebox.com/questions---answer.html
-MM

 

[beachbum1958]

Is there a need for the bank to know she's still alive? If not...

Hubby shows up with the key, her ID, and a forged death certificate and other documents naming the executor of her estate.

Thank you WH, that never occurred to me, and certainly seals up a lot of plot holes in one fell swoop. Many thanks for getting me out of the corner I painted myself into!

Thanks to everyone else who took the time to think about it and post their opinions, it's all much appreciated.

Will