Back accounts require social security numbers or equivalents often. I've lived abroad and had an impossible time opening a bank account. Credit cards require t

Back accounts require social security numbers or equivalents often. I've lived abroad and had an impossible time opening a bank account. Credit cards require things like proof of income, a certain credit score, etc. A cheap Android and a cheap MVNO plan costs almost nothing, the equivalent of about 3 hours of minimum wage per month.