i opened an Etrade MMA early this month, got a letter thru mail with a signature card.

3 questions:

1, what happens if this card is not returned?

if you don't return the signature card, your account will be on hold and will not be fully activated until they receive the card. you need to send the card back ASAP. otherwise they will call you up and find out what is going on.

2, if i check the box where says that i'm not a citizen or PR, they ask me to send a W-8BEN, what is this?

if i recall correctly, there is a checkbox called "resident alien" i think you can check on that one.

3, can i just check that i'm a citizen/PR?

 if there is no "resident alien" then you probably have to check on "citizen/pr".

i only intend to keep this account open for 4 months.

please help! thanks!!!