HBOS ARE A DISGRACE. Please read this item, as we all can learn from the experience.

JoeBloggs001

Thanks for the replies.

We are not sure why we selected HBOS but can tell you the decision was made a long time ago and up to now, the service has been okay.

We stayed with them because we got used to them and besides, most of our banking is done Online. We felt their site was pretty accurate ( we could see my latest transactions ) and easy to use.

We both have Halifax accounts and that really does matter for us.

We did have a backup account with the A&L. But recently got rid of them simply because we wasn't keen on their Online Banking site and also their local branch isn't particularly good. We did mean at the time to set up another account ( HSBC ) but didn't for some reason. We physically have the letters from HSBC ( in our personal files ), telling us what to bring into the branch so that the account could be opened. We just did not complete the process.

We don't have any active Credit Cards. That is we do have a Credit Card but the Card has not been activated. It still have the Call us to activate sticker on it and we don't have PIN numbers ( as the Card has an additional holder ).

Lesson has been learnt. We have been caught with our trousers down.

rb10

storminbalder wrote: »

Your solution is quite simple.

You need to find a new bank, and, as someone above has already stated, this time a proper bank!

Every bank has to carry out anti-fraud measures, as it would seem that this is what you have fallen foul of.

The difference is how that bank carries out these measures. You appear to think that all banks are the same, well all banks are not the same, and it would appear that you have chosen one of the worst. things may improve in the long term now that they are owned by Lloyds, but I fear they will not do so quickly enough to satisfy you.

As you are earning £200,000 per year, it somewhat surpises me that you have not previously given your choice of bank greater consideration.

My suggestion? Avoid those ex buliding societies that need to give inducments to encourage customers to open accounts with them.

Just because once upon a time Halifax was not a bank does not mean that they still aren't.

Every bank has anti money laundering regulations that they must follow, and there are often posts on here from people at all different banks who have had their accounts stopped because of suspected fraud. At the end of the day, they are still a good bank to be with, and being snobbish about your choice of bank really isn't going to get you anywhere.

storminbalder

rb10 wrote: »

Just because once upon a time Halifax was not a bank does not mean that they still aren't.

Every bank has anti money laundering regulations that they must follow, and there are often posts on here from people at all different banks who have had their accounts stopped because of suspected fraud. At the end of the day, they are still a good bank to be with, and being snobbish about your choice of bank really isn't going to get you anywhere.

Try reading the thread please. I would like to particularly draw your attention to the OP.

storminbalder

rb10 wrote: »

Just because once upon a time Halifax was not a bank does not mean that they still aren't.

Every bank has anti money laundering regulations that they must follow, and there are often posts on here from people at all different banks who have had their accounts stopped because of suspected fraud. At the end of the day, they are still a good bank to be with, and being snobbish about your choice of bank really isn't going to get you anywhere.

In addition.

I would not consider myself a snob, at least in this respect anyhow.

I have always been a big fan of building societies and would particularly support their mutual nature.

Building societies are great at being building societies.

Banks were always great at being banks (note the past tense).

I am yet to be convinced that banks are great at being building societies and vice versa.

And I think current events would largely bear me out on this.

Mikeyorks

Strange one. As the indicative figure to raise suspicion is €15,000 .... which used to equate to £10,000 - but is now a bit closer to parity.

So I'm a bit curious as to why Halifax would flinch at a credit of £5k ...... when I had a (for me) most unusual credit of £95k into my Halifax current account last week - and they didn't bat an eyelid. Even when I moved it en bloc into an associated savings account. Then back into my current account, after the weekend, and then distributed most of it to external accounts via 4 x £15k BACS transactions on the same day.

I'm a long term customer ... which counts for a lot. But so is the OP from what they say. And their series of transactions sounds much closer to their 'norm data' ...... than does mine. Perhaps the money laundering flag waving is much more random, outside of cash, than most of us believe ...... and the guards were on a tea break when my transactions (so ... a 4 day tea break!) happened?

supersavor

JoeBloggs001 wrote: »

Yes, the screen wasn't hidden from us and we saw the text "Suspect Fraud" on our account.

I pointed it out to the Customer Representative and basically said "Well let's get this sorted out then".

..
.quote]

im sure you were rightly suprised when you seen that but if thats the page which holds all your accounts on it etc there is other instaces when it would say that aswell doesn't mean its fraud.

for example if you opened a new savings account and funded it but not signed the terms and conditions it would even say supected fraud on the indicator once its signed its automatically lifted.

realaledrinker

Have pm'd you

JoeBloggs001

Thanks for the replies; without them I would have made a fool of myself today at the local HBOS branch but instead I kept my control.

I got it wrong in my first post. I mentioned I'd spoken with the Branch Manager. I am not sure why I had assumed that. Today, I did get to meet the Branch Manager. I just want to make sure that give exact details as 1) HBOS are not here to defend for themselves and 2) if this does end up in court, I don't want to weaken our position by them using this post to come at us :-)

It appears there are specific transactions that the HBOS want to see the source of. These transactions ( 2 of them ) date back approx 10 days ago.
We went to our business bank today and got a print out of all business transactions for the last 2 weeks. This list of transactions includes the 2 "suspicious" transactions but also shows all the other transactions that go with business: paying creditors, paying for office space, paying for liability insurance, invoices being paid by those that owe us money. The 2 suspicious transactions are the monthly pay transactions ( my pay and my other halves pay ).

The Branch Manager mentioned that the Bank was aiming to turn around the investigation within 48 hours. So we are going to hold them to that but we have seen on other forums that it can take as long as it takes.

Our general impression is the HBOS just don't do their homework though. We have provided them with compenhensive information now and still the account remains locked.

I was able to take money out of our business account, so the mad panic is over but admittedly, I am going to need access to some of the money in the HBOS account as we get closer to the end of the month. So I am going to keep the pressure on HBOS.

I really hope this doesn't happen to legit others out there because it's anything but pleasant.

Worth noting that HBOS did not treat us like criminals today. I think they are beginning to come to their senses :-)

ffacoffipawb

JoeBloggs001 wrote: »

I think they are beginning to come to their senses :-)

I think you should come to yours, and move your business elsewhere!

If they treat you like this, do they deserve your business (which incidentally is much more profitable than theirs, unless you have lost £10 billion or so)?

As HSBC have your business accounts, why not give them your main personal banking business?

HSBC are actually a profitable bank, despite its writedowns, unlike the "computer says no" HBOS.

I'm not impressed with their new logo ...

HBS

DesG

I have to vote for change your bank too.

Might be worth giving First direct a go (Owned by HSBC) with a £100 joining bonus, as long as you can fund £1500 _every_ month.

Cheers, Des.