Natwest closed my account and took the only money I have left to eat!

dizzyblond210

Hi Everyone

Just wondered if anyone can help?

I opened a business and current bank account with Natwest around 4 years ago. My business was quite successful until last year when I had to quit the business. I also at the same time had to sell my house and came out with no equity. The business bank account had a £6000 overdraft. I couldn't give Natwest any new address details for myself as I have been homeless ever since, but did update them with my current email address and mobile phone number.

Since last year I've been using my current account but have left my business account dormant until I could find a job and start to pay the money back that I owe. I don't have a residential address and am living on friends/family's sofas. I'm unemployed too.

Last week I earnt a small amount of money which was paid into Natwest (around £200), this was all the money I had in the world until I can find a job, to eat etc. I went into Natwest 2 days ago to withdraw the money and they told me my account was now closed and that I couldn't have my £200. I was mortified. I then spoke to someone at their head office who told me that I couldn't have the money back because the account was linked to my business account. I explained to her that it was all the money I had to live on and she said 'tough'. I said so you'd rather take £200 than make an arrangement with me to pay the money back I owe and she said yes!

I'm now left with no bank account. I can't open a new one as I don't have a permanent address and am broke.

Can anyone give me any advice on what I can do?

Thanks in advance.

Dizzyblond

delain

file for banruptcy and get a new basic bank account, and good luck finding somewhere to live. My former MIL has 2 lodgers in her house with her for about £50 a week, and you could claim housing benefit for that as long as there's a proper agreement. Also claim JSA, etc.

natweststaffmember

Simon, thankfully I know your sense of humour so I don't think I need to take a pot shot at ya. <<<slap wrist>>>>
I gotta say that this one is a really difficult one to advise on because normally I would advise getting another account opened ASAP with another bank but the absence of a permanent address means that this isn't possible. I am assuming that you are unable to claim benefit either because you are effectively homeless?
Are you looking at getting local council accommodation?

Lokolo

I am going to start crying in a minute. I swear I replied on this thread earlier. I'm so confused!!!!

maninthestreet

TBH, you owed Natwest £6000. Now, you only owe them £5800.

PasturesNew

Nobody's been helpful and the poor girl is starving.

As I un derstand it (I don't know much though), they probably can take your money because the two accounts are with the same bank. So they took from one account to clear the debt in the other account. To prevent them doing this you should have opened up an account at another bank and put your money there safely, then paid them back what you owed from there to your business account when you decided.

I suspect once it's gone, it's gone. It is in the small print of the T&Cs of the account.

Not the answer you want to hear, but I suspect this is probably the answer.

natweststaffmember

natweststaffmember wrote: »

Simon, thankfully I know your sense of humour so I don't think I need to take a pot shot at ya. <<<slap wrist>>>>
I gotta say that this one is a really difficult one to advise on because normally I would advise getting another account opened ASAP with another bank but the absence of a permanent address means that this isn't possible. I am assuming that you are unable to claim benefit either because you are effectively homeless?
Are you looking at getting local council accommodation?

Does using bold help anyone with the question of someone giving advice?

Or shall I go back to the reclaims board?

Lokolo

Go back to reclaims board you! hehe.

Also, quit a successful business, sold house, and have no money? What am I missing please?

opinions4u

dizzyblond210 wrote: »

I'm now left with no bank account. I can't open a new one as I don't have a permanent address and am broke.

Can anyone give me any advice on what I can do?

The only advice I can give is not to get any further money paid in to Nat West.

You could argue the toss with them that they have no right to move funds from a personal account to a business account. But it's likely that you've signed some sort of personal guarantee on behalf of the business (business banking is not my area of expertise, so I stand to be corrected on this).

If you can use a friend's place as a temporary address and get an official letter (benefits office?) sent through, then there's the opportunity to open a basic bank account or a post office account to get funds paid in to. In the meantime, do you qualify for a DSS crisis loan or other food vouchers?

Lokolo wrote: »

Also, quit a successful business, sold house, and have no money? What am I missing please?

The business stopped being successful and the house was sold in negative equity? Point taken though .

Lokolo

Also don't you get some benefits when you're unemployed?

I don't really know much about benefits so someone else might be best to ask though!

mandi

Lokolo wrote: »

I am going to start crying in a minute. I swear I replied on this thread earlier. I'm so confused!!!!

Me too Loko . I also reported Heinz , offered an apology to Dizzy , and some advice