Citibank Declined My Account Application "For Security Reasons" - Am I a terrorist?

ed123_2

....is your name ben lardin?

rb10

Porcupine wrote: »

(Well, except about a dozen ID checks by Royal Sun Alliance for last year's car insurance. While playing around with the price comparison sites I think RSA (or someone underwritten by them) went off and did a credit check for every search I did. So I think I'll be putting in an incorrect name and address for the initial research, and then only the real details when I actually want to buy next time so this doesn't happen.)

As long as it's purely an identification check, then that's not a problem at all. No lender at all is able to see that these are recorded on your credit file; they are totally invisible to everyone apart from yourself.

ChiefGrasscutter

This forum cannot really give an answer as to why you have been declined for a savings account on security grounds, unlike say a credit card application where there are a myriad of reasons (mostly commercial) why a person might be rejected

As already stated an ID check is different from a credit check. Wheras lots of multiple previous credit checks will flag up warnings for future other credit checks... here you have failed the ID check.

My only suggestion (as I always state), is that you need to make a formal complaint to the savings institution and if they fail to provide a resolution then make a further complaint to the financial ombusdman.

Given that recent figures show the high percentage of complaints by customers against financial providers are being upheld perhaps we should all be making many more complaints (step forward all of the disgruntled Citibank applicants...?).

My only comment to all is that complaints need to be factual, with evidence and concise. Rambling letters of outrage are a waste of time. Instead of "I was on the phone for hours waiting for a response" which is easy to dismiss, a complaint that you rang number XXX on YYY date and hung on between PPP and QQQ hours without a reply is much more awkward to deal with.

Actually an ID related complaint is reasonable factual and should be easy to resolve compared to say credit decline where commercial risk evaluations come into play.
In one of the above replies a water payment schedule was rejected as it was not a bill - This is correct. Indeed the specification is always for a bill less than 3 months old so most of the time you cannot use water bills as they are only issued every six months.

All that said the differences between institutions in the level of ID they require: photocopy/solicitor certified/FSA certified etc is annoying. Additionally the move to online billing for the utilities and credit card statements is going to make proof of address more difficult to find.


When you have sorted it out.......please come back an tell us the result.

DocProc

I think it is extremely important to ensure you appear on the UK Electoral Roll or 'Electoral Register'.

This really helps with applications for the various types of bank and savings accounts, etc.

I would like to apply to go on the electoral register. When will I be added to it?

Except during the annual canvass period of September - December, new electors can be added to the register monthly. However, registration forms have to be received between set dates to be added to the register for example; to be added to the register on 1 January 2009, your registration form would have to be received by 11 December 2008. Electoral Services can provide a list of all monthly additions allowance dates.

Check with your own Local Council by contacting their Electoral Services facility.

As a matter of interest, I checked mine out, only to find that it says, "A recent change to the law now means that you can add your name to the register of electors at any time throughout the year. If you do not register then you cannot exercise your democratic right to vote in any election. It is also much harder to obtain credit if you are not on the Register."

I get a lot of Junk mail. Could these companies get my name off the electoral register and is there anything I can do to reduce the amount I get?

The Electoral Services Office produce two registers, the full register, which is subject to restrictions and includes the names of everyone who is on the electoral register, and the edited register, which can be bought by anyone and used for any purpose, including companies who want to send out advertising and so on. You can choose to have your name removed from this version of the register, which may reduce the amount of junk mail received. Another possibility is to contact the Mailing Preference Service at: Mailing Preference Service, DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London W1W 8SS or www.mpsonline.org.uk or 0845 703 4599.

Can I look at the electoral register?

Anyone can ask to look at the electoral register. It is no longer kept at libraries and post offices and can only be viewed at the Council Offices. A copy of the edited register is kept at reception and can be viewed at any time. The full register can be viewed but, as the information contained in it is restricted, only under supervision of one of the Electoral Services staff.

Can other people find my name on the electoral register?

If they know where to look, yes. The electoral register is filed in ward and street order, not alphabetically by name, so if someone is looking for you, and knows the area you live i.e. Newark, it is possible for them to find you. However, most of the areas covered on the register are split into wards, and Newark for example, is split into 5! So unless they have a good idea of the area and ward in which you live, it is difficult to find a specific name, although we must stress that it is not impossible.

Is it possible to register anonymously?

Yes, anonymous registration on the Register of Electors is now possible. People who may be at risk (e.g. those escaping domestic violence or those who, due to the nature of their occupation, would wish to keep their identity private) may apply to be included on the register as an anonymous entry. This application must be accompanied by either a court order or attestation. If you wish to apply for anonymous registration, please contact us.

My name isn't on the electoral register but I've paid my council tax every month since I moved into the property, why is this?

The council tax register and electoral register are compiled using different criteria. Therefore, you will need to register separately with electoral services to ensure that you're registered to vote.

My name isn't on the register but I've lived at the property for over 10 years. I voted in the last election so why am I no longer registered?

If your name is no longer on the register, it is mostly likely because we didn't receive an annual canvass form for your property the year before. Names are no longer carried forward indefinitely, but only for one year, for example, if your name appeared on the 2006 register, but we didn't receive a canvass form for 2007, your name will appear on the 2007 register but will be removed for 2008. The canvass form for this register will then state that there are 'no electors registered' for your address. You really need to return your canvass form EVERY year to ensure your name remains on the register.

EalingSaver

I think you should count yourself lucky. Citibank Savings are the most incompetent bunch of s******ters I've ever had to deal with (banking wise). How the hell they ever actually manage to get any customers is behond me.

I tried opening an account with them recently. No problems with 'rejection', but went to activate it and what an unmitigated nightmare. I've wasted several hours of my life with these guys, on multiple phone calls, and still dont' have an active account. The sheer lack of customer focus is breathtaking.How they can put people on hold for 30-40 minutes (obviously I eventually gave up); promise to call back in 24 hours and not; then repeat the SAME OLD C**P a week later......

Absolutely AWFUL.

LucyTheDwarf

EalingSaver wrote: »

I think you should count yourself lucky. Citibank Savings are the most incompetent bunch of s******ters I've ever had to deal with (banking wise). How the hell they ever actually manage to get any customers is behond me.

I tried opening an account with them recently. No problems with 'rejection', but went to activate it and what an unmitigated nightmare. I've wasted several hours of my life with these guys, on multiple phone calls, and still dont' have an active account. The sheer lack of customer focus is breathtaking.How they can put people on hold for 30-40 minutes (obviously I eventually gave up); promise to call back in 24 hours and not; then repeat the SAME OLD C**P a week later......

Absolutely AWFUL.

I can't be doing with this! I was about to ask if anyone knew if Citibank could send and receive faster payments yet (the website says they're being introduced in 2009, but no update on whether that's now, November, December...), but I don't think I'll bother with them now! I have two months until the bonus on my NatWest E-Saver ends, so I'm not desperate yet.

BlaEm

Having read this I'm beginning to regret making my application yesterday (especially as a few years back I was declined a First Direct savings account for 'security reasons' - I was baffled at the time as I was 18, on the electoral roll and had been at the same address for 4 years).
Since graduating I've had trouble applying for a not-student credit card or even a current account, depsite have an impeccable credit history - apart from several checks in the last year and now a change of address...graduate in leaving-home shocker...

I understand banks are businesses, they can refuse who they like etc but it's annoying being in well paid, full-time employment, having saved hard for years and never defaulted, only to be rejected for a savings/current account in which to place my hard-earned savings/earning when I've read on other boards others who are out of work complaining that they're being offered too much credit etc!

I thought that the online ID check with the passport number would be enough?