Closed account for a "risk to their business"

masonic

wrangler5 wrote: »

It does make sense if you think about it. Banks have to protect themselves from potential losses & the OP fits a certain profile that is more likely to expose the Bank to potential losses than someone who doesn't gamble regularly.

What causal link is there between having a regular flutter at the weekend and defaulting on your debts? Should people who buy national lottery tickets online using a debit card also live in fear of losing their account?

wrangler5 wrote: »

Why? Banks can withdraw services whenever they like. They have stated that the OP poses a risk to their business so something about his account conduct is making them very nervous.

Yes they can, and customers have a right to complain if that happens. If the bank can't come up with a reasonable excuse as to why they have done what they have done, that goes beyond trying to morally police the OP, then I'd expect the financial ombudsman to award some compensation over this (if it needed to go that far). The OP has nothing to lose by complaining, but potentially could get a payoff from the bank, which is better than just being shown the door.

masonic

wrangler5 wrote: »

Nice bit of selective quoting there.Now try reading the other bit.

"something about his account conduct is making them very nervous."

Your post was quoted in full, with nothing missing. Scroll up if you don't believe me. And don't forget, you also said the following...

wrangler5 wrote: »

There's your answer then, gambling is considered by Banks/lenders to be risk taking behaviour, you also indulge in further risk taking by paying bills right at the last minute hence you are a risk to their business, ie you fit a certain profile that makes them nervous.

Are you now retracting your statement that "There's your answer then, gambling..." and suggesting it is not just because the OP spends a tenner a week in William Hill and waits until the due date to pay his bills?

masonic

...I guess that's the end of that theory then. So, OP, it seems based solely on what you've told us in this thread that you're being treated unfairly by your bank. My advice to you is move your business elsewhere, while pursuing a complaint about the way you've been treated.

PC_Gabriel_Kent

The bank dont have to give a reason as such in detail. It is purely speculation that gambling is the reason. We dont enough info to say and even then it is totally guesswork which wont help the OP. The OP will just have to open an account somewhere else. There is always more than meets the eye.

mattcanary

Don't be such a child Wrangler when you've lost the argument!

masonic

I think the people reading this thread are capable of drawing their own conclusions, so let's just all let sleeping dogs lie and try to salvage what's left of this discussion, mmkay?

cm1981

Ummm.. i didn't want to start an argument lol, just wanted to know if anyone has heard of this, sent my complaint away to the ombudsman anyways with a copy of all the letters from the bank, let them deal with it