Close bank account - they wont

bigbone

I have written to the Halifax on three occasions now and asked them to close my account. The will not do this without confirming my identity.
This would have been confirmed when opening the account as this is the law I understand.
I don't want to have to provide more documentation JUST to close the account. They say it is law though.

Anyone got any thoughts or confirmation of wha they are saying is correct?

Thanks

Svenena

I imagine this is to make sure it's actually you closing the account, and not just some random person. I would have thought a signature would be enough for this, but Halifax seem to ask people into branch to verify their identity more than other banks.

bigbone

Svenena wrote: »

I imagine this is to make sure it's actually you closing the account, and not just some random person. I would have thought a signature would be enough for this, but Halifax seem to ask people into branch to verify their identity more than other banks.

The wording on the latest letter states 'Unfortunately we are unable to process your request, as we are required by law to confirm a customer's identity before closing any accounts'
Is it law???

Svenena

They told me last week they had to see my ID before opening an account, by law. But it didn't seem to be law last month when I opened an account with another bank.

But if that's their rules, might as well comply. Is it difficult for you to get to a branch?

ETA: The legal stance. They can ask to check your ID whether you're a new or existing customer, and don't legally have to do it by seeing paper documents, although some choose to: http://www.moneymadeclear.org.uk/pdfs/proving_your_identity.pdf

jen245

I had the same problem with lloyds tsb, each time I rang them I got told different things, one told me they would send me paperwork to sign, then when that didn't show up, someone else said I had to go into a branch. I eventually got fed up and wrote a complaint letter, and within 48 hours the account was closed, and they gave me £75 for my trouble, so if you are not getting anywhere, complain. They verify your identity every time you call them, so there is no reason for them not to do it over the telephone. It was easier closing my santander account!

rb10

Surely the easiest thing to do is to provide them with what they are asking for?

Indispensable_Hobbes

Perhaps there were discrepancies on your letters to their records, address or it wasn't signed.. easily done.

I once attempted to withdraw funds from an account and the banker said my signature didn't match luckily I did have my ID.

What type of account is it? There are different procedures on the website for different accounts.

Easiest thing would have been to go to a branch with your ID after the first letter.

bigbone

Thanks everyone. It appears that I didn't send them the docs when I first opened the account. They did open the account though and the money is been in there since 2008. Looks like I'll have to pop into a brach then - was trying to resist on principal as I thought I had already provided it. They should have siad that though and not 'we are required by law to confirm a customer's identity before closing any accounts'

[Deleted User]

jen245 wrote: »

I had the same problem with lloyds tsb, each time I rang them I got told different things, one told me they would send me paperwork to sign, then when that didn't show up, someone else said I had to go into a branch. I eventually got fed up and wrote a complaint letter, and within 48 hours the account was closed, and they gave me £75 for my trouble, so if you are not getting anywhere, complain. They verify your identity every time you call them, so there is no reason for them not to do it over the telephone. It was easier closing my santander account!

santander account closure went better than LTSB

Degenerate

vinh1000 wrote: »

santander account closure went better than LTSB

It stands to reason that Santander have to been good at something, and account closures are probably the thing they have had the most practice at recently.

pvt

Degenerate wrote: »

It stands to reason that Santander have to been good at something, and account closures are probably the thing they have had the most practice at recently.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

ROFLMAO!!!