Basic Bank Account Thread

united66

Surprised you got the basic bank account with Barclays, I have never had any dealings with barclays ever and got turned down for the basic account Congrats though Binnie

JRHartley_2

Just a note to say, the Coop have been spectacularly useless at setting up a cashminder for us. 7 weeks later and 4 phone calls and it's still not done and TBH, I can't see any likelihood of actually managing it. Annoyingly they also talked us into having a current account at the same time (I like the idea of the co-op, because they're ethical and all that), so I now have to go through the rigmarole of cancelling two accounts.

Maybe if I just get 'firm' with them on the phone they will cancel both

united66

Anyone have any more news on basic accounts? I really need to move from Halifax, the only ones I haven't tried are Barclays.
I've never had any product from them but do have defaults on my account. Is there any chance of me getting the cash card account with them?

mac500

I recently opened a basic bank account with Barclay's. The account was oppened for about five weeks or so then it was blocked for no apparent reason.

When I called in to find out the problem I was told to take my I.D. to the nearest branch and have the block removed. On the morning I was leaving to go to the branch I received a letter from the fraud section of Barclay's informing me that they had reviewed their requirements and I no longer met the criteria for an account and they were closing me down. I immediately contacted the bank fraud dept but was only told that there was no suggestion of fraud on my part and it was just a general review and unfortunately they didn't want my business.

When I arrived at the branch the manager was unsure of what was happening and when she looked at my account all that was on her computer screen was 'caution' relating to my account with the notation 'suspicious activity'. I explained that all I had been doing since the account opened was selling some of my books on Amazon and registered the new card with paypal but nothing else.

The mnager suggested I write a letter of compaint becase she was unable to see any reason for the closure action, I wrote the letter but the decision was not reversed.

I have contacted the Ombudsman and they are handling my complaint.

The biggest problem here was that I was due to go abroad to start a new job after being out of work for a few years so I don't know how on earth I would have managed if the account was blocked while overseas. I would have been left completely high and dry.

veggie55

Hi, I've just got back from an interview at my local barclays in order to open a basic bank account and, despite what I had been led to believe from the MSE site, I was declined. I had been under the impression that this sort of account could be opened without any credit checks etc as long as the necessary proof of identity was provided. As I have had bank accounts in the past I was well used to the process of opening an account and this interview was no different. Not only was there the requirement for identity etc but very detailed questioning as to what I would be doing with account and how much money would be going in and out each month...I thought this line of questioning was going a bit too far but complied...he then said 'I just have to do a quick credit check'..hey presto my application was declined as my credit check revealed that a debt had been written off...but there were no ccj's outstanding or other debts listed. I did have a clash with a previous bank over the issue of bank charges, some of which I successfully reclaimed but not before I had closed the account...Anyway my question is; are there any accounts that do not perform extensive credit checks as I now need an account for ebay etc.....

gc1967

Hello all just after some help.

I was declared bankrupt April 2010 and in December 2010 I received my discharge from bankruptcy letter from the official receiver ie the court one stamped.
I then started trying to open the most basic bank account first tried barclays cash card wrote back saying rejected, then tried rbs key account online and it said bankruptcy info had showed up so the told me to send a copy of my discharge from bankruptcy to all the major credit agencies which I. did.
I then tried nat west step account in and out of my local branch like a yo yo, the last time I was in the lady told me account had gone through but still had to be sent away for verification, she then rung me 2 days later saying they wanted the official discharge of bankruptcy letter from my local court which would cost me £60.00 I rung my official receiver and he said its exactly the same as the one I have got already.
I then went in person to my local rbs, young girl filled everything on her screen for a key account photocopied all my id and my discharge from bankruptcy letter and that was sent off last Wednesday.
While I was there I explained to her I was a self employed painter and decorator and I get paid quite a few cheques in a year but having no bank account I have been having to get them made out my mum for her to pay into her account - sheer embarassment.
She said no problem she could open me there and then a instant access savings account no visa card just a atm card i thought fine at least i can pay cheques in until i get a basic bank account, perfect got it all signed off by the manager was given a sort code and account number for instant savings account said atm card would follow in around 3 days.
3 days later a letter from rbs Birmingham saying the account had been closed because I did not meet there criteria.
This is unbareable 43 years old and no bank account, all I want is a account to pay cash or cheques in with a visa debit card for purchasing things, i dont want any cheque book, no overdrafts, no loans, no credit cards.
If anyone could help it would be so very much appreciated

Thanks everyone

cifpower

Go for the Halifax Easycash

kubica1

Hi, one of my carers is having trouble getting a basic bank account and without one, many jobs he has gone for (unfortuaetly I can not afford to keep him) won't even interview him, I pay him cash.

The problem is that he has NO ID whatsoever, he doesn't drive, has no passport, he won't register for benefits, his rented house is in is girlfriends name as are all the utilitiy bills.

So can anyone help ?:question::question:

coolesticeking

kubica1 wrote: »

Hi, one of my carers is having trouble getting a basic bank account and without one, many jobs he has gone for (unfortuaetly I can not afford to keep him) won't even interview him, I pay him cash.

The problem is that he has NO ID whatsoever, he doesn't drive, has no passport, he won't register for benefits, his rented house is in is girlfriends name as are all the utilitiy bills.

So can anyone help ?:question::question:

No bank will open an account face to face without any ID even at a basic account - Best things is to ensure he is on the Electoral Roll first, and if he won't at least try and make things a bit easier for himself no one else will make it easy for him either.

He does not have to register for benefits, but he can get his name added to the council tax bill which will count as ID and maybe he could try and apply for a credit card such as Barclaycard Initial or Capital One Classic card once he is on the Electoral Roll and a statement from them would be classed as another type of ID.

Some items from Inland Revenue will also be OK for ID which I'm sure he must have something?

cifpower

Is he on the electoral roll? If so, they may be able to verify him electronically. You could try a savings account like The Coventry's MoneyManager. Comes with a Link cashcard and can have DDs and SOs