HELP with opening basic bank account - Please I'm desparate!!!

Taxus2010

I'm hoping someone out there can offer me some help/advice because I'm desparate.

I really need to open myself a basic bank account ASAP. Myself and my partner are splitting up and I need some way of paying my bills and I'm just about to start a new job but they'll only pay me straight into a bank account.

I don't have a bank account and I'm struggling to get one

I can't provide proof of ID! I don't have any of the forms of ID that all banks seem to accept. I can't afford to buy myself a passport, and even if I could it would take too long for my new job.

I thought everyone could open a basic bank account but it seems I was wrong. What does everyone else do who like me hasn't got a passport or driving licence?

Please can anyone help?

Taxus2010

Lith

Try the Citizen Card

http://www.citizencard.com/

Not sure if they will accept it tho. you can try.

cheap to.

glennc1981

Lith wrote: »

Try the Citizen Card

http://www.citizencard.com/

Not sure if they will accept it tho. you can try.

cheap to.

NatWest (and thus RBS) only accept Citizen Card for 12-18 year olds according to correspondence I just read (as my brother's applied for an account with them).

Twister84

Taxus2010 wrote: »

I'm hoping someone out there can offer me some help/advice because I'm desparate.

I really need to open myself a basic bank account ASAP. Myself and my partner are splitting up and I need some way of paying my bills and I'm just about to start a new job but they'll only pay me straight into a bank account.

I don't have a bank account and I'm struggling to get one

I can't provide proof of ID! I don't have any of the forms of ID that all banks seem to accept. I can't afford to buy myself a passport, and even if I could it would take too long for my new job.

I thought everyone could open a basic bank account but it seems I was wrong. What does everyone else do who like me hasn't got a passport or driving licence?

Please can anyone help?

Taxus2010

What ID have you got?

Taxus2010

I have my birth certificate.
My current tenancy agreement is in joint names so I'm on that.
I have letters from the DWP to do with working tax credits.
I have wages slips that show I pay tax and insurance.
Oh and I have letters from a couple of debt collecting agencies, probably not the best things to try and use.

Other than that I'm struggling.

Lith

Taxus2010 wrote: »

I have my birth certificate.
My current tenancy agreement is in joint names so I'm on that.
I have letters from the DWP to do with working tax credits.
I have wages slips that show I pay tax and insurance.
Oh and I have letters from a couple of debt collecting agencies, probably not the best things to try and use.

Other than that I'm struggling.

Any type of photographic identification? ANYTHING?

browneyedbazzi

Try HSBC... I generally don't like them (because they handled a theft from my account with them very badly) but they were the most helpful when I needed to set up a basic account. I had just moved to the UK and didn't have any proof of address etc but they still opened a basic account for me - I could only have money paid in and withdraw from a teller at the branch (no debit card, no atm cash withdrawal) but it meant I could get my wages so it did the trick until I was able to provide the proof needed for a current account.

Taxus2010

The ONLY thing I have photographic is an old passport that expired about 25 years ago. Well you did say anything.

noh

Taxus2010 wrote: »

I have my birth certificate.
My current tenancy agreement is in joint names so I'm on that.
I have letters from the DWP to do with working tax credits.
I have wages slips that show I pay tax and insurance.
Oh and I have letters from a couple of debt collecting agencies, probably not the best things to try and use.

Other than that I'm struggling.

Have you tried to apply for a Halifax Easycash account? You can do so online.

Their list of acceptable ID, should you fail the electronic ID, is contained in this document:-
http://www.halifax.co.uk/SecurityandPrivacy/pdf/1_338311-5_1106.pdf

You have yout tenancy agreement and letters from the DWP which should be enough to satisfy them.

If you have any utility bills, gas, electric, fixed line telephone or council tax bill with your name on it, that will also help.

pmduk

You can apply for the RBS group basic bank accounts online, you only need to produce ID should they be unable to verify your ID electronically.

Tubbss

Co-op cashminder account - you will need to provide your tax credits letter and recent utility bill / council tax bill. No photo ID required.