money trapped in dormant bank account

johnjt

Hello,

I'm trying to close a bank account with IBB that has about a thousand pounds in it. My problem is that they recently declared the account "dormant" and they say, paradoxically, that they can't close it unless I re-activate it again, and they won't do that without proof of address.

However, I am currently spending a year travelling through Europe and I don't have a permanent address with utility bills, etc. So it's a big hassle.

All I want to do is to close the account and transfer the money to another UK bank, where the account holder has the same name (me). So there is no real security risk. I can provide proof of ID obviously, just not an address. But I think IBB are determined to hang on to my money and maybe add some charges while it's "dormant".

I will be going to the UK next month, and will have an opportunity to sort this out. Has anybody got any ideas about how to persuade them to release my money?

Thanks in advance.

J

agrinnall

There's a lot of information on dormant accounts on the BBA website. Looking at IBB it's certainly the case that their requirements for releasing funds from a dormant account is proof of address, I suspect they will be allowed to insist on this, which may mean you can't reclaim the money until you are back settled in the UK. I doubt whether IBB want to hang on to your money, I can't see anything to suggest they can make any charges against a dormant account so it'll probably cost them to keep it.

Biggles

Usually, a bank statement addressed to you is regarded as 'proof of address' so, as you do have a UK bank account, you ought to be able to satisfy them.

Azrael_1701

Biggles wrote: »

Usually, a bank statement addressed to you is regarded as 'proof of address' so, as you do have a UK bank account, you ought to be able to satisfy them.

Im assuming the OP probably gets online statements, which most banks wont accept.

bengalknights

Azrael_1701 wrote: »

Im assuming the OP probably gets online statements, which most banks wont accept.

paper copy could be requested at the branch to satisy the other bank.

jonesMUFCforever

johnjt wrote: »

Hello,

I'm trying to close a bank account with IBB that has about a thousand pounds in it. My problem is that they recently declared the account "dormant" and they say, paradoxically, that they can't close it unless I re-activate it again, and they won't do that without proof of address.

However, I am currently spending a year travelling through Europe and I don't have a permanent address with utility bills, etc. So it's a big hassle.

All I want to do is to close the account and transfer the money to another UK bank, where the account holder has the same name (me). So there is no real security risk. I can provide proof of ID obviously, just not an address. But I think IBB are determined to hang on to my money and maybe add some charges while it's "dormant".

I will be going to the UK next month, and will have an opportunity to sort this out. Has anybody got any ideas about how to persuade them to release my money?

Thanks in advance.

J

Your driving licence will have your address on it and your passport will be ok for ID.

Azrael_1701

bengalknights wrote: »

paper copy could be requested at the branch to satisy the other bank.

The OP is currently not in the UK, so it will depend how long they are going to be here for and whether they could get a copy statement in time.

johnjt

Azrael_1701 wrote: »

The OP is currently not in the UK, so it will depend how long they are going to be here for and whether they could get a copy statement in time.

I'm with Nationwide and have received statements from them recently but unfortunately lost them. If I went into a branch in the UK, would they give me a paper copy of my last statement to satisfy the other bank?

I will only be in the UK three days unfortunately.

Azrael_1701

If you call them they should be able to post a copy out to you (for a fee)

johnjt

Azrael_1701 wrote: »

If you call them they should be able to post a copy out to you (for a fee)

Thanks, but by the time it reaches me, I will be gone. Can they give me a printed copy with the address on in the branch?

Azrael_1701

johnjt wrote: »

Thanks, but by the time it reaches me, I will be gone. Can they give me a printed copy with the address on in the branch?

Surely if you order it now, it will be waiting for you next month?

Dont know about nationwide, but I know other banks cant do them in branch.