bank account closure

renatai34

i am a single parent and have had 2 bank accounts with natwest for a few years. i recently complained about charges and they have closed both accounts without warning. i since have opened an account at barclays, recieved cards and pin numbers have gone to use the card and the same thing has happened. i get all my benefits payed into my bank plus am starting university this year can anyone help please???

opinions4u

i am a single parent

Is that relevant?

If a bank doesn't want to deal with you, they don't have to.

So you need to make alternative arrangements.

If your benefit payments turn up in the Barclays account before you've been able to get the new one up and running you will need to make arrangements to access your cash.

jalexa

renatai34 wrote: »

i recently complained about charges and they have closed both accounts without warning. i since have opened an account at barclays, recieved cards and pin numbers have gone to use the card and the same thing has happened.

Are you saying you think the acounts were closed "because you complained"? If so that is something you could take to the Financial Ombudsman service having exhausted the original complaints process.

However, given that the same (closure) occurred again perhaps something else is going on. Can you think of anything?

Was the Barclay's account a Basic account or a "full service" current account. In general with a Basic account there should be a presumption of acceptance, and no financial grounds for closure other than undischarged bankruptcy, IVA or fraud. Any of these apply?

bengal-stripe

renatai34 wrote: »

....opened an account at barclays, recieved cards and pin numbers have gone to use the card and the same thing has happened.

Was the new account properly run: sufficient funds, no charges? Or have you taken it almost instantly into unagreed overdraft territory?

KingElvis

All sounds a bit fishy unless you have a fruad marker somewhere.

MoneySaverLog

I would have said if it is a basic bank account the only reason for this is they suspect fraud/moneylaundering.

laurenzo_2

why don't you try phoning your new bank to ask why they have closed your account (and also the old one too!)

thegirlintheattic

You need to speak to the banks and ask why they have closed your accounts. It could be that they suspect fraud or money laundering, or that you have broken their T&C, you won't know till you ask.

If needs be, set up a basic bank account in order to access your money.

Thrugelmir

thegirlintheattic wrote: »

You need to speak to the banks and ask why they have closed your accounts.

Suspect the clue is in the opening post.

i recently complained about charges

Operating a bank account is a two way relationship.

thegirlintheattic

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Suspect the clue is in the opening post.



Operating a bank account is a two way relationship.

Doesn't explain the Barclay's closure, so it is more likely that something is fishy.

Natwest wouldn't call up Barclay's and say renatai34 complained.

Also, whilst a bank doesn't have to have you as a customer, it is unlikely that they would close an account for one complaint about charges (depending on circumstances).