Dormant Account Query

[Deleted User]

I'm after some suggestions concerning a complaint I have lodged to no avail.

The complaint relates to what I believe to be incorrect information concerning a joint account that used to be held by my ex-spouse and I with a High Street Bank. It was unused for some years after we parted company - last year I recalled having an account with them and asked for it to be traced. Answer - No account found.

I subsequently found some old paying in slips and contacted them again giving the account number and sort code, asking them to try again. Answer - No open account found as it had been closed due to no activity for ten years and a nil balance. By this time however I had found the account book which showed a positive balance (minimal) and that the account had not been inactive for ten years as they had stated (it was actually nine and a bit)

I wrote to the bank again and told them that I would be referring the matter to the Ombudsman if they didn't sort it out. No answer was forthcoming, so I did just that. The Ombudsman has now got back to me saying that they will be pleased to act, but needs my ex's signature as it's a joint account. I'm no longer in contact with ex, and wouldn't want to ask them to sign anyway, so you can probably appreciate where I'm coming from. I'm quite happy for my ex to have the whole amount (it really is minimal), but the principle of it all is annoying me! :mad:

One question I have been unable to get the Ombudsman to answer is "why can't they act for one person"? My ex could be living in an institution , or in Patagonia. I want to complain about the wrong information that I personally was given by the bank, and don't understand why it seems my hands are tied.

I can think of three possible options - I can either forget about it and let the bank get away with their lies and mis-management or I can PP my ex's signature together with a note from me saying she can keep any settlement. I could also take the bank to court (now that's an idea)! - I am convinced that I am correct. Even if there was 1p in the account, surely they shouldn't have closed it?

I have to say that I'm not losing any sleep over this, but if anybody has a view, be pleased to hear it as long as it's not rude.

silvercar

By this time however I had found the account book which showed a positive balance (minimal) and that the account had not been inactive for ten years as they had stated (it was actually nine and a bit)

If those are the only two mistakes I would say it is a frivolous complaint.

[Deleted User]

silvercar wrote: »

If those are the only two mistakes I would say it is a frivolous complaint.

Frivolous maybe, but it doesn't excuse one of the bedrocks of the British Banking Industry from giving out wrong information. What about if the amout wasn't minimal? Would they have made the same mistake?

The fact is - they are wrong, they were told, they had opportunity to correct their mistake but they chose not to. You're probably aware of the saying "give someone an inch and they'll take a mile" - I believe they should be made to at least acknowledge their mistakes. If you owned a shop and overcharged somebody by 50p, when they pointed it out to you I suspect that you would give them their 50p and apologise - why can't the banks do the same? If the banks keep getting away with bad customer service it will never improve ...

meer53

What do you want sorting out ? If the account is closed, what are you wanting to do with it ?

If an account is closed by a bank and it has a minimal credit balance, if they can't contact you to ask you where you would like the balance sending, then usually the balance is transferred to an impersonal account within the bank and the account is then closed with a nil balance. Did they have up to date contact information for you and youe ex ? If not how do you expect them to speak to you about the balance in the account ?

As for the FOS, why would they act solely on your instruction ? If the balance was huge, would it be fair to exclude your ex,who was originally a party to the account ? The balance could have been his. Joint accounts - joint liability. What mistakes have been made ? It's not clear.

[Deleted User]

What do you want sorting out ? Read OP
As for the FOS, why would they act solely on your instruction ? Because it's me that the bank has given incorrect information to, not to both parties If the balance was huge, would it be fair to exclude your ex,who was originally a party to the account ? No, that's why I'm happy for ex to have the whole amount The balance could have been his. Joint accounts - joint liability. What mistakes have been made ? Firstly, wrong info was given to me by the bank - thank you btw for your info regarding Banks transferring to an impersonal account then closing with a nil balance (they could have told me this). If the balance was nil because they transferred it elsewhere, is there not a mechanism for recovering this? Generous soul that I am, I would rather ex has a blast with the money than going to the bank!

chanz4

All banks do this with long period dormant accounts, op stop wasting the fos time

meer53

Sleazy wrote: »

What do you want sorting out ? Read OP
As for the FOS, why would they act solely on your instruction ? Because it's me that the bank has given incorrect information to, not to both parties If the balance was huge, would it be fair to exclude your ex,who was originally a party to the account ? No, that's why I'm happy for ex to have the whole amount The balance could have been his. Joint accounts - joint liability. What mistakes have been made ? Firstly, wrong info was given to me by the bank - thank you btw for your info regarding Banks transferring to an impersonal account then closing with a nil balance (they could have told me this). If the balance was nil because they transferred it elsewhere, is there not a mechanism for recovering this? Generous soul that I am, I would rather ex has a blast with the money than going to the bank!

I still don't understand what the bank has done to warrant your complaint ? Are you saying that they told you there wasn't an account and then when you provided them with the details that they found it ?
If someone called me and asked about an account that hadn't been used for over 9 years then i'd struggle to find anything without an account number too. I can't see what they've done wrong really.

Back to the FOS, you're asking them to look at a complaint on a joint account, they need both parties agreement, it's only fair.

The bank should be able to trace the amount if it was a credit balance and arrange for it to be paid to either of you.

ffacoffipawb

silvercar wrote: »

If those are the only two mistakes I would say it is a frivolous complaint.

More like a vexatious litigant.

jonesMUFCforever

Complete waste of time posting on here and in cases like this I would like the ombudsman to have the power to fine people like this.