Bank closed account - no reason given!

jalexa

clb776 wrote: »

The financial ombudsman have put a complaint for me as the bank did not give me notice.

It is vital to "smoke out" Barclays on the clause they employed because that gives a "clue" as to the grounds. One you have the "clue" that gives a suggestion as to the "reason". If you are certain the "reason" cannot be true as a matter of fact ensure that is added as a note to the Ombudsman case file. Be aware that the Ombudsman wheels do not move very fast.

I invite comment from the "bank experts" but I thought there are very limited grounds for closing a properly conducted Basic bank account. Depositing a "once in a lifetime" windfall from an Executry I do not believe is one of them.

Another angle to take is that there is a "presumption of acceptance" for Basic bank accounts, except for the reasons given in the last column (+ voluntary arrangements). http://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/_assets/downloads/pdfs/your_money/bank_accounts_table.pdf You can test your "concern" by making a Basic bank account application with another bank (possibly you already did). Discuss any opening difficulties with the Money Advice Service.

clb776

I have opened a new bank account (as far as I am aware!) but I will not be certain until I get the card etc as I have read that initial acceptance can be withdrawn. I have never been declared bankrupt, thanks for that link. I am going to go into the bank and withdraw the rest of my money (wasn't able to before as the check had not cleared). My account has been used as my current account for the whole period! Direct debits, wages in, etc...I do not want an overdraft etc, but I do need a debit card. What are the implications of having an account closed from underneath your feet? Do I need to declare this when opening a new one? I did explain to lloyds why I was opening the account but unsure if I needed to?

jalexa

clb776 wrote: »

Do I need to declare this when opening a new one? I did explain to lloyds why I was opening the account but unsure if I needed to?

You should answer application form questions accurately but no more. Do not volunteer information not asked, it may be recorded and used against you. Do not jump to any conclusions about Barclays until the conclusion of the FOS process (possibly a year:().

clb776

Ok thanks. I will only answer what they ask me! Ombudsman have said the bank does not have to tell me why they have closed it. I shall probably never know! I think it is disgusting they can do this! Disgusting!!

jalexa

clb776 wrote: »

Ombudsman have said the bank does not have to tell me why they have closed it.

In general that may be true, however note the Ombudsman's qualification in the link posted earlier "but they should not decide to close an account for an improper reason – for instance, because of unfair bias or unlawful discrimination".

Your task (or challenge) is to keep the complaint on a factual straight and narrow that can only be explained by a "reason" that would fall within the above qualification.

Regarding which clause, they must tell you that on request or incur the wrath of the Ombudsman.

Ben8282

purple.sarah wrote: »

What is your problem, shouting at someone and using words like insane? That's totally inappropriate and makes you lose credibility. I disagree with you but I'm not going to yell at you. The OP is under a lot of stress from the inconvenience and probably feeling accused of something they didn't do.

OP don't panic as you say the cheques can be traced to the executors account, you have nothing to hide. I would put a complaint in writing to the bank about the way this was handled.

I AM WONDERING WHY MY POST THAT PURPLE SARAH HAS QUOTED HAS DISAPPEARED FROM THE THREAD (belongs between the posts currently numbered 26 and 27)

Guess my post was a bit too close to the truth!!!

PS I completely stand by my original post. Not eating since Monday and crying all the time IS an insane over-reaction. Note also that the OP's claims about inconvenience due to dd's not being paid, new Lloyds/TSB account not being active yet etc etc were all made after, not before, I made this post.

IF you take the OP seriously, then he/she needs help with their emotional state and advice on how to sort out the 'new' problems of unpaid direct debits etc; not encouragement at making complaints which will only get him/her further worked up.

My advice to the OP is to relax when they go away this weekend, try to forget about it and to calm down.

Everything that has been mentioned about these cheques is pure assumption and speculation. The OP's problem appears to be a result of an attempt to upgrade the account, not paying in the cheques. I personally don't think these cheques have anything to do with it; their value is not particularly high and the bank have handed over the money which, as I understand it, is now sitting in a nice new account with Lloyds/TSB.

Although this is advice I rarely give, on this occasion I would very strongly suggest that the OP checks his/her credit report before doing anything else as an alternative explanation may well be found there.

clb776

I do not know where those posts have gone? Nor where mine has infact changed...it looks the same to me? I certainly havent changed anything! I also stand by my previous post! and I respect your opinion! Maybe it's over reaction I don't know, but the way this has made me feel does not make me either a nutter or a liar! (insane and no credibility!). I feel that I have been treated like a criminal, and was I a criminal I would be entitled to an explanation! Imagine being able to use your bank card with your own cleared money in it one day and the next walking into a branch to have them take the card off you, tell you to sign something to get your money and that you should have to wait for the cheque to clear and come back to get the rest? How is that even acceptable? I did not lie to get the bank account, I did not pretend to be something I wasn't, I am just a woman with a family who gets her wages and child benefit/tax credit paid into a bank account and then uses it to feed and clothe said family. I do not owe the bank a penny (except for a credit card which I have had for almost 10 years which is paid on time etc and that doesn't seem to have been affected by this, I haven't had any letter about that!)! I am glad I had the sense to check my balance before going shopping and did not end up humiliated in front of others. Finally, I now do not have a debit card so am unable to shop online as I usually do and have not even been told why. Yes, I do have one on the way, but I feel I am entitled to be angry and upset at the treatment I have recieved without knowing why, or thinking the worst which as I said will affect my future and the career I am working hard towards!

clb776

With regards to the problems I have with direct debits most of them come out on the first of the month...that is not enough time to get new ones set up by aby strecth if the imagination! As I also do not have a debit card I cannot pay these? So yes, it is a problem! I don't need loads of late payment charges added to my accounts or credit file!!

Ben8282

I have never said or implied that you were insane. I said that not eating since Monday and crying all the time is an insane over-reaction, which are in my view two different things entirely.

I do understand that you are angry but you must not let your anger prevent you from acting.

As to the direct debits.

Firstly, you must contact everybody and change the direct debits to your new Lloyds/TSB account. You don't have to tell them what has happened; simply inform them that you have changed your bank and need to change the direct debits.

But before you do this make a list of everything that needs to be paid. Take this to the Lloyds/TSB branch where you deposited your money. Ask Lloyds/TSB to make a payment from your new account to each company that needs to be paid. (This assumes internet banking is not available/not sent up for this account). Or, as a possible alternative, get your husband/relative/friend to make the payments for you and pay them back.

Then, first thing tomorrow, contact your employer and the child benefit/tax credit people and give them details of your new account so that your money will now go into the new account.

If you do these things before the weekend you should be able to avoid the serious problems that you are worried about and go away this weekend and relax. OK?

Is there anything else that you are worried about?

clb776

Duh!!! Internet banking...yes I am set up on that already! I completely forgot about it! I have been so peed off about it all I've just let myself get all woe is me!!!!! I had a battle getting my direct debits cancelled in Barclays today too but that is done so now!! So i can call everything up and set up new ones and find sort codes/account numbers to ensure that the payment is reached on time! That is a load off my mind!

Also the bank gave me the option of closing the account myself today. Basically, my account is closed with notice on the 9th April, and my card has been suspended until then. Will it look better if I close the account myself, ie, a different code on credit file or something? ? Is it like a job...resign or be sacked? Lol!! Although I suspect this will negate any complaint I have made?

Also, I have a print off of the complaint and just noticed where it has gone to....Uk banking risk, advance fraud-falcons. Hasn't made me feel a whole lot better about the whole situation! surely if they felt I was acting fraudulently they wouldn't have let me withdraw the money? I bloody hope not anyway! Really scared about it all! I know what a falcon is-suspected fraud! I used to work for a bank before I had my child!! I know I just have to wait and see what the outcome of everything is! But I also feel in my heart of hearts that if my credit rating was bad enough to close an account I already had it wouldn't have been good enough to open one somewhere else!

I recently moved back to my mums as I have been having marital problems! Nothing like a cuddle from your mummy to make things seem better!