Cant close an old account :(

jediwalker

I have a current account with a long gone ex - the bank say it can not be closed without both signatures - but I havent seen the guy for 10 years, and have no idea where he lives...


The CRA have an association which has caused HMRC to accuse me of fraudulantly claiming tax credits as a singleton - and I want to get things tided up anyway, but doesnt seem like anyone can help...Does anyone have any advice about how I can resolve this?

Thanks

steve1980

Why didn't you close the account when you split up?

Surely you're still getting statements through for the account in question? Show them to HMRC showing that you have nothing to hide.

inmypocketnottheirs

Just write to the bank and take your name off the account.

Then contact the CRA's and inform them you do not have an association.

jediwalker

The bank say they can not remove my name from the account without his authorisation.

CRA say because there is an account - used or not - able to be used or not - its still there and there is still an association.

No joy with this one.

I have had to obtain a letter from the bank which has been submitted to HMRC, however believe as this is an automated check, and that I will run into exactly the same problems in the future.

YorkshireBoy

jediwalker wrote: »

The bank

Which bank?

the account

Which (specific) account?

Is the account in question currently overdrawn?

WelshPaul

You cannot close or take your name off a joint bank account without the other parties authorization.

You are in a catch 22 situation, can you not track him down?

YorkshireBoy

WelshPaul wrote: »

You cannot close or take your name off a joint bank account without the other parties authorization.

Really?

You appear to be able to do exactly that, for example, with Halifax accounts...

If you open a joint account with another person, either of you can withdraw all or part of the balance, write cheques, apply for an overdraft or close the account without the other person’s permission.


http://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/pdf/reward-current-account-guide.pdf

...which is why I asked which bank it was (and whether the account was overdrawn...because the overdrawn state will overide that condition).

madgagoo

As the poster above Says, not all banks require both signatures to close an account.

If it's with Natwest then you can close it with one signature, unless it was specifically set up as both to sign(it would be unusual if it was).

Just send a written request to the branch asking for the account to be closed.

pmduk

It depends how the account was set up. Either to sign or both to draw, They mean exactly what they say. If necessary you can submit a notice of correction to the CRAs explaining the situation. They are legally obliged to show this as part of any credit check.

ses6jwg

most joint accounts are set up as either to sign unless you were particularly untrustworthy of one another.

usually you can close a joint account with 1 signature

bridgend_girl

I had a similar problem with my ex husband who refused to let go of our relationship.. I finalised the divorce , the financial dispute resolution through the courts with my solicitor but Santander refused point blank to dissolve a joint account with a balance of 2p which was dormant for 7 years without his signature. I had to offer him a bribe in the end to get him to sign his consent and it took years to persuade him,

You could get a note added to your credit file to explain the situation