Minimalist bank statements for ID checks?

jonesMUFCforever

RetiredInThailand wrote: »

No, they don't.

Yes they do

RetiredInThailand

JuicyJesus wrote: »

Not true. Every bank I've seen will only accept a statement showing an active account, with transactions.

Were what you're saying true then any marketing mailshot from a bank could be used as proof of address.

I recently used a letter from one bank to verify my address with 5 other banks. It was not a statement, but it did contain details relevant to my account. All those banks also accepted a generic document from HMRC indicating new NI payment dates. The only thing on that document that was relevant to me was my name and address and NI number.

I know all about this because I dont receive statements at my residential address for any of my accounts, so I am always using other documents for proof of address.

RetiredInThailand

innovate wrote: »

I don't think "downloadable" statements include full statements - they are more likely talking about screenshots and csv files.

If a bank provides a full statement to download, nobody can tell where is was printed - unless, of course, it would say so on the statements, which it doesn't.

I disagree. Documents printed on a home inkjet or laser printer look nothing like documents that are mass printed for an institution. Not least because the banks use two different types of printing for their documents; one for the logo/letterhead and another for the content.

Anyone with a minimum of computer skills could easily modify the address on a downloaded document that can be printed at home.

innovate

RetiredInThailand wrote: »

I disagree. Documents printed on a home inkjet or laser printer look nothing like documents that are mass printed for an institution. Not least because the banks use two different types of printing for their documents; one for the logo/letterhead and another for the content.

Anyone with a minimum of computer skills could easily modify the address on a downloaded document that can be printed at home.

OK, you disagree (with most of my posts, as it happens) but I know I have successfully used my Nationwide statements, several times over the years, that I printed myself from my Flexaccount. These statements look literally 100% the same as those sent in the post, with the exception of the "Duplicate" watermark, and provided you use the same weight paper as is used in central printing. And 99.99% the same if your paper is of slightly different weight.

Nonetheless, I bow to your superior knowledge because I only spent 40+ years of my life in the IT industry, so probably haven't yet acquired "a minimum of computer skills".

dzug1

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

The statements have to show transactions going through them not just an opening and closing balance.

So what happens if you produce a monthly statement for an account that has had no transactions that month?. It's got everything else, starting and closing (healthy) balances, name, address, sort code, account number

ChiefGrasscutter

RetiredInThailand wrote: »

I disagree. Documents printed on a home inkjet or laser printer look nothing like documents that are mass printed for an institution. Not least because the banks use two different types of printing for their documents; one for the logo/letterhead and another for the content.

Additionally my bank prints a load of stuff on the back of the genuine bank produced statments in different font/colour as a further hinderence to those who might try and pass off a downloaded copy as an original.

RetiredInThailand

innovate wrote: »

Nonetheless, I bow to your superior knowledge because I only spent 40+ years of my life in the IT industry, so probably haven't yet acquired "a minimum of computer skills".

I was only in IT for 20 years. I retired at 50 as I had earned enough by then to do so.

If your particular bank accepts home-printed documents then you are lucky. Most do not for exactly the same reason that they don't accept uncertified photocopies; they are much too easy to forge.

jonesMUFCforever

dzug1 wrote: »

So what happens if you produce a monthly statement for an account that has had no transactions that month?. It's got everything else, starting and closing (healthy) balances, name, address, sort code, account number

Then it is not acceptable as confirmation of address.
Don't shoot me I'm only the piano player!

iluvsaving

MoneySavingUser wrote: »

I have a Barclays cash card account - they only send a statement every 3 months - so I use that

with Barclays you have the option to print out a statement with your name and address on if you go into a bank and use one of the "Account Managers" allowing you to print statements with your address on and also make payments between your accounts, cancel direct debits and standing orders.

RetiredInThailand

dzug1 wrote: »

So what happens if you produce a monthly statement for an account that has had no transactions that month?. It's got everything else, starting and closing (healthy) balances, name, address, sort code, account number

You certainly do not need to have transactions on a statement to make it valid for address verification purposes, as bank documents other than statements are also acceptable.

The requirement is that it should show your name and address, and should have come from some sort of financial or governmental institution. That's all.