Bank account frozen and I am in Australia

mandolin99

Santander have frozen my account and have said I must go into a branch to verify my identity- no trouble except I am in working in Aus for the next 3 years.

I received a tax rebate cheque recently and as I had closed my UK current account I decided the open an esaver and deposit the cheque until I could decide what to do.

I set up a transfer to a FX but Santander have blocked the account until I can go into a branch- that would cost me £1500 in air fares, I am not planning to return to the UK for around 3 years.

Phoned the bank but they could not give a toss.

opinions4u

Email the chief executive and ask for urgent resolution.

Ceo@santander.co.uk

missile

Just what I would expect from Santander.

RetiredInThailand

mandolin99 wrote: »

Santander have frozen my account and have said I must go into a branch to verify my identity- no trouble except I am in working in Aus for the next 3 years.

They did the same to me, though I'm a few thousands miles closer than you and will be back in the UK later this year.

Bizarrely they blocked my current account which contains very little and never gets used, yet they didnt block my eSaver which contains a lot. So I'm not very bothered and when I finally do go into the branch it will be to close the entire lot.

Santander are indeed totally useless.

bengal-stripe

mandolin99 wrote: »

.....and as I had closed my UK current account I decided the open an esaver and deposit the cheque until I could decide what to do.

How did you open the e-saver, on-line and what address did you give? I don't think the bank will open a savings account for non-residents? If you have given a UK address (parents, friends) then the bank believes you are resident here. You must admit, new account opened, one cheque paid in, now all the dosh to go abroad, does look somewhat fishy.

If they bank knows you are living in Australia it is unreasonable to ask you go into a branch to supply proper identification. If you claimed to live in the UK, you have only yourself to blame.

DCFC79

OP can you fill in some of the blanks please,