Barclays insist I open an ISA with the wrong name

Hogster43

I recently filled in the paperwork for a Barclays ISA. They've (eventually) returned the form because "your name is different from the one we hold on our system".

I am, and have always been, called by my middle name, which is presumably the reason for this - I haven't been able to get through on the phone in reply to this letter, but I spoke to my local branch who flatly said that it was impossible for me to open an account using my middle name. Security, blah blah.

Now the problem with opening an account using my first name is that I can't pay cheques in if they're made payable to me using the name that everyone calls me.

The local electoral register manages to address mail to me by my correct name; my current bank (FD) has my account in this name; I am named on my business account (HSBC) correctly; utility bills etc etc. But because my driving licence has my full name, Barclays insist that I must therefore use the first one listed. Presumably because that's 'normal'.

Is anyone aware of any formal document (if this long list above is not sufficient) that can incontrovertibly prove to the most intransigent of call-centre operators that I should be able to open an account in my given name? And please, no one suggest a deed poll document

Thanks, Rich (or should I say Alistair!)

Compound_2

I thought the form asks for all forenames. So register both your first name and middle name.

Hogster43

Compound wrote: »

I thought the form asks for all forenames. So register both your first name and middle name.

But then I can't pay cheques in if they're made payable to my middle (given) name. I had this problem with a NatWest current account, it's why I left them (well one of the main reasons). Not perhaps a problem with an ISA account, but it's the principle; and also, if I started having accounts in all sorts of names, it really would look suspicious.

LittleVoice

You would not be having accounts in all sorts of names - only two basic variations depending on which of your forenames is used.

How many cheques would you be paying into your ISA in one year, given that you can only put a total of £3K in? Pay the cheques into an account with the correct name and if that's not the ISA, write your own cheque to the ISA account using the correct name. HTMS.

Compound_2

There are no ‘correct’ and ‘wrong’ names; they are both official. I know someone who has no trouble paying cheques to middle + last name into NatWest account of first + middle + last name. However, the first and middle name begin with the same letter, so that may help. Account documents used to pay in cheques usually contain only initials so as long as the first letter of the first name on the cheque matches initials (and the surnames match) I don’t think banks bother to check further. Most cheque payees are written with initials anyway. In the OP’s case, title + surname may be the best option. I’m sure Mr Blair has no problems even though none of his real initials is T.

It might be rather more difficult if you're paying in using a handwritten slip, as this is where much fraud is attempted. They will check the name in the system. I think NatWest is the only bank to withdraw blank slips (it was precisely because of fraudulent use).

I don’t think LittleVoice’s method will work. Barclays insist you open the account with a cheque not only payable to but also drawn in your name. So if the name printed on your cheques differs from the name you’re using at Barclays, it could be a problem.

Hogster43

I've just had another very frustrating call with Barclays. And yes, the lady did suggest deed poll! 'Please could you change your name to suit our computer system'. She tried to tell me it's the law that my account has to include all my names - fine, but the law doesn't say that I have to be called by the first one, does it?

LittleVoice - although your suggestion might work (or not, if Compound's point is correct), I think it would start to look suspicious if someone ever investigated me. And since I run my own business, that possibility isn't so remote.

Compound - unfortunately my initials are different so I can't work round it that way. And I was once prevented from paying a cheque to 'Richard' into my old NatWest account (which used my initials A R). Can't remember whether the slip was handwritten or printed now, it was a long while ago.

Chadsman

If you receive a cheque payable to you with your middle name pay it into your current account and write yourself a cheque payable to you using your first name.

sarah998

Chadsman wrote: »

If you receive a cheque payable to you with your middle name pay it into your current account and write yourself a cheque payable to you using your first name.

...or start using your proper name. :eek: