Opening basic bank account

Little_Missy

Hi all,

I am looking to open a bank or building society account as soon as possible, but I have very limited ID.

It's probably easier to tell you what documents I do have........I have a recent letter from HMRC, which has my NI number on it, and I have recent addressed payslips, which also have my NI number on them. I also have an insurance certificate for an active policy.

Don't suppose anybody knows of a bank or building society that will accept the above as sufficient ID to open an account?

I really hope somebody can help me with this!

Thanks in advance.

typistretired

Just take as much ID as possible into the bank you don't say if you are a householder or not. Driving licences, passports, utility bills with your current address on them are also usually asked for. They need proof of ID and proof of address.

Mulligan1

Little_Missy wrote: »

Hi all,

I am looking to open a bank or building society account as soon as possible, but I have very limited ID.

It's probably easier to tell you what documents I do have........I have a recent letter from HMRC, which has my NI number on it, and I have recent addressed payslips, which also have my NI number on them. I also have an insurance certificate for an active policy.

Don't suppose anybody knows of a bank or building society that will accept the above as sufficient ID to open an account?

I really hope somebody can help me with this!

Thanks in advance.

Assuming you are aged 18 or over you can apply for a Halifax Easycash or Lloyds TSB Cash Account online (both are Basic Accounts), they can often do the ID checks electronically with no need for paperwork.

sweetme

Mulligan1 wrote: »

You can apply for a Halifax Easycash or Lloyds TSB Cash Account online (both are Basic Accounts), they can often do the ID checks electronically with no need for paperwork.

I'd be very surprised at a Bank opening an account without verifying ID. How do they do them electronically?

Mulligan1

sweetme wrote: »

I'd be very surprised at a Bank opening an account without verifying ID. How do they do them electronically?

Electoral Roll, Credit Reference Agencies etc. I opened a Halifax Current Account online just the other week. All I had to do was sign and return a Specimen Signature Mandate.

Previously I have also opened a Current Account with Nationwide all online, and the Co-Op, you can also sometimes apply over the phone (Co-Op Cashminder).

But I think it's rare you can open Basic Bank Accounts all online however, LTSB/HBOS are an exception.

I guess it all depends what information is available to check electronically, I would imagine being registered to vote is required.

Gromitt

sweetme wrote: »

I'd be very surprised at a Bank opening an account without verifying ID. How do they do them electronically?

Proving that someone with the same name as you lives at the address you gave them is quite easy. Sending the paperwork and card to that address almost proves you live at that address. Its possible to forge, but quite difficult. I could do it as I know someone who has died recently who has the exact same name as me and could easily get to the post, as long as I do it before the electoral role and CRAs are updated. I don't see the point though - there would be no benefit for me.

Little_Missy

Thanks for the replies everybody.

Sounds like it would be best for me to just go into branch and hope that they accept whatever documents I have available.

I suppose I could try applying online, but I'm not on the electoral roll, so the only electronic check that could be done would be with credit reference agencies. Does anybody know what type of search would be recorded on my credit file?

dr_adidas01

Little_Missy wrote: »

Thanks for the replies everybody.

Sounds like it would be best for me to just go into branch and hope that they accept whatever documents I have available.

I suppose I could try applying online, but I'm not on the electoral roll, so the only electronic check that could be done would be with credit reference agencies. Does anybody know what type of search would be recorded on my credit file?

Depends on the account you apply for, it will either be a full credit check, or an ID check.

Little_Missy

dr_adidas01 wrote: »

Depends on the account you apply for, it will either be a full credit check, or an ID check.

Hi dr_adidas01

I plan to apply for a basic no frills account (i.e. no overdraft, no debit card, etc.), as I think it would be best given my circumstances. Do you think that this would require only an ID check on my credit file?

Thanks.

dr_adidas01

Little_Missy wrote: »

Hi dr_adidas01

I plan to apply for a basic no frills account (i.e. no overdraft, no debit card, etc.), as I think it would be best given my circumstances. Do you think that this would require only an ID check on my credit file?

Thanks.

Again it depends on the bank, I think most will run a full credit check and then offer you accounts based on what your credit score is.

I think if you go to Lloyds TSB and ask for there Cash Account they will just run an ID check but that may have changed.

Barclays used to just run an ID check for there cash account, now I'm told they do a full credit check.

I guess its best to pop into the bank that you want to bank with and then see what they suggest.

Little_Missy

dr_adidas01 wrote: »

I guess its best to pop into the bank that you want to bank with and then see what they suggest.

Yeah, I think you're right.........face-to-face is probably best with the limited ID that I have. Also, this would avoid any unnecessary credit checks on my credit file.

Thanks for your help