Santander trying to steal £14,200 from me

gb12345

Azelphur wrote: »

I contacted Lloyds TSB about their policies, explained what had happened to me with Santander, they told me that they would never do anything like that, and their policies are to give 30 days before any freeze is placed on account, and that they will always contact me with any issues before placing freezes. They were quite clear that their policies are totally different to Santander and that they wouldn't be doing anything like that to me. Much nicer!

I'm sorry, but whoever has told you that (probably someone in a branch or call center) was in no position to do so.

If Lloyds get a hint of money laundering then they too will freeze your account without warning.

DB_XIII

gb12345 wrote: »

I'm sorry, but whoever has told you that (probably someone in a branch or call center) was in no position to do so.

If Lloyds get a hint of money laundering then they too will freeze your account without warning.

True, but where else would the OP talk to a Lloyds employee?

innovate

gb12345 wrote: »

I'm sorry, but whoever has told you that (probably someone in a branch or call center) was in no position to do so.

If Lloyds get a hint of money laundering then they too will freeze your account without warning.

Agree 100%. Surprised to hear that any bank staff would tell porkies like azelphur reports.

innovate

DB_XIII wrote: »

True, but where else would the OP talk to a Lloyds employee?

in the pub? That's were I have talked to some of them.

Azelphur

The person I was talking to was over the phone, a LLoyds TSB business advisor, this most likely isn't a money laundering freeze, merely a disputed payment freeze.

innovate

Azelphur wrote: »

.... this most likely isn't a money laundering freeze, merely a disputed payment freeze.

disputed by a known, or suspected, money launderer? Which would instantly include you in the investigation.

grumbler

Azelphur wrote: »

... they told me that they would never do anything like that, and their policies are to give 30 days before any freeze is placed on account, and that they will always contact me with any issues before placing freezes....

Try getting this from them in writing...

BTW, just seen this in the news: New York City Bar Accepting Bitcoins as Payment

grumbler

nelly12 wrote: »

so Grumbler, tell me what you and your humble opinion think would be a reasonable timescale for a bank/police force to respond?

I don't know. It's not my job to set this and I am not getting the salary that clever authors of AML regulations are getting.

However, IMHO, there has to be some limit in place - like in Police where they cant hold suspects indefinitely and must either charge them after the deadline or release.

And certainly, as I have said already, the "innocent until proven guilty" principle has to prevail. I.e. possibly innocent people don't have to suffer and there have to be clear procedures in place for not leaving them without any means of subsistence until they are 'charged'.

krisdorey wrote: »

The deadline is as long as it takes for the MLRO's (money laundering officers) and the relevant external parties (police, financial crime units etc) to be happy one way or the other...

...or to keep relaxing, drinking coffee, playing chess and watching !!!!!!. Who knows? What's the point in rushing if there is no any deadline actually and they keep pretending to be doing their job forever?

dalesrider

grumbler wrote: »

However, IMHO, there has to be some limit in place - like in Police where they cant hold suspects indefinitely and must either charge them after the deadline or release.

And certainly, as I have said already, the "innocent until proven guilty" principle has to prevail. I.e. possibly innocent people don't have to suffer and there has to be clear procedures in place for not leaving them without any means of subsistence until they are 'charged'.

How do you separate fraud and non fraud funds? Who is to say that, the supposed wage coming in is not part of the money laundering?
It is not as easy and clear cut as you think.


You forget that the police can apply to have bank accounts frozen while they investigate crime, where they think the account may hold proceeds of crime.

Also this is a civil matter until the police are involved.

Take a look here @ cps view on money laundering

grumbler

dalesrider wrote: »

How do you separate fraud and non fraud funds? Who is to say that, the supposed wage coming in is not part of the money laundering?
It is not as easy and clear cut as you think.

I don't think that it is easy. What I am trying to explain you is that if you cannot separate don't freeze the entire account until you can. Then set some clear limits for either proving your accusations or admitting that you cannot do this.
If you cannot do something, it's your problem, not mine.