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First Direct want proof of identity years after account opened: anyone else affected?
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If any new customers were asked for these documents and didn't comply i would imagine they wouldn't be offered an account. I think if your OH wants to keep the account, he will need to comply with their request.
Why is he offended ?
Because we've been with them for 23 years, we have a mortgage with them, our main credit card is with them, our pensions are paid to them and there is nothing these notarised documents would tell them about us that they don't already know. Anyway, the potential consequences of non-compliance outlined in their letter was of not being able to open new accounts and initiate new services.0 -
Titansiren wrote: »there is nothing these notarised documents would tell them about us that they don't already know.
What is the issue with giving them notarised confirmation that the data they have about you has indeed been found correct by a third party authorised to certify documents? If it is costs, you could try and claim those from FD. Though such costs would be a lot less than £125.
If you are just upset because you feel they should trust you: did you read clause 34 of the T&Cs? FD are not asking for anything that you haven't already agreed to provide. Why do you not want to comply with the T&Cs? You would expect FD to comply with them, wouldn't you? Why should you get an exemption?0 -
Titansiren wrote: »they did suggest that the appropriate documents can be taken in to an HSBC branch for authentication.
So what was it?...a suggestion to try it, or an absolute confirmation that they will be acceptable?0 -
YorkshireBoy wrote: »There's quite a difference between 'suggesting' and 'clearly stating' or 'confirming' they can be.
So what was it?...a suggestion to try it, or an absolute confirmation that they will be acceptable?
It was an offer. If it were me, not my husband, I'd take them up on their offer but they're not seeking anything from me. Yet.0 -
Archi_Bald wrote: »What is the issue with giving them notarised confirmation that the data they have about you has indeed been found correct by a third party authorised to certify documents? If it is costs, you could try and claim those from FD. Though such costs would be a lot less than £125.
If you are just upset because you feel they should trust you: did you read clause 34 of the T&Cs? FD are not asking for anything that you haven't already agreed to provide. Why do you not want to comply with the T&Cs?
Well, it would be understood that customers have already complied with clause 34, because nobody is allowed to open an account without providing sufficient information. Any anger/upset would be because information requested after 20 years of account operation would presumably be due to FD's negligence in the first place.
Plus, clause 34.3.2 states the consequences for not complying with "reasonable requests". I'm not sure that a request for ID after having had the account for 20 years is "reasonable".
The other possibility is that there are "Compliance Obligations" or "Financial Crime Risk Management Activities" (from their T+Cs), which is suitably vague, and it would be good for people to be told which it is.
And if it's the crime risk management, as several people suggest, then clause 34.5.2 state that FD are not liable for any loss arising from that, so it looks like they won't reimburse for any notarising. That'd be a reason to be irked.0 -
That'd be a reason to be irked.
I largely agree with your reasoning, although getting accepted for an account, and/or holding an account for decades, doesn't mean you have ever provided any proof of ID, and in notarised form at that.
If the FD request is perceived that irksome, there are plenty of other banks to go to, so most people can vote with their feet. That's what I would do if they asked me, which they haven't done (yet). I had accounts with them since 1991 but only really use their Reg Saver these days because they are offering nothing much else of value to me.
Letting off steam on an internet forum most certainly won't make FD change their ways. Leaving them probably wouldn't be noticed, either. Raising a complaint might make them listen, but most likely they'll just send a bunch of flowers or a few tenners and still want their notarised documents.0 -
If the FD request is perceived that irksome, there are plenty of other banks to go to, so most people can vote with their feet.
I don't personally find it that bothersome, but then again I haven't been asked to do this yet either!!
I can imagine however that there are lots of people for whom this is irritating, especially as they appear to be older people (and like the OP might not have the necessary documents to hand).0 -
It's a shame there isn't some kind of database they could use to verify the authenticity of copies of documents like passports or driving licences.0
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It's a shame there isn't some kind of database they could use to verify the authenticity of copies of documents like passports or driving licences.
As you know, there is. However, checking against those databases is not the same as seeing a certified copy of your passport or DL. Only the owner of the documents will be able to obtain the certification. Unless the certifier is a crook, too....0 -
Archi_Bald wrote: »As you know, there is. However, checking against those databases is not the same as seeing a certified copy of your passport or DL. Only the owner of the documents will be able to obtain the certification. Unless the certifier is a crook, too....0
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