Refused a bank account due to no proof of address

DiiFMaritime

I am seeking some advise from the wonderful MSE community,

The situation is: A friend of mine dropped out of uni and is now sofa surfing in university halls. He did have a bank account previously but that was closed by HSBC (he hasn't told me the full details). He is currently working but he does not have a bank account for the salary to go into. Because he does not have proof of address he is unable to open a bank account.

He had a prepaid card sent to my address and tried to use the letter that came with the card as proof of address but the bank refused to accpet it.

He then asked me to add his name to one of my utility bills, but since he doesn't live at my place I am uncomfortable about this.

He has now been told by his employer to get a bank account by the end of the month or face having his contract terminated.

His situation seems pretty dire and I am struggling to think how he can get a proof of address.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received

Steve_xx

Before going to university he must have lived somewhere Presumably with parent/s? If so then it would make sense for him to try opening a basic bank account at that address. Or, perhaps his parent could open an account and then add him to it?

bouicca21

Does he have a full driving licence? That will do for proof of address. Otherwise it's possible to go into branch and discuss the problem face to face. A combination of non standard identification material can often do the trick.

grumbler

http://www.mycashplus.co.uk/top-up-card/wages.aspx

DiiFMaritime

bouicca21 wrote: »

Does he have a full driving licence? That will do for proof of address. Otherwise it's possible to go into branch and discuss the problem face to face. A combination of non standard identification material can often do the trick.

Unfortuantely he does not - and I know he can apply for a provisional one but that won't be any good for him getting proof of address and a bank account by the end of the month

Will tell him to go into the banks on Monday to see if any of the banks would be willing to let him open an account.

xylophone

Would you be able to take him as a lodger, even if temporarily?

karlie88

Has he got a mobile phone contract?

System

Tax coding notice from HMRC or tax credit / benefit letters are acceptable to many banks as proof of address. This could be used in conjunction with a passport.

He could also give a relative's account details until he is able to obtain his own.

Anagran

In an old job, I regularly used to type up letters on company headed paper confirming Mr X was employed by us and that we could confirm he lived at "His Address". This was accepted by the local branch of Lloyds TSB as it was then (but not by a different bank.)

Keeping_Positive

The bank has to comply with strict anti money laundering laws. A mobile phone or cc bill wont be good enough. Utility, land line, tax, mortgage statement are the the type of thing yhey will look for. It will also most likely need to be dated within a few months.

Archi_Bald

As he is working he must have a tax code. A quick call to HMRC to ask them to send him confirmation of his tax code to his current address should produce an acceptable document within days.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/income-tax-enquiries-for-individuals-pensioners-and-employees