Need Basic Account but no ID

Idiot_bill

Hi all. I've foolishly built up a large amount of debt most of which is held by Lloyds my bank . So far credit where it's due they've been really good and not used they're powers to snatch my whole salary.

However Step Change who I'm in an arrangement with and now lloyds themselves have advised me to get a basic account elsewhere to have my salary paid in to. Natwest appeals as I want a debit card - but I don't have a driving license, or a passport or any of the other ID their website says they accept. I could shell out for a provisional driving license but that seems like a waste of 30odd quid when I don't wish to learn to drive.

Any advice on this predicament appreciated.

Graham1

Some bank's will accept an original letter from DWP (if you've been in receipt of any kind of benefits) in place of a passport/driving license for those who don't have these.

Anthorn

You must have some sort of ID such as council tax bill, rent account, even your Lloyds bank statements. Check whether you are on the electoral roll at your local council. If you must have photo ID you could get a provisional driving license but you need ID to get that too.

Idiot_bill

DWP is out as I've not claimed benefits for years. Lloyds bank statements yes - but Natwest say on the website they only take those as proof of address not ID and you need both.

EarthBoy

If you've no ID at all, how did you get the Lloyds account in the first place? Banks have been asking for ID for the last 30 years now. Most banks can verify you electronically if you're on the electoral role, so you won't need paper ID.

p00hsticks

I had a similar problem last year (no passport, driving licence and not on benefits) when I wanted to open a Santander 123 account.

I ended up ringing HMRC (try at 8am to spend least time on hold) and asking if they could issue me with a Tax coding notice, which Santander subequently accepted along with (I think) a credit card statement as proof of ID

p00hsticks

EarthBoy wrote: »

If you've no ID at all, how did you get the Lloyds account in the first place? Banks have been asking for ID for the last 30 years now.

I don't believe 30 years ago you would have had to jump through anywhere near the same number of hoops as you are now.

The ID requirement has been getting more and more onerous over the years, driven, I think by the introduction of the DPA, the Money laundering legislation in 2007 and the increase in fraudulent banking transactions. In particular, it seems standard now for banks to ask for some sort of government document (passport, driving licence, benefit letter or tax coding notice) that was never asked for a decade ago.

And it's not just banks - you only have to look over at the "Marriage Allowance" threads on the 'Cutting tax' board to see the steps that people are being asked to go through to electronically verify their identities before they can partially transfer their tax allowance (although they seem to happy to take tax off me without knowning much about who I am!)

EarthBoy wrote: »

Most banks can verify you electronically if you're on the electoral role, so you won't need paper ID.

Can you back up this statement ? It's certainly not what I've found in recent years.

EarthBoy

p00hsticks wrote: »

I don't believe 30 years ago you would have had to jump through anywhere near the same number of hoops as you are now.

35 years ago, when I opened an account with the Bradford and Bingley, you didn't need any ID at all. Nothing. You just handed over your money and signed on the dotted line. Later in the 80s they started asking for ID, but I agree they have become stricter with the requirements over the years.

Originally Posted by EarthBoy
Most banks can verify you electronically if you're on the electoral role, so you won't need paper ID.

p00hsticks wrote: »

Can you back up this statement ? It's certainly not what I've found in recent years.

What do you think they check when you open accounts online then? I've opened accounts with the Halifax, First Direct, RBS, and TSB all online and all without having to provide any ID documents. Not a single one.

meer53

EarthBoy wrote: »

35 years ago, when I opened an account with the Bradford and Bingley, you didn't need any ID at all. Nothing. You just handed over your money and signed on the dotted line. Later in the 80s they started asking for ID, but I agree they have become stricter with the requirements over the years.






What do you think they check when you open accounts online then? I've opened accounts with the Halifax, First Direct, RBS, and TSB all online and all without having to provide any ID documents. Not a single one.

Not everyone can be verified online though. Documents are needed if this is the case.

10pence

HSBC Basic Bank Account and Barclays Cash Card both have VISA debt cards; their ID/AV requirements might be different to Nat West.

If on the Voters Roll then in most cases you can be identified electronically, failing that documentation is required.

rockm87

Go into the bank and speak to them, take your bank statements and whatever you can with you.

They may have different rules for directly opening an account, rather than online.