Joint account with ex partner

benwrigley

Hi Everyone,

I hope this is the right forum for this question.

My ex-partner and I opened a joint account with Barclays when we were together and I've been trying to get it closed since we split. Barclays insist that to close the account we *both* need to go to a branch and close the account together. Now that is simply not going to happen and there is no way that I can get them to come into a branch with me.

To top it off, they recently set up a direct debit which bounced due to there being a zero balance. I received a letter with the fine soley in my name!

I contacted the bank and asked my this is only in my name and they said it is because they don't have a forwarding address for my ex. Nor do I!

So, according to the bank, I am responsible for any activity on the account including any fines incurred.

How do I get out of this?! Help!

My new partner had the same situation with first direct and they were able to close the joint account on their own

Thanks

colsten

A quick look at the Barclays T&Cs suggest that you need to inform Barclays that there is a dispute between you and your ex.

Any of you can give us any instructions about your joint accounts (including to change your contact preferences and to apply for new products and services), and we will follow these instructions, apart from some exceptions we talk about in section 6. However, if there is a dispute between you that we know about, we may insist that you all jointly give us instructions so that you have all consented to what you are asking us to do.

I cannot find anything in the T&Cs that states that both parties of a joint account need to agree to closure of an account, let alone that both have to come to a branch. Section 11 of the T&Cs deals with closing of accounts.

I would suggest you raise a written complaint with Barclays asap, and request that they either immediately close the account or at a minimum put an immediate stop to all transactions that aren't agreed by both of you. If Barclays do not solve the issue to your satisfaction within 8 weeks, take them to the FOS. In fact, ring the FOS first thing tomorrow morning and ask them help you with your complaint to Barclays.

BTW, it wasn't Barclays who set up the DD - - if it wasn't you, it must have been your ex partner who did it.

Think long and hard before you ever agree to hold any joint account of any sort with anyone else.

benwrigley

Wow brilliant advice thank you!

Yes it was my ex that set it up.

I will follow your advice.

Thank again!