Halifax closed my bank account - Few questions

jumperabv3

Kim_13 wrote: »

Presumably because they can't force early repayment of that type of borrowing (unlike overdrafts which have a repayable in full on demand clause.)

As others have said, file a complaint. Gambling transactions do tend to trigger these 60 day closure notices which they can issue for any undisclosed reason they wish (it's probably that they see an increased risk of fraud and don't want to take the risk) but they can't close before the end of those 60 days unless:

• there is illegal or fraudulent activity on or connected to the account;
• you are or may be behaving improperly (for example, in a threatening or abusive way);
• by continuing the agreement we (or another company in the Lloyds Banking Group) may be exposed to action from any government, regulator or other authority or may break a regulatory requirement; or
• you have seriously or repeatedly broken this agreement in any other way.

As you have discussed the transactions with them and answered the questions asked of you, I don't think they can justify reasonably considering them as fraud/illegal.

Equally, you were entitled to point out that you had already been contacted so as long as you did so in a polite manner, I don't think they can justify grounds of improper behaviour.

Thanks for the info.
I'm still not sure what's the point of filing a complaint?
Will I get compensation for doing so, or just definitely cause the entire group of Lloyds TSB to close the doors on me?

I believe you're right there is a ground for filing a complaint, but what's the benefit of doing so?
And one more thing,
If you already file a complaint - who do you file it with and how?

Appreciate if someone could answer these questions for me so I could assess if it's worth doing so or not ....

Kim_13

In all cases I've seen on here, when there is a 60 day closure notice from one Lloyds brand, the others soon follow (meaning you're probably excluded from them anyway.) Do you have any accounts with Lloyds, BoS, Birmingham Midshires etc?

TSB are now separate so there shouldn't be any notices/blocks from them.

We can't say you'll definitely be compensated, but you have the strongest closure case for it that I've seen.

The main purpose of a complaint should be to ensure that they follow their own procedures in future. Of no benefit to you personally of course, unless they reconsider the closure (unlikely, unfortunately.)

jumperabv3

Kim_13 wrote: »

In all cases I've seen on here, when there is a 60 day closure notice from one Lloyds brand, the others soon follow (meaning you're probably excluded from them anyway.) Do you have any accounts with Lloyds, BoS, Birmingham Midshires etc?

TSB are now separate so there shouldn't be any notices/blocks from them.

We can't say you'll definitely be compensated, but you have the strongest closure case for it that I've seen.

The main purpose of a complaint should be to ensure that they follow their own procedures in future. Of no benefit to you personally of course, unless they reconsider the closure (unlikely, unfortunately.)

Thanks,
How do you file a complaint if I may ask?

Kim_13

jumperabv3 wrote: »

Thanks,
How do you file a complaint if I may ask?

Sorry, forgot to include in the last post.

It can be done online: https://www.halifax.co.uk/contactus/how-to-complain/complain-online/Default.asp

david39

Someone asked about avoiding using the number generating keypad with their online bank account.

I don't know whether it is the same with all bank keypads but I have noticed that my M&S keypad only generates about six different numbers so, if you memorise one of them you will probably be able to use that every time.

I haven't got round to trying it myself, but it seems that is very likely, after all the website has no direct connection to the keypad so it must validate the account from a set of predetermined numbers held in the keypad attached to that account.

jumperabv3

david39 wrote: »

Someone asked about avoiding using the number generating keypad with their online bank account.

I don't know whether it is the same with all bank keypads but I have noticed that my M&S keypad only generates about six different numbers so, if you memorise one of them you will probably be able to use that every time.

I haven't got round to trying it myself, but it seems that is very likely, after all the website has no direct connection to the keypad so it must validate the account from a set of predetermined numbers held in the keypad attached to that account.

Thanks, but I found this which seems to be useful:

https://www.help.barclays.co.uk/faq/online-banking/login/no-card-reader.html

jumperabv3

Hello forum members,

I'd like to thank you for your advice.
I received a £100 compensation from Halifax, they upheld the complaint, it's not going to get the account re-opened but I definitely wasn't expecting to receive a £100 compensation, so that's good news.

Thanks again for your help with this one.

jonesMUFCforever

jumperabv3 wrote: »

Hello forum members,

I'd like to thank you for your advice.
I received a £100 compensation from Halifax, they upheld the complaint, it's not going to get the account re-opened but I definitely wasn't expecting to receive a £100 compensation, so that's good news.

Thanks again for your help with this one.

Why not take it further?
They must have made a mistake to give you £100 so why not push them to reopen the account (even if you never use it)?

jumperabv3

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

Why not take it further?
They must have made a mistake to give you £100 so why not push them to reopen the account (even if you never use it)?

Could you elaborate please?
The decision to close the account is legitimate and they can close any account if they wish .. the wrongdoing is doing so surprisingly and not after 60 days as indicated in the letter they sent to me.

I did ask hypothetically about reopening another account with them but this is something I would try after a month or so at least just to ensure the closure effect is gone.