Address Change

harshitguptaiitr

What are the legal guidelines for banks to allow change of address?

I have a bank account with a bank name S (full name not disclosed), which has very limited branches in the UK.

To change address, I have to provide an ID proof, a proof of residency less than 3 months old and fill a form with mother's maiden name and my national insurance number.

I then have to either post these documents or travel to the branch to get the address change.

When I phone the bank, they ask for security information like full name, date of birth, mother maiden name, account number, address on account with postcode - yet they can't do address change over the phone.

There is a MAIL facility from online banking account, and when I login and attach all ID proof, residential proof and new address - they still refuse to do the address change on my account, since the form hasn't been sent to them personally in branch or in post.

Is this legal to have such an unfair procedure for address change?

Also is it legal to ask for national insurance number and mother maiden name on a form and ask a banking customer to send this information via post?

Any help is really appreciated

Thanks

paragon909

The bank is just trying to protect you from fraud or your account going into the wrong hands... You never mentioned what bank... But it seems standard policy to what they are asking you to do.

Either find a bank closer to your house or travel or send documents.... They won't just change the address over the phone because you pass security.

PeacefulWaters

There is no law that requires them to operate a mandated change of address process in line with other institutions.

They can do their own thing.

harshitguptaiitr

What happens if the post gets lost or ends up in wrong hand.

A post containing my ID proof, proof of address, mother maiden name, national insurance number

Why doesn't the MAIL facility from the online banking is sufficient enough for a change of address?

eskbanker

There's no point in asking questions like that on here - you've been advised by the bank what their process is and it won't be negotiable....

cifpower

harshitguptaiitr wrote: »

What happens if the post gets lost or ends up in wrong hand.

A post containing my ID proof, proof of address, mother maiden name, national insurance number

Why doesn't the MAIL facility from the online banking is sufficient enough for a change of address?

Then I would advise sending in special delivery in one of those silver bags.

Up to each bank how it wants to process an address change. If you are not happy with their methods you should switch away.

Is this Handelsbanken by any chance?

System

If you are getting your mail redirected then just close the account.

Problem solved.