M&S BANK cardholder verification

loughlini

Has anyone else received a request from M&S Bank to provide verification of a second cardholder? I don't mind supplying a copy of a passport / driving licence / utility bill but they are asking for it to be certified by a Professional person. These people typically charge £25 for their 'signature' plus the time and hassle to visit them.
Is not the fact that we have been married for 47 years sufficient proof of my wife's identity in our wonderful secular society?
I am reminded of the sketch by Spike Milligan. When he was asked to confirm his identity over the phone to a bank official he ran to the bathroom, looked in the mirror, then back to the telephone and said, "yes it's definitely me!"
Seriously pee'd off with this time-consuming request from M&S. :mad:

bigadaj

Can't you go into a store/ branch?

TadleyBaggie

Others have had this too: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5545062

meer53

How would proof that you've been married 47 years confirm your wifes identity to M & S ?

GingerBob_3

loughlini wrote: »

Has anyone else received a request from M&S Bank to provide verification of a second cardholder? I don't mind supplying a copy of a passport / driving licence / utility bill but they are asking for it to be certified by a Professional person. These people typically charge £25 for their 'signature' plus the time and hassle to visit them.
Is not the fact that we have been married for 47 years sufficient proof of my wife's identity in our wonderful secular society?
I am reminded of the sketch by Spike Milligan. When he was asked to confirm his identity over the phone to a bank official he ran to the bathroom, looked in the mirror, then back to the telephone and said, "yes it's definitely me!"
Seriously pee'd off with this time-consuming request from M&S. :mad:

As noted above, this is a current problem. Received wisdom is to ignore the request and if it causes any further issues then cancel the card (assume you have other cards?). The request is completely over the top, and typical of the buffoonery prevalent in the financial sector these days - especially regarding HSBC/M&S it would appear.

Hedgehog99

Not relating to M&S/HSBC, but I got documents certified free of charge in a Santander branch instead of risking sending the originals to them in the post.

You can also get up to three copies of documents per named individual* certified at some Post Office Branches - check the PO's branch finder website to see if your local town branch offers it. Currently £10.50 for up to three (different or the same or a mixture).

*i.e. one fee for up to three docs per person, not a mix of names with one doc each.

meer53

Surely you could find someone from this list without having to pay ?

Acceptable certifiers for certified photocopy documents: • General Practitioner (GP) • Pharmacist • Dentist • Optician • Nurse • Solicitor
• Barrister • Chartered legal executive • Chartered Accountant or Independent financial advisor approved by the Financial Conduct Authority

No_6

None for me !
Haven't been to the docs for at least 6 years and they can CHARGE
Don't go to a Phamry
Got false teeth, so haven't been for years. old NHS ones last ages.
Got good eye sight so NO
No nurse
No solicitor....why would I need one, the cost ?
Barrister ???????? COSTS
CLExec !!!!surely they cost they don't do anything for nothing !

and the last one I couldn't be bothered to type


!!!!!! 6

System

Do you work for free? Why should any provide it for free?

I fail to see why M&S can't give access to their group branches or provide a prepaid special delivery bag for originals.

meer53 wrote: »

Surely you could find someone from this list without having to pay ?

loughlini

47 years of joint bank account, 47 years of HMRC records, 47 years of electoral role, no criminal records (1 minor speeding offence in New York State excepted).
Seriously, we are all reduced to a number. The 'personality' has disappeared from our communities. As others asked in the similar post (sorry I didn't spot it before posting this thread) - why do store cards need all this information?
Given that M&S is a subsidiary of HSBC where we have held a joint account for 47 years, it shouldn't be too difficult for M&S to check us out.

loughlini

I don't work for free and neither do I expect anyone else to. However when I was an IT Engineer I would undertake simple tasks to help people under the guise of community spirit, helpfulness and customer service.
My main gripe is that those in authority set up these onerous requirements to force us to pay professional people for their signature thus guaranteeing them a steady source of income. It doesn't pass the sniff test.