Locking someone else's bank account

timma

Hi all,
I'm in a quite horrible predicament, and whilst I suspect that there's nothing I can do I thought it worth asking the hive mind at MSE in case I'm missing something.
I've a friend who - for the last 20 years - has had significant problems with alcohol and drug abuse. He's had some minor run-ins with the police, been hospitalised on more than one occasion, and his parents are currently applying for legal custody of his daughter (she lives with them full-time anyway).
It's a slightly convoluted story, but after coming into some money (a few hundred thousand pounds) he's disappeared, and we (his family and other friends of his) are pretty certain that he's gone to Colombia. He told people this was his plan, and he lived there previously.
It seems very likely that he's going to end up either killing himself or in a Colombian jail if he stays there with all this money and the only thing that I can think of that might be able to help is to put a lock in his bank account so that he has to come home (the account is solely in his name).
I'm pretty sure that's not possible to do, under any circumstance, but - as I say - thought it worth a check. Does anyone have any thoughts about that?
And, whilst I'm sure people might think they're helping, I'm not interested in any responses that suggest I should just leave him to it. I'm very aware that even if we can restrict access to his money, it'd only be a short-term solution, and am also acutely aware that he's done some horrible things because of his habit. I'm mainly trying to prevent his 9 year old daughter from having to deal with her father's death when he's on the other side of the world. So please, can I just have responses relating to possible strategies for getting him home?
Many thanks in advance. tim

MyOnlyPost

I have no idea if it's possible. I would imagine if it is it would be a legal matter and his parents would probably have to apply to court for it but I have no idea what the burden of proof would be.

I cannot envisage it being possible for someone else to walk into his bank and have his account restricted. He may end up getting the account restricted himself if he withdraws large amounts overseas

Shakin_Steve

I'm sorry to say, from personal experience, that a self-destructive character such as this chap, will always find a way to get what's bad for him. I guess you would prefer for him to do it at home, but that's your point of view.
I guess you could try to report him missing to the police, and that may lead to his bank account being frozen...but I don't know.


How very sad.:(

RuthnJasper

timma wrote: »

Hi all,
I'm in a quite horrible predicament, and whilst I suspect that there's nothing I can do I thought it worth asking the hive mind at MSE in case I'm missing something.
I've a friend who - for the last 20 years - has had significant problems with alcohol and drug abuse. He's had some minor run-ins with the police, been hospitalised on more than one occasion, and his parents are currently applying for legal custody of his daughter (she lives with them full-time anyway).
It's a slightly convoluted story, but after coming into some money (a few hundred thousand pounds) he's disappeared, and we (his family and other friends of his) are pretty certain that he's gone to Colombia. He told people this was his plan, and he lived there previously.
It seems very likely that he's going to end up either killing himself or in a Colombian jail if he stays there with all this money and the only thing that I can think of that might be able to help is to put a lock in his bank account so that he has to come home (the account is solely in his name).
I'm pretty sure that's not possible to do, under any circumstance, but - as I say - thought it worth a check. Does anyone have any thoughts about that?
And, whilst I'm sure people might think they're helping, I'm not interested in any responses that suggest I should just leave him to it. I'm very aware that even if we can restrict access to his money, it'd only be a short-term solution, and am also acutely aware that he's done some horrible things because of his habit. I'm mainly trying to prevent his 9 year old daughter from having to deal with her father's death when he's on the other side of the world. So please, can I just have responses relating to possible strategies for getting him home?
Many thanks in advance. tim

Hi Tim,


What a sad situation. The little girl is so lucky to have you trying to help. I honestly don't know what to say re. the bank account. It may be that the man's parents are able to get some sort of Power of Attorney if they are his next-of-kin, but that's a legal matter for a solicitor.


I suggest that you try putting your concerns and request for advice to Alcoholics Anonymous or similar. They are likely to have encountered such situations in the past and/or are best placed to advise a sound course of action.


http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.co.uk/


http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/addiction-and-dependency/


http://www.actiononaddiction.org.uk/home.aspx


http://www.adfam.org.uk/


The above are just some of the charities who may be able to offer some guidance. Do look out for "advice/support organisations" that probably mean well, but are private rehab clinics.


Good luck, and best wishes.

System

You could arrange for some payments to be made into his account from a suspicious source, and then the bank might freeze the account?

Perfectly innocent people seem to get their accounts closed or frozen nowadays because of money-laundering zealousness by banks.

RedMonty

Advise parents to contact his bank and raise concerns re fraudulent / unauthorised use. You are a bystander, but bank will be more likely to listen to a close relative.

Suggest contacting bank fraud dept rather than customer services.

I have travelled around Colombia and have friends there, and it is a lovely place, and surprisingly middle class, with many people moving there for a better life, and better food than France. However, like any country, there are areas I wouldn't like to be trapped in unexpectedly without cash. If possible send warning to him / restrict withdrawal amounts to low amounts.

For the girl's sake, I hope he has made a will, but I think even without a will, she will get everything if he manages to off himself.

societys_child

If possible send warning to him / restrict withdrawal amounts to low amounts.

I would imagine he knows what it's like, the op says:

he lived there previously.

RedMonty

societys_child wrote: »

I would imagine he knows what it's like, the op says:

I live in London and I'd quite appreciate a warning before someone restricted / froze my card.... :rotfl:

PeacefulWaters

Advise parents to contact his bank and raise concerns re fraudulent / unauthorised use

You expect the bank to act on an instruction from an individual not party to the account?

seashore22

RedMonty wrote: »

Advise parents to contact his bank and raise concerns re fraudulent / unauthorised use. You are a bystander, but bank will be more likely to listen to a close relative.

Suggest contacting bank fraud dept rather than customer services.

I have travelled around Colombia and have friends there, and it is a lovely place, and surprisingly middle class, with many people moving there for a better life, and better food than France. However, like any country, there are areas I wouldn't like to be trapped in unexpectedly without cash. If possible send warning to him / restrict withdrawal amounts to low amounts.

For the girl's sake, I hope he has made a will, but I think even without a will, she will get everything if he manages to off himself.

Are you advising op or the parents to lie? I hope not.

This man is spending his own money how he wishes. We may not agree with how he is frittering it away in such a reckless manner and it is doubtless causing misery to his family, but you can't stop him like that.

I doubt the bank would be all that happy to be used in this way either. Who knows what consequences there would be if the bank realise that they have been subject to a fraudulent report of fraud which hasn't happened.

RedMonty

seashore22 wrote: »

I doubt the bank would be all that happy to be used in this way either. Who knows what consequences there would be if the bank realise that they have been subject to a fraudulent report of fraud which hasn't happened.

It seems the OP has genuine concerns, so this would not be a fraudulent report, simply a raising of concerns. I think many banks would wish to receive more such raising of concerns. If not, they're obligated by the letter of the law to have such wishes anyway, even if they don't seem bothered about applying it to the very rich. :lipsrseal

I am not knowledgeable in this area of law, but there may indeed be a positive duty to raise concerns if you are aware there is a risk money may be transferred internationally for the use of buying drugs. It might only apply to finance workers, not the rest of us, but there you go.