Identification problems

bananatree

Hello,

This month I tried to do two MSE things:
1. Get the M&S £35 deal credit card
2. Switch my current account to TSB

The problem is identification. Both are still asking for 'originals' by this that means they won't take an emailed bill. All our bills are paperless.
They then suggest I use my driving license. I don't drive.

M&S were particularly unhelpful, have basically given up as they were expecting me to travel to the next town to visit their bank. I pointed out, once again, that I don't drive, and therefore would they refund my bus fare. They said no.

TSB need identification signing by ' a professional' - Nurses are allowed but Teachers aren't - so apparently I have to pay a professional!

Anyone else having similar problems? Why have they not caught up with paperless bills yet?!

Thanks,

joshp1993

I had similar issues with applying for a credit card, but it is fairly standard procedure to verify identity and address, as well as possibly wanting proof of income via wage slips, or a few month's worth of bank statements.

I just rang up my bank and current credit card provider and ordered paper copies of my last statement (free of charge), then when they arrived I went to my town to see which bank would "certify" them. Lloyds and Santander (who I hold current accounts with) said that they wouldn't certify them because the credit card I was applying for wasn't with them - Nationwide were happy to do it there and then and didn't even ask if I was a customer with them (though incidentally I am).

As for the bus fare, you can't reasonably expect a bank to refund travel expenses...

GingerBob_3

joshp1993 wrote: »

I had similar issues with applying for a credit card, but it is fairly standard procedure to verify identity and address, as well as possibly wanting proof of income via wage slips, or a few month's worth of bank statements.

I just rang up my bank and current credit card provider and ordered paper copies of my last statement (free of charge), then when they arrived I went to my town to see which bank would "certify" them. Lloyds and Santander (who I hold current accounts with) said that they wouldn't certify them because the credit card I was applying for wasn't with them - Nationwide were happy to do it there and then and didn't even ask if I was a customer with them (though incidentally I am).

As for the bus fare, you can't reasonably expect a bank to refund travel expenses...

It's the exception. Only backward operators like Bank of Ireland (AA card and Post Office card) and HSBC (M&S card) impose this over-the-top inconvenience on potential customers. These companies are best avoided. I didn't realise TSB were also pulling this stupid stunt. Avoid them as well.

jonesMUFCforever

OP are you on electoral role?

Does your local authority not send you an annual paper bill even if you pay online or by D/D?

Paul98

I had a similar debacle with TescoBank when applying for a credit card last year - admittedly it was just after a house purchase so wasn't on the electoral role. They insisted on address verification documents but required a paper bill with my full name on it and much to my dismay I discovered that all of my bills (paper or electronic) had only my first initial on them.

After a failed attempt with a utility (sorry you're changing supplier) letter and a couple of discussions with them they eventually took my mortgage welcome letter with the details of my full name and bank account highlighted and signposted in the text with one of those stick on document tabs!
It did cost me my quidco cashback on it too as Tesco don't do appeals or queries