Ex partner of 3 years took money out of my savings

BISCUIT1

Definitely report it to the Police and chase up with the bank x

PeacefulWaters

BISCUIT1 wrote: »

Definitely report it to the Police and chase up with the bank x

If it's still a joint account why would the police waste time on it?

Gilead

You cannot unilaterally remove a persons name from a joint bank account without them having given consent to the bank. You can do this on a credit card as they are not joint, just offer a secondary card service which the primary card holder is solely responsible for.

You need to confirm with Santander that the account is in joint names, and ask them to investigate your complaint. However, I would be getting on to the ex immediately and ask what she is playing at and see if you can recover.

My honest opinion is that you never removed the name because it could not have been done in the way described. The easier option would have to been to open a new savings account in your name alone.

pmlindyloo

Gilead wrote: »

You cannot unilaterally remove a persons name from a joint bank account without them having given consent to the bank. You can do this on a credit card as they are not joint, just offer a secondary card service which the primary card holder is solely responsible for.

You need to confirm with Santander that the account is in joint names, and ask them to investigate your complaint. However, I would be getting on to the ex immediately and ask what she is playing at and see if you can recover.

My honest opinion is that you never removed the name because it could not have been done in the way described. The easier option would have to been to open a new savings account in your name alone.

I agree with this.

However, if you informed Santander that you had separated then they should have advised you as to what to do with all of your accounts that you held with them.

If your ex did not agree to close the joint savings account then the account should have been frozen and you should have opened a new one in your name only. Obviously this was not done as you were still able to use it.


https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/sort-out-joint-mortgage-bank-account-insurance-and-other-finances-with-your-ex-partner#sorting-out-your-joint-bank-accounts

So, IMHO, Santander have failed to advise you properly.

How much are we talking about? The amount may be low enough for Santander to refund you.

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

When I broke up with my ex and had to separate our accounts we both had to sign paperwork to say we agreed to this (Was a while ago with Natwest)

Did you do this?? I think its very strange they removed an account holder by a phone call

peachyprice

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I agree with this.

However, if you informed Santander that you had separated then they should have advised you as to what to do with all of your accounts that you held with them.

If your ex did not agree to close the joint savings account then the account should have been frozen and you should have opened a new one in your name only. Obviously this was not done as you were still able to use it.


https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/sort-out-joint-mortgage-bank-account-insurance-and-other-finances-with-your-ex-partner#sorting-out-your-joint-bank-accounts

So, IMHO, Santander have failed to advise you properly.

How much are we talking about? The amount may be low enough for Santander to refund you.

You don't know what OP said to Santander or what they said to OP.

Again, they would not freeze an account on the say so of just one of the account holders. Separating is not a valid reason to a) close an account b) change names on an account or c)freeze one party out of an account without informing them that the other party has requested it.

OP know the account hasn't been frozen because he's still using it.

JayJay100

peachyprice wrote: »

OP only 'substantial proof' op may have is recordings of phone calls, they would never have taken the ex's name off with a mere phone call or two.

Not necessarily; if the account originally showed both names, and now only shows his name, that will strengthen his argument, that the account is his alone, and the action shouldn't have happened.

Sadly, things can be done on the strength of a phone call or two, or in my case, an on-line chat. I had my name changed to a foreign name, address changed to a different city, telephone number changed to a non-existent mobile number, and about 5K of goods purchased on my account. The only way I found out was because they didn't change my e-mail address, and I received an e-mail thanking me for my updated details.

peachyprice

JayJay100 wrote: »

Not necessarily; if the account originally showed both names, and now only shows his name, that will strengthen his argument, that the account is his alone, and the action shouldn't have happened.

Sadly, things can be done on the strength of a phone call or two, or in my case, an on-line chat. I had my name changed to a foreign name, address changed to a different city, telephone number changed to a non-existent mobile number, and about 5K of goods purchased on my account. The only way I found out was because they didn't change my e-mail address, and I received an e-mail thanking me for my updated details.

Having details changed online/by phone is easy, anyone can log into your account and change those details if you were hacked/log in details compromised.

Removing a name from a joint account is a different matter entirely and cannot be done without signatures, cannot be done online and cannot be done by phone. If OP could have unilaterally removed his ex by phone he would be as liable for theft of any money in the account at the time as he believes his ex is now.

JayJay100

peachyprice wrote: »

Having details changed online/by phone is easy, anyone can log into your account and change those details if you were hacked/log in details compromised.

Removing a name from a joint account is a different matter entirely and cannot be done without signatures, cannot be done online and cannot be done by phone. If OP could have unilaterally removed his ex by phone he would be as liable for theft of any money in the account at the time as he believes his ex is now.

Yes, I can see why a joint account would be more difficult, and that does make sense.

C_Mababejive

Paperwork has to be completed by both parties to annul /modify joint accounts. The phone call is worthless. The bank will deny any such call nor will they have a record of it.