Ex partner of 3 years took money out of my savings

pmlindyloo

I'm not sure anyone has read the link I posted.

My point was that Santander should have been advising the OP about joint bank accounts and what can be done.

In the event that the OP's ex did not sign to have the joint savings accounts amended the OP could still have been advised to freeze the account. Any joint account holder can do this without the permission of the other until they reach an agreement about what to do with the account.

Another link:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/ending-a-relationship/sorting-out-money-when-you-separate/dividing-up-money-and-belongings-when-you-separate/

Freezing the account would mean that the OP would not be able to use it, neither would the ex.

The fact that the OP did use the account does, IMHO, not make any difference as Santander should have explained this to him.

Obviously the savings account was not frozen. We do not know what the OP said to Santander except that he told them that he had separated from his ex.

Santander should have explained all the options open to him. If this wasn't done then I believe the OP should query this with Santander.

peachyprice

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I'm not sure anyone has read the link I posted.

My point was that Santander should have been advising the OP about joint bank accounts and what can be done.

In the event that the OP's ex did not sign to have the joint savings accounts amended the OP could still have been advised to freeze the account. Any joint account holder can do this without the permission of the other until they reach an agreement about what to do with the account.

Another link:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/ending-a-relationship/sorting-out-money-when-you-separate/dividing-up-money-and-belongings-when-you-separate/

Freezing the account would mean that the OP would not be able to use it, neither would the ex.

The fact that the OP did use the account does, IMHO, not make any difference as Santander should have explained this to him.

Obviously the savings account was not frozen. We do not know what the OP said to Santander except that he told them that he had separated from his ex.

Santander should have explained all the options open to him. If this wasn't done then I believe the OP should query this with Santander.

Despite being asked what Santander told OP he has been very cagey about what was actually said.

It's possible that they said 'Yes we can do that sir, we'll send the forms out' and that is as far as it got. Nothing OP has (or hasn't) said indicates exactly what he was or wasn't advised and what he may or may not have understood.

If the ex never received anything to sign, just as it seems OP didn't, the account would not be in dispute and would not be frozen, just saying 'we've separated' is not grounds to freeze an account, plenty of people separate and keep a joint account, particularly where children are involved.

chesky

Unless the ex is using the account regularly, after three years why would they suddenly log onto the account immediately some money was transferred into it. I have several on-line accounts and none of them notify me of money transferring in, so how would the ex know?

FBaby

I'd still report it to the police as ultimately, he has stolen your money. They will most likely do nothing but at least there will be a record of your reporting a theft it goes further.

I would also email your ex and ask him (in a non threatening manner) why he took money from the account that you thought was changed to your name 3 years since you've separated which he hasn't used for all this time, yet took money that you transferred as soon as you put it in there. Write as much as you can highlighting when you separated, that it was your money transferred, he has not used this account etc... so that again you have trace that he stole that money. His answer, if any, might help too.

lika_86

chesky wrote: »

Unless the ex is using the account regularly, after three years why would they suddenly log onto the account immediately some money was transferred into it. I have several on-line accounts and none of them notify me of money transferring in, so how would the ex know?

If they have other accounts with the same bank they may just all appear in a list. So they may not have been using it but then one day saw money appear in it and decided to take advantage.

onomatopoeia99

C_Mababejive wrote: »

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.

Certainly wasn't the case when my ex closed our joint account by telephone (First Direct, so everything was by telephone as this was before internet banking was a thing) and transferred the money to her sole account.

chesky

lika_86 wrote: »

If they have other accounts with the same bank they may just all appear in a list. So they may not have been using it but then one day saw money appear in it and decided to take advantage.

But surely this would mean they have to use the same PIN number and password?

peachyprice

chesky wrote: »

But surely this would mean they have to use the same PIN number and password?

No, not necessarily. My OH and I use the same bank, we both have our own log-ins. On my online banking I can see my individual accounts and joint accounts, my OH can see his individual accounts and joint accounts, the only thing we can't see are each other's individual accounts.

As long as OP's ex has internet banking with Santander they will always be able to see any account linked to their name when they log in, so if they are using them for their main bank account the joint savings account will always be visible.

Pdbaggett

Just ask for it back from your ex, report it to the police if you want but if it still has both of your names its not theft.

You will not get any hope from the bank I'm afraid. Its your word against there's and there will not be recordings of the conversation saved for this long.

It sucks but lesson learned make sure you check up on things and don't take for granted its done with a phone call and no paper work

Kim_13

You can't complain to the ombudsman without first complaining to Santander. The ombudsman will only consider your case when Santander has failed to resolve your complaint within 8 weeks, or if Santander responds within this time and you are not happy with the way they have handled your complaint.

If you go to the ombudsman, Santander is likely to have to pay a £550 case fee (only the first 25 complaints made about them in a year don't incur the fee.) So although it's likely that the evidence isn't there to prove your case, they may pay you instead if the amount involved is less than this.

If not, you've nothing to lose other than your time by giving it a go anyway.