Natwest frozen bank account

bgraffy

Hi guys,

I have a question for people who know a little about bank accounts and can advise me on something that has happened and put me in extreme difficulty,

I've not worked now due to being unfit for work for over a year now, and since then my cash flow hasn't been good at the best of times, luckily when I was working I made some investments in Bitcoin which has come in handy, as I have sold the currency for cash, specifically bank transfers.

Natwest has done this before to me, I've had loads of payments into my account both from work, and benefits, someone had tried to reverse a transaction and my bank froze my account without calling me or writing to me, so when I tried to take cash out I got an error, I called them and they said you need to speak to the "Fraud team" and they'd like to speak to you, well why not call me? Cut a long story short I was put through to the fraud team and they asked me about a transaction in which I told them exactly what it was for, they then told me someone had disputed it, I asked them if there was any evidence that could support their claims, and also why my bank was taking someone elses word over mine? I was abroad at the time visiting family, I said I'd have to contact the embassy, they put me on hold for 2 minutes whilst they spoke to their manager and unblocked my account.

The same thing has happened again 3 months later, someone has tried to reverse a £50 payment and on a Friday night Natwest has decided to block my account again! I had no money on me, I only knew when trying to take cash from my bank, I called them for 2 hour straight before giving up, I then got through at 2am and questioned why they were closing my account leaving me with no money or anything? I only have around £100 in the account as it is, and that's all my money.

I had the same response, you need to speak to the fraud team in a specific department but they only work weekdays, luckily I went to a branch and asked what the hell was going on? Are you going to leave me with no money? Basically, they only gave me a number and said they were definitely open over the weekend, but I refused to leave because how can they just hold my cash? The bank called the police and I was escorted out of the bank but did as they said and called the number, but they told me they don't work on weekends, again.

My question is what rights do the bank have to freeze my account? I know they can if suspicious activity is detected, but do they need to provide a reason? or report it to the police? It's obviously someone trying to DE-fraud me, yet I am being treated as the person who's a fraudster! What are my rights here? legally?

Thanks,
Benny

agrinnall

bgraffy wrote: »

My question is what rights do the bank have to freeze my account?

Terms & Conditions that you agree to, backed up by legislation.

This is one of several reasons why you need to have accounts with at least two unconnected financial institutions.

jonesMUFCforever

The word 'Bitcoin' IMO is the real problem.