The Top Easy Access Savings Discussion Area

MSE_James

Hi all - just a quick reminder to make sure all posts in this thread are relating to Easy Access Savings. If you want to discuss another MoneySaving matter please do so in another thread. If it's not about MoneySaving, then MSE probably isn't the best place for it. 

chris_the_bee

jwelly said:

I tried opening a Santander eSaver yesterday, but this morning I received an email saying they needed to check my identity by means of sending two documents by post, typically a passport photo copy and a photo driving license copy. Has anyone else had this ?

Just wondering how common this is these days. I'm a little disappointed given that a lot of people here have had their account open in minutes it seems.

I received same. It possibly means they already have a customer record of you but it differs from your application. Perhaps a change of address?

Postscript (EDIT): My joint application on 11th Oct was blocked and ID was requested. However, account was unblocked and active when I just checked & before they received the ID.

Marmaduke123

I'm one of those fortunate people whose Santander e-saver was open and showing in the app almost instantaneously. I do have a current account with them with the exact same details. Just got to laboriously move money from other accounts now!

Daliah

Nick_C said:

Daliah said:

Nick_C said:

jaypers said:

M4rtyman said:

I  won't be touching the Santander account. They are a nightmare to deal with. As soon as you try and transfer any money, they will block the transfer and the login to your account.

My old man's been with them for years and last week was the last straw, when he tried to xfer 15k to a Zopa account. Took over a week to get resolved - multiple phone calls, the lot

Probably generalising a little here on what sounds like a specific, albeit frustrating, case impacting 1 customer.

I have read many reports of Santander being over zealous in their blocking of accounts for what they regard as Suspicious Activity.

I've opened the account, but wouldn't place all my savings there. 

I have been a Santander customer for over 10 years and would not agree that they are overzealous when it comes to extra checks on payments. 

Yes, I have also been caught by an automated, random, security check, and even had my online access suspended. This is the result of the efforts of Consumer Activist groups, who demanded that banks must reimburse APP fraud victims. In absolutely no time, this has even created new opportunities for fraudsters.  It is therefore completely unsurprising that banks are now taking measures to protect themselves, and we are all feeling the effects of it. 

In any case, though, getting a blocked payment lifted, and re-gain online access, isn’t difficult to do. It is just timeconsuming and annoying but the people to blame for it are the feckless who ignore  the copious warnings about money transfers, the ‘cunning’ fraudsters, and the Consumer Activists who don’t appear to believe in personal responsibility.

I do agree with the principle, though, of not having all your money in a single bank, or even with a single banking group.

If your bank submits a Suspicious Activity Report to the National Crime Agency, it is difficult to regain access to your money.

The bank will lie to you.  They won't tell you your account is blocked or why it is blocked.  They are not allowed to by law.

If you try contacting the NCA directly, they will not tell you whether or not they have received a SAR.

The block won't be lifted until the bank get clearance from the NCA.  In theory, this should come in 7 working days, but in practice it can take several weeks for your account to be unfrozen.  I speak from experience.  And I'm talking about non fraudulent transactions.

If you need access to that money to pay debts, you could be in serious difficulty.

When I have read stories on line of other peoples accounts being frozen, Santander comes up in a disproportionately high number of cases.

I have no reason to think Santander or any other bank would  ever report me to the NCA but I do appreciate it is upsetting if you feel you are at risk. 

I don't know what stories you are referring to - I am aware of Facebook Groups about Monzo and Natwest blocking accounts for weeks on end. Whichever bank is involved, once the matter involves the NCA, it will be definition take longer to get resolved.

pecunianonolet

Hi all, 

my first post and want to share my experience. Opened Al Ryan on Sunday and was able to deposit cash in straight away. On Monday Santander stormed the market and I opened one and so did my partner. Was open in seconds, however we both had the email to send back any form of ID and proof of address. We both have never been Santander customers before. On Tuesday we went into the local branch and the manager checked and my account was totally fine and he just confirmed identity and for my partner it was an issue with the address, because she lived under 3 years with me at the current address. It all got cleared and we were told that my forms are not needed and hers will be processed internally. We should get letters for online banking in the post in the next few days.  

Moved, only after two days, my funds (lower 5 figure sum) from Al Ryan to Santander. Money left the account straight away but few hours later got a call to verify payment. Sadly missed it due to work meetings so called back this morning, got through within 30 min and all got cleared. Guy on the other side was aware of Santander offer and said there are many call to verify payments from Al Ryan to Santander. he also confirmed it is no issue to keep just £1 in the account to keep it open but the bank might decide in the long run if no further movements to close it on their side. 

Hope that helps anybody and I would suggest going to your local branch, much quicker than posting documents which might take ages to arrive and be processed. 

oz0707

I opened last night online and it didn't mention anything about ID check. I'm a new customer too. Do they just validate this from a credit check I some cases?

Daliah

oz0707 said:

I opened last night online and it didn't mention anything about ID check. I'm a new customer too. Do they just validate this from a credit check I some cases?

They won't do a credit check for savings accounts but they will aim to identify you electronically, from the Electoral Register and from your credit reference files.

skidmarks1961

I did the same as you, new customer too, I received an email asking for id and to complete the change of details form. Went into branch they copied and sent off id and said I didn’t need to complete the form again🤷‍♀️ Waiting now to see if that’s it now

WillowLea1962

Tandem instant access savers now is 2.05%AER

TomDolan

WillowLea1962 said:

Tandem instant access savers now is 2.05%AER

mine still shows 1.85%, probably will change tonight. Zopa easily easily beats it though.