Tax rebate caused account to be blocked!

colsten

byrnez92 said:

comeandgo said:

Could the bank think you are a business user but using a normal bank account?   

No I am sole trader/paye so no breach of account rules from what I can gather I think they don't believe I should have the rebate I got  ie asking for proof of my expenses .
Just got off phone again they are now saying HMRC have sent you that payment without checking your return so we cant be sure you are entitled to it! 
Does this sound right??

No, it doesn't sound right that Natwest are saying that HMRC sent you a payment without checking your return.

No, it doesn't sound right that you should be able to breach the Natwest T&Cs because you are a sole trader.

No, none of your story actually sounds  right.

born_again

Speedbird676 said:

It is not Santander's remit to investigate your tax affairs.

Regardless of the outcome of your complaint to Santander I would also complain to the Financial Ombudsman as Santander are acting above their station.

Sadly banks are now the expected to do just that. Failure can result in massive fines. 
It is a crazy situation.

Odd thing is bank knows exactly which account the funds come from (so know that it is HMRC) so in reality do not need to block the account.
They can report it to HMRC, what HMRC do is then up to them. But that is not what the powers to be want to happen.

byrnez92

So as far as I can gather the banks are trying to do HMRC work for them but when iv spoke to HMRC they have got no issues with my return whatsoever.

colsten

byrnez92 said:

So as far as I can gather the banks are trying to do HMRC work for them but when iv spoke to HMRC they have got no issues with my return whatsoever.

You appear to be the only person on the planet whose bank are checking up on the HMRC.

Perhaps you should be going to the Press with this unique experience.

byrnez92

colsten said:

byrnez92 said:

So as far as I can gather the banks are trying to do HMRC work for them but when iv spoke to HMRC they have got no issues with my return whatsoever.

You appear to be the only person on the planet whose bank are checking up on the HMRC.

Perhaps you should be going to the Press with this unique experience.

Hmrc seem to think this has happened to a few they also said they will send me a letter to take to branch which will tell bank it is legitimate and to release the funds.

colsten

Still no answer from the Santander CEO or from your MP to your complaints? You have left another day go past without chasing either of them, and without taking this scandal to the Press?

What is the situation with your kids and food? Have you been able to arrange for sufficient supplies? 

byrnez92

colsten said:

Still no answer from the Santander CEO or from your MP to your complaints? You have left another day go past without chasing either of them, and without taking this scandal to the Press?

What is the situation with your kids and food? Have you been able to arrange for sufficient supplies? 

I managed to get enough food together for today and breakfast in the morning but after that I think I will have to try a foodbank. my rent was due today which has bounced as account frozen which will begin to snowball now with late payment fees etc they have litreally stopped me having any money plus inadvertantly stopped me claiming benefits so I am as broke as iv ever known 😞

byrnez92

colsten said:

Still no answer from the Santander CEO or from your MP to your complaints? You have left another day go past without chasing either of them, and without taking this scandal to the Press?

What is the situation with your kids and food? Have you been able to arrange for sufficient supplies? 

No answer off CEO or mp haven't gone to press I actually feel embarrassed about it all weirdly enough 

gt94sss2

byrnez92 said:

colsten said:

Still no answer from the Santander CEO or from your MP to your complaints? You have left another day go past without chasing either of them, and without taking this scandal to the Press?

What is the situation with your kids and food? Have you been able to arrange for sufficient supplies? 

No answer off CEO or mp haven't gone to press I actually feel embarrassed about it all weirdly enough 

I wouldn't feel embarrassed - this situation is not your fault but Santander behaving oddly.
Sometimes a call from a journalist to a press office really helps to concentrate minds on a issue
The big newspapers will all have consumer reporters who look into these kind of things - you're not alone.

For example,  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/katie-investigates/

byrnez92

***UPDATE*** 
Spoken to HMRC this morning and the bank have referred  back to hmrc as they don't believe me to be entitled to my refund.
HMRC have said they may have to do more checks on me which could take 2 weeks ,
I over paid 1800 on my paye income and claimed just under 3000 for business miles 
I have a log of all my business miles so should be okay but just at least another 2 weeks with no access to mg account .