Is there a life after crime?

Sofedupuk

I'm 34 now, at age 18 I defrauded my employer to the tune of £3,000. I had zero previous, my barrister for 2 years told me I'd get nothing more than community order, I went to magistrates and they sent it to Crown, at crown Court I was unlucky, the security guard in the Dock duly notified me I was going to prison the moment I stepped in the !!!!!!, I asked why? He told me the judge was in a foul mood today, let everyone off yesterday but hammered everyone on the day I was in court. I have always held my hands up and accepted my punishment, I was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment with zero previous, for theft from employer totalling £2,850.00. Just before my release from jail (in CAT D by this time) I recall seeing on the news BBC a lady who had defrauded people to the tune of £380,000 - she received a rehabilitation order. I regret what I did but the circumstances at the time were what they were.

Now, this is the reason for the post. My conviction was theft from employer, however, since being released I've secured employment, basic salary 38k, annual bonuses, but in the past 5 months I've opened bank accounts with Barclays, Lloyd's, Nationwide, TSB, Halifax, HSBC, every single account has been shut within a week of opening. 

What on earth am I meant to do? Not 1 of the banks will divulge why, I've paid my dues for my crime a long time ago, and I can't even get any bank account.

Sofedupuk

The question is, when you've done nothing but live a very honest, straight forward lifestyle, and many years on almost every single bank on the High Street closes your account without notice (from what I've read this can only be a result of fraud - after years in jail I can assure you since my release I've been squeeky clean) yet no one anywhere will give me any idea or reason why.

How am I meant to live? Rebuild my life? If I can't find any way to receive my salary what's the alternative? Crime obviously! And these idiotic imbeciles don't get it. I aren't a career criminal, I made a mistake, now I can't even earn an honest living and I'm getting really fked off with it

eskbanker

Multiple banks closing accounts sounds like a CIFAS issue, as this is a database shared by all the banks.  Submit a subject access request to them to find out what they have on file for you and, more importantly, which bank notified them and why: https://www.cifas.org.uk/contact-us/subject-access-request

Another possibility is National Hunter, although this is more concerned with inconsistencies between applications: https://www.nhunter.co.uk/SAR.pdf

Highly doubtful it's anything to do with a jail term many years ago - you've presumably had accounts since then?

The_Urbanite

For banking perhaps Renovare could be an option? https://renovare.london/

eskbanker

notveryeducated said:

Highly doubtful it's anything to do with a jail term many years ago - you've presumably had accounts since then?

Sounds like OP's employer could have given him a CIFAS marker, this is possible. Maybe the company he/she defrauded was in the finance industry? 

The fraud was 16 years ago, the conviction presumably about 14 years ago, and release (probably less than) 21 months later, so I can't see any basis for a recently-applied CIFAS marker to (legitimately) relate to the old offence....

colsten

OP, if you really have a problem with getting a bank account, you could try your luck with a Credit Union.

BrownTrout

Use a simple building society account. Maybe yorkshire building society. Coventry building society, or any other building society! Try your local one ( not nationwide )

HopeAndDriftWood

I'd definitely look into this more - I have a very close friend who was charged with theft from an employer at 18. She stole clothes, not money, and I think the value was less than £1k, but it went to court and she was given a community order. She's managed to have a bank account throughout. I know of two accounts that she has, plus a credit card, and she has a mortgage. She's 31 now. 
It may be different if your theft was from a financial institution, but I'd definitely do some more digging, as I don't think it'll just be the conviction that's a problem. Perhaps there is a CIFAS marker, or something recorded on Hunter, that you can check for accuracy.

colsten

Sofedupuk
Ayupduk

Just a thought.

Zanderman

colsten said:

Sofedupuk
Ayupduk
Just a thought.

Can a fellow be a villain all his life?
All the trials and tribulations!

sheramber

How many years ago were you released?
The crime was committed 16 years ago.  You cannot have been in prison since then for that crime.
What have you been doing since then?