Bank Account Closed, Funds Withheld & CIFAS Marker Applied.

fr33zy

I previous posted that my account with Metro was restricted and closed in January 2020.  I later found out a case was filed for false instructions and first party fraud to CIFAS which remains.  To date I have received no information from Metro Bank, having sent them a letter to challenge the CIFAS over a month ago.  They are only contactable by post!

To summarise, I sold my car, received a payment of £8250 by bank transfer from the buyer and three weeks later these funds were taken out of my account as 'account to account transfer' and then my account was closed by the bank a couple of weeks later with no correspondance.  I want to a) get a response from Metro  b) remove the CIFAS marker and c) get my £8250 funds back from Metro which they should not have taken.

What is the fastest way to get this done? Do I need a solicitor? If so, which type would be most relevant to this case.  The bank has not responded to my letter so I feel I need someone that can fight my case, and possibly get additional compensation for what they have done which is effectively steal £8250 from me, restrict access to my other funds within the account for 2 months, file a false CIFAS marker aganist me and not provide any correspodance or responses to my requests.  Its unbelievably unprofessional.

[Deleted User]

Don't waste money on a solicitor.

You need to wait for Metro to finish their investigations.  They won't be telling you anything until they have.

They haven't stolen any money from you, so forget about the compensation.  If they conclude you haven't abused your account, your money will be returned and the CIFAS marker adjusted.

D3xt3r5L4b

Just wait for them to carry out their investigations. 

fr33zy

I don't have any confidence in Metro Bank.  I have received NO correspondence from them regarding this issue and its been 8 months.  They have obviously done their investigations, taken the money out and applied the CIFAS marker bacin January 2020.  How do I even know they are re-investigating the issue now?  They haven't acknowledged receipt of my letter to them and my account is closed.

Regarding compensation, if a bank falsely restricts my account, takes out legitimate funds and freezes access to my remaining balance which was almost £9,000, how am I supposed to live and pay bills? Surely they must have practices to follow.  Contacting me to advise of the situation, not simply cutting off my account.  In branch, they could only advise to contact head office by post, no phone numbers available so i've been left completely in the dark.

D3xt3r5L4b

Here is your original thread: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6179266/bank-account-closed-and-reported-to-cifas-for-false-instruments-paid-in-first-party-fraud#latest

Do you still have the car? Have you not tried to re-sell it again?

You're not due any compo, no. 

As for getting by and paying bills etc - your job/salary/savings are there for that. 

fr33zy

Still having the car is largely irrelevant and nothing to do with Metro.  It was sold and given to the buyer and money taken from my account three weeks later.  As it turns out the buyer had a problem with the car and its not driveable, so agreed to take it back pending outcome of funds issue.

Regarding paying bills etc, if you read above I had a balance of around £9000 in Metro which remained frozen in my account in January and February before Metro allowed me to take this balance out in cash in branch before closing my account.  So I didn't have access to my own funds which were obviously needed.  My debit card wouldn't work and they wouldn't allow me draw cash from branch.

D3xt3r5L4b

This is why you have more than 1 bank account and access to credit cards etc. to cover such things.
Although savings is better. 

jonesMUFCforever

It would seem that the funds you received for selling your car was dodgy. Or the buyer complained that something was wrong with the car and has had his money returned. You still seem to have the car.

What is there to investigate - IMO you won't be seeing it again.

fr33zy

jonesMUFCforever said:

It would seem that the funds you received for selling your car was dodgy. Or the buyer complained that something was wrong with the car and has had his money returned. You still seem to have the car.

What is there to investigate - IMO you won't be seeing it again.

Are you deliberately trying to troll?  Its quite obvious the funds received were dodgy in some way, but does Metro bank have the right to simply dip its fingers into my account after three weeks and remove the funds and send no correspondence at all?  Then to restrict my account, subsequently close it and report me to CIFAS for something 100% out of my control, still without a word of correspodence.  I'm sure if this happened to you anyone else, you wouldn't just shrug your shoulders and say there is nothing to investigate. 

I'm not familiar with banking code of practices but the way Metro have acted during this process is i'm sure not in accordance with protocol.  Also I am in contact with the buyer who has assured me the funds have not been returned to him, sending a copy of his statement for the period which shows funds sent but not returned.  The car remains legally sold and in the buyers name.

The advice sought here is what steps to take.  Simply wait for Metro to respond or take legal action to expedite the process.  The CIFAS marker needs to be removed and an explanation provided as to why the funds were taken from my account!

[Deleted User]

fr33zy said:

jonesMUFCforever said:

It would seem that the funds you received for selling your car was dodgy. Or the buyer complained that something was wrong with the car and has had his money returned. You still seem to have the car.

What is there to investigate - IMO you won't be seeing it again.

 does Metro bank have the right to simply dip its fingers into my account after three weeks and remove the funds and send no correspondence at all?  Then to restrict my account, subsequently close it and report me to CIFAS for something 100% out of my control, still without a word of correspodence.  I'm sure if this happened to you anyone else, you wouldn't just shrug your shoulders and say there is nothing to investigate.  

Yes they do. You can seek legal advice, but the law around investigations for money laundering offences is quite clear. You won't be getting any compo, and the bank need to investigate thoroughly. They can't advise you what they are doing because that is a criminal offence. 

D3xt3r5L4b

fr33zy said:

jonesMUFCforever said:

It would seem that the funds you received for selling your car was dodgy. Or the buyer complained that something was wrong with the car and has had his money returned. You still seem to have the car.

What is there to investigate - IMO you won't be seeing it again.

Are you deliberately trying to troll?  Its quite obvious the funds received were dodgy in some way, but does Metro bank have the right to simply dip its fingers into my account after three weeks and remove the funds and send no correspondence at all?  Then to restrict my account, subsequently close it and report me to CIFAS for something 100% out of my control, still without a word of correspodence.  I'm sure if this happened to you anyone else, you wouldn't just shrug your shoulders and say there is nothing to investigate. 

I'm not familiar with banking code of practices but the way Metro have acted during this process is i'm sure not in accordance with protocol.  Also I am in contact with the buyer who has assured me the funds have not been returned to him, sending a copy of his statement for the period which shows funds sent but not returned.  The car remains legally sold and in the buyers name.

The advice sought here is what steps to take.  Simply wait for Metro to respond or take legal action to expedite the process.  The CIFAS marker needs to be removed and an explanation provided as to why the funds were taken from my account!

Yes, they do have the right to do so.