Santander Online Application

[Deleted User]

Dear Users,
I just applied for an everyday account on the Santander website and within 7 min of completing the application with minimal detail about myself- name, address, number- they said that my account was open and gave me a sort code and account number. They didn’t even ask for documents for proof of identity. They said they’re sending my card and pin straight away.
I am obviously not going to use the account. When I called the customer service people twice they both ended the call. 08009123123.
What should I do? How do I close the account? Will this affect my credit score badly?

EssexExile

I haven't been asked for physical proof of identity when opening an account for years. I assume it's all done electronically.

colsten

dragonbellpink728 said:

Dear Users,
I just applied for an everyday account on the Santander website and within 7 min of completing the application with minimal detail about myself- name, address, number- they said that my account was open and gave me a sort code and account number. They didn’t even ask for documents for proof of identity. They said they’re sending my card and pin straight away.
I am obviously not going to use the account. When I called the customer service people twice they both ended the call. 08009123123.
What should I do? How do I close the account? Will this affect my credit score badly?

Why did you open the account if you are obviously not going to use it?

What did you call them about, why did they hang up on you?

RG2015

EssexExile said:

I haven't been asked for physical proof of identity when opening an account for years. I assume it's all done electronically.

Yes, it is frequently done electronically to avoid the applicant unnecessary trouble. They can check ID through many sources but in the main it is with one or more of the three main credit reporting agencies.

I have opened four of five current accounts without providing any proof of identification. 

Highland76

dragonbellpink728 said:

Dear Users,
I just applied for an everyday account on the Santander website and within 7 min of completing the application with minimal detail about myself- name, address, number- they said that my account was open and gave me a sort code and account number. They didn’t even ask for documents for proof of identity. They said they’re sending my card and pin straight away.
I am obviously not going to use the account.

So you opened the account just for a giggle?

wiseonesomeofthetime

This really is a strange one.

Noticing an increase in strange threads recently 🤷‍♂️

As has been said above, the checks will have been done instantaneously and electronically. Card and PIN will be sent to the applicant's home address (no doubt verified via electoral register).

Fail to see a reason to obviously not use the account.

Edit:
Ah, looking at the OP's other two threads since they joined the forum this evening, it would appear that they have a concern about account security. Perhaps this thread is not such a strange one then, if the OP really does have fear about their account be easily accessible or compromised.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6191753/advice-on-closing-accounts
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6191743/bank-workers 

Neil_Jones

dragonbellpink728 said:

Dear Users,
I just applied for an everyday account on the Santander website and within 7 min of completing the application with minimal detail about myself- name, address, number- they said that my account was open and gave me a sort code and account number. They didn’t even ask for documents for proof of identity. They said they’re sending my card and pin straight away.
I am obviously not going to use the account. When I called the customer service people twice they both ended the call. 08009123123.
What should I do? How do I close the account? Will this affect my credit score badly?

This is normal behaviour not to be asked for anything, its all done electronically these days.

Closing details are in your T&Cs, see section 9 at https://www.santander.co.uk/assets/s3fs-public/documents/everyday_current_account_key_facts_document_may20.pdf

But this begs the question of why you opened it if you have no intention of using it?  Credit wise it'll be a soft search which makes no difference.

dr_adidas01

Neil_Jones said:

dragonbellpink728 said:

Dear Users,
I just applied for an everyday account on the Santander website and within 7 min of completing the application with minimal detail about myself- name, address, number- they said that my account was open and gave me a sort code and account number. They didn’t even ask for documents for proof of identity. They said they’re sending my card and pin straight away.
I am obviously not going to use the account. When I called the customer service people twice they both ended the call. 08009123123.
What should I do? How do I close the account? Will this affect my credit score badly?

This is normal behaviour not to be asked for anything, its all done electronically these days.

Closing details are in your T&Cs, see section 9 at https://www.santander.co.uk/assets/s3fs-public/documents/everyday_current_account_key_facts_document_may20.pdf

But this begs the question of why you opened it if you have no intention of using it?  Credit wise it'll be a soft search which makes no difference.

It won’t be a soft search it will be a hard search as the OP has applied for an account which may offer credit facilities (Overdraft) all providers do a hard search when you apply for a product, unless you’re doing quotation searches. 

What will be soft searches will be the ones for identification checks and AML checks. 

[Deleted User]

I opened it because I was going to use it. They didn’t ask for any electronic proof of identity. They asked for the name, address, DOB, income and then it said here’s your account info well send you a card out.
The other time I made an account I had to show lots of proof of identity, they had to scan documents and copy them and take signatures.
I was just worried that the account info I got might not be from Santander because some other women got robbed 71K from text messages she thought she was getting from Santander because they’re were from the same thread as the legitimate text messages. It’s all online so I can’t see anyone or know that what I am doing is safe online.
I was born before banking became technical and it seemed weird to me that you could open a bank without any checks.
Also I called and didn’t get past my name before they hung up.

[Deleted User]

When I said I am not obviously going to use the account I meant given the ease at which I opened it, it seemed rather suspicious. Getting a bank account is not an easy process and even if it is online it should require identity checks.
Fancy getting a bank account by giving the same info as if your signing up for a forum.

eskbanker

dragonbellpink728 said:

They didn’t ask for any electronic proof of identity.

Why would they ask?  They'll conduct ID verification checks without you needing to provide any further info.

dragonbellpink728 said:

Getting a bank account is not an easy process and even if it is online it should require identity checks.

As above, there will be identity checks - don't assume that these being done in the background means that they're not happening at all.