Change of address and having to prove it with utility bill

Andrea_jardin

Last time I changed address with Metro Bank I just told the branch and they updated it. Now their website says that you have to prove it with a utility bill etc if it happened within the last 3 months.  Is this a new requirement and do other banks do the same? Does it mean that you have to wait 3 months before informing them?

bradders1983

Well no, you can do it in the 3 months if you provide a bill, as they said.

eskbanker

Where does it say that?  There's no mention at https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/help-and-support/information-about-my-account/how-can-i-change-my-details/ and it would be a security risk if they built in a three-month delay, while they send cards, correspondence and statements to an out of date address!

md258

I don't have Metro Bank, but most of my banks allowed me to change it online without any "proof". The only one that didn't was Kent Reliance where I had to ring up and they wouldn't accept the change over the phone (I assume that they check things like the electoral roll etc but that hadn't been updated as I had just moved...) so I had to write to them instead.

ARH_2

I found the address on my Metro Bank account hard to change too. In the age of doing everything online, I have very few bills dated in the last 3 months. 

If you get online statements, I've found banks are happy to print you one up at the counter as a one off. I was therefore able to change the address on my (non-Metro Bank) current account over the phone (needed doing anyway) go straight into the branch, have a statement with the new address printed, and take it over to Metro Bank. 

PRAISETHESUN

I haven't had any issues trying to change addresses with the banks. All the ones I've had to do simply let you either change it online or over the phone without any proof - you just need to pass security and you can make the changes you need.

Not familiar with Metro bank, but from what you say it sounds like if you've updated your address and want to update it again within 3 months then that is when you'll need to provide proof (most people don't move so frequently I suspect). Otherwise, it should be whatever their normal process is. I agree with the posts above that it would be a massive security issue if they insisted on deliberately sending post to an old address for 3 months before they let you update their system.

MovingForwards

The only one account (virgin basic current account), out of the 3 different banks / various accounts I had at the time, where I needed to physically tell them.

Ended up with me getting a form sent to my new address, to sign and confirm, then they updated it and sent a letter to confirm the change. Even though I could do all my savings accounts with them online, the basic account cannot be.

This was 6ish weeks after lockdown started, with no chance of me getting to the branch.

Andrea_jardin

eskbanker said:

Where does it say that?  There's no mention at https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/help-and-support/information-about-my-account/how-can-i-change-my-details/ and it would be a security risk if they built in a three-month delay, while they send cards, correspondence and statements to an out of date address!

There seems to be a different version of the FAQ when you log in which says:

"If you have lived at your current address less than 3 months or have not had your Metro Bank account longer than 3 months then you will need to provide us with a proof of your new address. These can be any of the following documents: • Council Tax Bill (valid for the current year) • Utility bill. Gas, Electric or Water (dated within the last 3 months) • Telephone Bill (dated within last 3 months) Mobile phone bills are not acceptable • " etc..

Alter_ego

I find no problem if I show my driving license with the new address

Shakin_Steve

I reckon the bank asked for a utility bill not more than three months old.