Natwest closed account and put marker on name with no fault of account holder 26 May 2022 at 12:25PM in Credit file & ratings 15 replies 881 views

JustN43

My friend, a single mum of two was notified by NWest bank that her account is beeing freezed. She begged them to explain why they closed the account. The brief reply was that someone from India tried to deposit large deposit on her account. 
She tried to open a different account with variety of banks. The answer from all is negative as she has black marker next to her name. 
The school where she works cannot pay the salary in cash. She has no means to live

She already contacted Fin Ombudsmen but that can drag on.

What can she do to open a bank account?

TadleyBaggie

Confusing narrative, account frozen or closed? Big difference.

JustN43

Frozen initially and then closed permanently 

Ebe_Scrooge

More detail required, but on the face of it it sounds like she's suspected of money-laundering/being a money mule - large transactions from a foreign country are a classic red flag.  If she has a Cifas marker then that will very likely prevent her from opening another account.

The person who tried to deposit the money into her account - I assume she doesn't know them, and it's not a legitimate deposit?  Has she given her bank account details to anyone she shouldn't have?

JustN43

she doesn't know the person who tried to deposit the money in to her account. The bank refused to share any more detail.

What can she do to clear her name of the fraud she did not commit?

DCFC79

For opening an account has she tried Monzo or Starling or even Virgin Money, all are easy to open.

FeaturelessVoid

DCFC79 said:

For opening an account has she tried Monzo or Starling or even Virgin Money, all are easy to open.

https://community.monzo.com/t/monzo-closing-bank-cifas-cat6/123000

I doubt any of those banks aren't checking CIFAS nowadays.

Olinda99

She could try one of the newspapers - money help column. 

JustN43

She tried Sterling and Monese. Both refused 
Monzo doesnt accept salaries so it is useless for her.

robber2

Thinking outside the box a bit could the school pay the salary into a friends account (maybe yourself) who could then hand the cash over?

Far from ideal and not a long term solution but it may give her access to her money while she sorts out her banking troubles.

Emmia

The school would be better off paying her in cash (after all the usual deductions) - she shouldn't be funneling money through another account, and there may be tax implications for the receiver if HMRC thinks they're not properly declaring their income...

I'm not sure "my mate has lost access to her bank account so I'm looking after her money" is an acceptable excuse.