Bank account on “temporary block” - revived 10/09/24

debthelp1

The only account I have which is Co-Operative have blocked my account use for what they claim is suspicious activity. I’ve had a call with them three days ago and explained everything they asked for but I still have no access 

I don’t have any cash I need access to my funds for food! I called again this morning and they said I can only go to a branch and take out any wages or benefits paid in recently , which there hasn’t been for three weeks. 

I don’t know what to do and I can’t believe they can actually do this and withhold my money 

la531983

They cant tell you what the "suspicious activity" is, as that would be tipping off. So all you can do is wait whilst they investigate. Have you had anyone put money into your account recently, or paid for anything out of the ordinary?

In the meantime, open a new account up with someone like Monzo or Chase, quickly, and provide the new sort code and account number to your payroll department and/or the DWP, quickly.  Its advisable to have access to an alternative account anyway (or a credit card - maybe apply for one quickly and you will have it next week) for when this kind of thing happens.

kaMelo

debthelp1 said:

The only account I have which is Co-Operative have blocked my account use for what they claim is suspicious activity. I’ve had a call with them three days ago and explained everything they asked for but I still have no access 

I don’t have any cash I need access to my funds for food! I called again this morning and they said I can only go to a branch and take out any wages or benefits paid in recently , which there hasn’t been for three weeks. 

I don’t know what to do and I can’t believe they can actually do this and withhold my money 

Within the last three weeks is recent. As long as the money never left the account they will let you withdraw any salary or benefit payments paid into the account,

debthelp1

The latest person I spoke to says I can go to a branch and take cash out and he’s not been told it has to be salary or benefits 

I get the feeling he’s mistaken, if an accounts currently on block they won’t let me withdraw surely? 

la531983

Just go in and see what happens.

retiredbanker1

In the bank I worked for in this situation the branch would phone the department dealing with blocked accounts - agree an amount to be withdrawn - temporarily remove the blocking - the branch processes the withdrawal - the account is then re-blocked.

trust.no.1

The periodic tales of account block woes on the various MSE boards never fail to remind me of the benefits of a so called "cashless society".   My commiserations to the OP and I hope this is resolved asap. As per the advice already given - multiple accounts with different banks is  highly recommended these days.  I would also go as far as to recommend your keeping an emergency cash reserve. These measures won't help with the immediate issue but would be invaluable if  it occurs again.

WillPS

trust.no.1 said:

The periodic tales of account block woes on the various MSE boards never fail to remind me of the benefits of a so called "cashless society".   My commiserations to the OP and I hope this is resolved asap. As per the advice already given - multiple accounts with different banks is  highly recommended these days.  I would also go as far as to recommend your keeping an emergency cash reserve. These measures won't help with the immediate issue but would be invaluable if  it occurs again.

Just keep a funded backup - whether you pay with cash or card really has no bearing on the impact that having a bank account frozen has; unless you don't bank your cash at all.

DullGreyGuy

debthelp1 said:

The latest person I spoke to says I can go to a branch and take cash out and he’s not been told it has to be salary or benefits 

I get the feeling he’s mistaken, if an accounts currently on block they won’t let me withdraw surely? 

They'd allow you to withdraw your salary or benefits as long as it was paid directly into that account. The only time that may not be allowed is if it's actually your employer's wage payment that has triggered the problem. They'd be unlikely to allow you to withdraw anything else

debthelp1

They have now closed my account and sent the balance on to another of my accounts as I requested. That in turn has now meant the account they sent it too has flagged up the receipt and temporary blocked me as well. I am at my wits end.

I have completed an access request with CIFAS and they say nothing is on file. 

Apparently I will be informed by post of the reasons for this decision. 

Middle_of_the_Road

debthelp1 said:

They have now closed my account and sent the balance on to another of my accounts as I requested. That in turn has now meant the account they sent it too has flagged up the receipt and temporary blocked me as well. I am at my wits end.

I have completed an access request with CIFAS and they say nothing is on file. 

Apparently I will be informed by post of the reasons for this decision. 

Really sorry to hear this. It will be interesting to see what those reasons are, if indeed they will give any. Hope they do, but usually you will get no explanation. When this is eventually resolved, you should be due some proportional compensation.