Trying to get a new bank account with no photo Id

wmb194

I seem to remember opening my Virgin Money accounts online without needing to supply anything, my address and ID being verified electronically.

GeoffTF

wmb194 said:

I seem to remember opening my Virgin Money accounts online without needing to supply anything, my address and ID being verified electronically.

I opened a Tesco Cashback Pay+ account (with is effectively a basic bank account with Clubcard points) yesterday without giving any ID. It was alarmingly easy. I do not expect that it would work for the OP, but I do not know the details of how the checking works.

Emmia

Nummy01 said:

Just went into metro bank and still need photo ID, !!!!!!.

Is there any reason you can't get a provisional driving licence?

You may not like it, but having photo ID will be very useful to you.

Nummy01

Emmia said:

Nummy01 said:

Just went into metro bank and still need photo ID, !!!!!!.

Is there any reason you can't get a provisional driving licence?

You may not like it, but having photo ID will be very useful to you.

I Don't mind having one as a form of ID just wanted to get this sorted ASAP, so have one thing less to worry about. Just ordered one and they will send me a pack out, and now it's time to hunt for the birth certificate in the meantime.

Nummy01

GeoffTF said:

wmb194 said:

I seem to remember opening my Virgin Money accounts online without needing to supply anything, my address and ID being verified electronically.

I opened a Tesco Cashback Pay+ account (with is effectively a basic bank account with Clubcard points) yesterday without giving any ID. It was alarmingly easy. I do not expect that it would work for the OP, but I do not know the details of how the checking works.

Unfortunately one of my debts is with Tescos.

Nummy01

wmb194 said:

I seem to remember opening my Virgin Money accounts online without needing to supply anything, my address and ID being verified electronically.

Did you do it with a photo ID?

TheBanker

wmb194 said:

I seem to remember opening my Virgin Money accounts online without needing to supply anything, my address and ID being verified electronically.

Sometimes they can verify you electronically, combined with sending cards/passwords through the post (which verifies your address). Whether this works depends on the bank's own policy, and also how much information is available through the credit reference agencies. Note that this isn't a credit check, but it relies on you having an active credit record to complete the verification.

To the OP, here is a list from Santander of their ID requirements. I am not suggesting you try Santander, but this was the first list I found and most banks have very similar requirements as they derive from the same regulations and industry guidelines. https://www.santander.co.uk/assets/s3fs-public/AD_documents/customer_identification_requirements_for_uk_customers_misc_1869_feb_24_ipg.pdf

A tax coding notice from HMRC (you can call them and ask them to send one) seems to qualify as ID in place of a passport/driving license. Then you must have a bank statement from your existing bank (or can request one) to use as proof of address. 

Banks should also have exception procedures for people who genuinelly cannot produce any standard ID. Using these procedures will limit you to a basic bank account, you'll still need to produce some official documents, and there will almost certainly be a delay while the exception is considered. But banks do have certain obligations to prevent financial exclusion. 

wmb194

Nummy01 said:

wmb194 said:

I seem to remember opening my Virgin Money accounts online without needing to supply anything, my address and ID being verified electronically.

Did you do it with a photo ID?

No, I didn't have to supply anything. Your address and personal details are checked against data held by the credit reference agencies. Over the years I've opened lots of accounts in this way.

This was a couple of years ago so Virgin may have changed its procedures but it might be worth a look.

Edit: Btw, you need to apply online to have the chance to do it this way. If you apply in branch you'll always be asked for physical documents.

mwarby

Nummy01 said:

Section62 said:

Nummy01 said:

As recommended as I'm about to start the IVA process...

Who recommended an IVA?  Have you had independent advice on other ways to deal with your debts? (e.g. have you posted on the 'Bankruptcy & living with it' board on this forum)

Most of the banks try to check your ID electronically before asking for documents, although they may also want you to take a selfie with a document so they have a photo of you as well.

You also need to avoid banks in the same group as the one(s) you are currently with - for example Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland are all part of the same group, even though they trade under different names.

If you aren't with them already then maybe try Nationwide.  They seem very keen to increase the number of current account customers they have and may be less likely to reject you as not being profitable enough (I'd avoid HSBC for the opposite reason).  Nationwide also have most of their branches still open, which may be useful if you need to go to a branch to deal with the ID issue.

Good luck.

Yes I'm using payplan and the debts are with nationwide and Lloyds. Thanks for pointing out the group thing, so I'll avoid Nat West and try metro bank, as atleast it's open till 6.

No issue with Nat west they arent in same group as Lloyds (Lloyds are in same group as bank of scotland, not royal bank of scotland) or nationwide

mwarby

Section62 said:

lisyloo said:

Nummy01 said:

boingy said:

Really, just get a driving licence or a passport even if you have no intention to use either of them. It will save you grief in the future.

Needed it this week, so not really helpful.

You've said you are about to start the IVA process.
Why do you need it this week.
Can you start the process with "ID to follow" or does it insist.
If they insist they'll have to wait.
No one will put your in prison for not doing the impossible.

I know some people who have gone down the IVA route and their providers (not PayPlan) were very pushy about getting a new bank account set up ASAP.  To me it felt like they wanted their new customer to be so busy rushing around with changing bank accounts etc that they wouldn't have time to ask whether an IVA was right for them.

Really there should be a reasonable cooling-off period, but because action over the debts might be imminent, it is easy for the urgency to become the only thing that matters.

To be fair if you go down DRO IVA or bankruptcy route, its probably an idea not to pay salary into the bank you have debts with, but certainly shouldnt be a rushed thing, they have long term consequences (some mortgage lenders will never lend to you)