Santander looking to freeze Bank account

Hi, 
My parents art old age pensioner's they have been banking with santander for over 50 years. My father had a telephone call from the bank - he thought it was a scam and refused to spk to anyone on the telephone. 

He rang the telephone off the back of the card. Which he done the right thing in my eye's. 

When he got though to the bank they basically said there has been suspicious activity on thier account. The staff member was very rude, firstly saying if my father spoke to them when they phoned him originally instead of ending the call.

Both parents have there pensions are paid in that account and my parents transfer money a small amount if money from an other bank savings account every month. All utilities comes out of the account. About October or November they sold their car and payment was paid into the bank via bank transfer from the dealership and two months ago my father had some of his pension and paid tax on it he was given a tax rebate.

They don't use this acount for anything else.

FCA regulations is there to ensure consumers have an appropriate degree of protection. This includes protecting vulnerable consumers like my parents who are old aged pensioner's. They have lost sleep with worry/ anxiety.

Bank has asked them  if they own their house and want a copy of the deeds and other things like copy of shares ICAs etc..

What can they do to stop the freeze on there bank account. They have done nothing just be a loyal customer for over 50 years. 

They have put a complaint into the bank and I have told them not to close any complaint as I what them to take to the ombudsman under FOS complaints.

Any help with be greatfull.
Many thanks
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Comments

  • GeoffTF
    GeoffTF Posts: 1,798 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    What is the problem? Has Santander frozen the account? Why cannot they just provide the copies of the documents that the bank has requested? What have they got to complain about?
  • Hoenir
    Hoenir Posts: 6,562 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    What has triggered the bank into this action? Things don't just happen. There's a cause. Filing a complaint isn't the solution at this point in time. 
  • penners324
    penners324 Posts: 3,460 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Requesting house deeds is a ludicrous over reach of AML. 

    Lodge The issue with your MP and the banking Ombudsman.
  • noitsnotme
    noitsnotme Posts: 1,238 Forumite
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    I know it’s a bit pedantic but haven’t Santander only been in the UK for 20 years since acquiring Abbey National in 2004?
  • km1500
    km1500 Posts: 2,703 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    very unusual for a bank to ask for a 'copy of the deeds'. Is the house unregistered? If registered they could search the land registry themselves
  • Zanderman
    Zanderman Posts: 4,839 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 14 March 2024 at 9:19PM
    As others have said, asking for a copy of the deeds is odd. Did they really ask for that or are you, or your parents, misinterpreting some generic request about house ownership info? Houses don't, these days, have 'deeds, the info and proof is all at the Land Registry. So for most houses asking for 'deeds' is pointless - unless the house, as km1500 says above, is not registered with LR (which it might not be if it has been owned for several decades). Once registered with LR the 'deeds' become meaningless pieces of paper. A very odd request - did they really specifically ask for this?
  • Thanks for all of your comments, my parent have been to the branch and the branch agreed with my parents and the branch have made a complaint on their behalf.

    They have provided everything they behave asked for tbh they bought there house 4 years ago so they had all the information from solicitors and all the information about the house.

    Yes it was the Abbey National which was taken over by santander.... same account for over 50 years... 

    I believe unusual payments made in bank account, such as payments from HMRC one off payments can trigger these type of things. If there is an expert on here I would like to know what the time scale is for sorting this out.

    As its unacceptable putting people in poverty not able to touch their own money. goingg to the local MP has been thought of and we are going to contact the MP.

  • GeoffTF
    GeoffTF Posts: 1,798 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 14 March 2024 at 10:31PM
    redgem12 said:
    Thanks for all of your comments, my parent have been to the branch and the branch agreed with my parents and the branch have made a complaint on their behalf.

    They have provided everything they behave asked for tbh they bought there house 4 years ago so they had all the information from solicitors and all the information about the house.

    Yes it was the Abbey National which was taken over by santander.... same account for over 50 years... 

    I believe unusual payments made in bank account, such as payments from HMRC one off payments can trigger these type of things. If there is an expert on here I would like to know what the time scale is for sorting this out.

    As its unacceptable putting people in poverty not able to touch their own money. goingg to the local MP has been thought of and we are going to contact the MP.

    Your title says "Santander looking to freeze Bank account". Are you now saying that they have actually done it? If so, how frozen is it?
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