Close account

fistfulofsteel

Can I close an account I have no access to?

blue.peter

Do you still know the sort code and account number? You'll probably need them, though they might be able to cope without.

I suggest writing to Halifax and ask them to close the account. Since your current name (and, I guess, address) doesn't match the one on their records, you'll need to explain - in detail - why not. Enclose supporting evidence of the name changes. They'll soon tell you if they want more.

I don't know if they ever close unused accounts: I was certainly surprised to discover that one of mine was still open long after I'd last used it. When I wanted them to close that account, I wrote to them at:

Halifax

Trinity Road

Halifax

HX1 2RG

That worked for me.

sheramber

Check out the help centre on the website.

You can get your user name here and then change your password etc.

You would need to use your original name.

You can then close your account online.


Or use online chat.

Send a message through Facebook.

blue.peter

I rather like @sheramber 's suggestion - I hadn't noticed the "Forgotten your login details?" option. Doh!

Another suggestion, in case you don't like any of those already offered: do you have a Halifax branch that you can get to? If you take the paperwork (ID, deeds poll etc.) in with you, the local staff can close an account for you.

lr1277

We had a similar problem with a joint account held by my dad, mum and brother. My brother emigrated to the US but the bank were not informed of this change.

So after dad died, we wanted to close the account. The bank would not do it without:

Either us knowing his last UK address or having proof of my brother's last UK address (I don't remember which exactly).

Apparently if a letter is sent to a UK address, and the letter is returned 'Not known at this address' the account is frozen/stopped; by Barclays. Halifax may have a different procedure.

Luckily we found a photocopy of his driving licence from his last UK address. So with this and one of his infrequent trips to the UK, we visited the branch along with his photo ID (US passport), that removed the stop on the account and then it could be closed.

You say you have changed address a few times without informing Halifax?

Perhaps if you had official correspondence from the last address Halifax knew you lived at, along with photo ID and proof of address from now, then they might close the account. By official correspondence I mean things like a letter or a statement from Halifax.

marcia_

 When my mum died I didn't know her sort code or account number. I went through https://www.mylostaccount.org.uk/ they contacted me with the details and then went into a branch. Was given about £2 and they closed the account just needed mums death certificate and my passport 

Theleak250

It will be dormant now. 

blue.peter

Theleak250 said:

It will be dormant now. 

Would they really still be issuing routine correspondence if it was dormant? In any case, I don't see the relevance. Even dormant accounts can be closed by the owner.

Theleak250

blue.peter said:

Theleak250 said:

It will be dormant now. 

Would they really still be issuing routine correspondence if it was dormant? In any case, I don't see the relevance. Even dormant accounts can be closed by the owner.

I didn’t say it couldn’t be closed, but nobody had made the observation that the account would be dormant at this stage if not used at all for 10 years. 

Given the situation with name changes, address changes etc, it might be a small consolation that the account is at least dormant if not closed. The OP should of course attempt to close if they wish to.

Ergates

Theleak250 said:

blue.peter said:

Theleak250 said:

It will be dormant now. 

Would they really still be issuing routine correspondence if it was dormant? In any case, I don't see the relevance. Even dormant accounts can be closed by the owner.

I didn’t say it couldn’t be closed, but nobody had made the observation that the account would be dormant at this stage if not used at all for 10 years. 

Given the situation with name changes, address changes etc, it might be a small consolation that the account is at least dormant if not closed. The OP should of course attempt to close if they wish to.

The reason the OP wants to close the account is that Halifax are sending correspondence relating to the account to their old address.   If the account was dormant, they'd not be sending anything out..

UKX69

blue.peter said:

Do you still know the sort code and account number? You'll probably need them, though they might be able to cope without.

I suggest writing to Halifax and ask them to close the account. Since your current name (and, I guess, address) doesn't match the one on their records, you'll need to explain - in detail - why not. Enclose supporting evidence of the name changes. They'll soon tell you if they want more.

I don't know if they ever close unused accounts: I was certainly surprised to discover that one of mine was still open long after I'd last used it. When I wanted them to close that account, I wrote to them at:

Halifax

Trinity Road

Halifax

HX1 2RG

That worked for me.

That happened with me a number of years ago. I closed a HSBC account left over from a bank switching period and a good while later when reviewing my credit files discovered it was still open. At that point I had no relationship with the bank so being deaf I wrote to complain. Had a reply and account was closed.