A high street bank has blocked my accounts

Masha_2

I’ve been using the account as a way to transfer from other account to this bank and then taking it to another account for interest rates. my child’s accounts. Agreed with my ex, monies from divorce to be for my child in instalments.

Also in my own account my partner has been transferring some money to my account to pay the share of the expenses, which is mainly his share of the rent and some household expenses, also he has given me a gift / loan towards our wedding, but if that does not happen, then I said I would give him back, but actually he loves my child and he always says, if something happens, he is not expecting it back. my partner is the only dad my child knows as real dad.

Anyway, the bank had previously said they were reviewing my account and needed to talk to me. After a couple of missed calls as well as my calls, I talked to them. They haven’t asked about the lump sums for wedding, but only about the standing order he does for rent and asked me about my employment, I asked if there was an issue in the account or in the way I was managing it, I was told to not worry, they were only updating my records. And I was made believe that that was the review.

Later then I receive a letter asking my child, who is a minor, to do a tax residency self-certification CRS FATCA I made a couples of calls to the bank concerned about it, but I just confirmed the information sought.

Later that last request, I found my account, my saving account, my child account all frozen.

When I called, I was told it would be for 10 days. I had made a complaint in regards of my child data handling demanding compliance with processes around it. I had to be contacted about my complaint. I called again to know about my rights and about the complaint. In the call with the bank I found out that they do not have records of the conversations with the bank and the records said that they did not get to contact me, so they decided to freeze my accounts.

I wanted to complain about the missing records of the conversation held with me. Initially I was told that it was going to be joined to my initial complained. I was made clear also that I should have been told that my account was in review when I talked to them. To speak on behalf of my child, they said they required my child to be with me. Then later I called with my child, but they advised differently of what I initially had agreed. They did not want me to tell what they have in their records as my complaint, and they said no other information was added to the complaint and that I cannot edit the complaint and that as it’s only one complaint at a time. I had a very unpleasant conversation.

I am very concerned; I am not sure what to do. I do not know if sending a letter by post will make any difference, the complaint they have in their records is not accurate, and I was denied to clarify their records. 

I cannot believe the bank is entitled to treat people like that. Is there anything I can do?

GTR_King

When they suspend/block accounts they don’t like activity being done on it for example fraud or business money on personal accounts! 

Only way to unblock your accounts is supply proof of funds & activity then let them do the CIAFS money laundry checks etc!

nothing you can do at the moment & they legally can’t tell you why your accounts are blocked! So no point ringing up! 

open bank account with different bank, they might let you take cash out in branch with id for blocked accounts!

They asked for your employment as want to know your doing a legit job etc! & that money from you’re partner is not dodgy! 

We want the real reason why you’re transferring money from your account to your other account then to your child’s account! As That account isn’t for you to use for yourself, it for saving for your child’s future!  (That’s the main reason they blocked your account & asked for child tax status) 

I know you’re not gonna like it but you need to stop doing that ASAP before you get in more trouble! 

So if you wanna save some cash for yourself why don’t you put in an account in your name! There loads out there with good interest rates!

eskbanker

Masha_2 said:

Later that last request, I found my account, my saving account, my child account all frozen.

When I called, I was told it would be for 10 days. I had made a complaint in regards of my child data handling demanding compliance with processes around it. I had to be contacted about my complaint. I called again to know about my rights and about the complaint. In the call with the bank I found out that they do not have records of the conversations with the bank and the records said that they did not get to contact me, so they decided to freeze my accounts.

I wanted to complain about the missing records of the conversation held with me. Initially I was told that it was going to be joined to my initial complained. I was made clear also that I should have been told that my account was in review when I talked to them. To speak on behalf of my child, they said they required my child to be with me. Then later I called with my child, but they advised differently of what I initially had agreed. They did not want me to tell what they have in their records as my complaint, and they said no other information was added to the complaint and that I cannot edit the complaint and that as it’s only one complaint at a time. I had a very unpleasant conversation.

I am very concerned; I am not sure what to do. I do not know if sending a letter by post will make any difference, the complaint they have in their records is not accurate, and I was denied to clarify their records. 

I cannot believe the bank is entitled to treat people like that. Is there anything I can do?

I'm struggling to understand why you seem to be so focused on one or more data handling complaints rather than reinstating access to frozen accounts, but if you want to ascertain exactly what data the bank holds about you (including the complaint records) then you can submit a subject access request to their data protection officer, details of which will be shown in their published privacy policy.  They're then legally obliged to send you copies of the personal data they hold about you within a month, but this wouldn't seem likely to help you with access to the accounts?

Are the regular funds transfers being made between UK accounts, and are all parties concerned UK residents?

Olinda99

you mention FATCA - are you US citizens?

Masha_2

GTR_King said:

When they suspend/block accounts they don’t like activity being done on it for example fraud or business money on personal accounts! 

Only way to unblock your accounts is supply proof of funds & activity then let them do the CIAFS money laundry checks etc!

nothing you can do at the moment & they legally can’t tell you why your accounts are blocked! So no point ringing up! 

open bank account with different bank, they might let you take cash out in branch with id for blocked accounts!

They asked for your employment as want to know your doing a legit job etc! & that money from you’re partner is not dodgy! 

We want the real reason why you’re transferring money from your account to your other account then to your child’s account! As That account isn’t for you to use for yourself, it for saving for your child’s future!  (That’s the main reason they blocked your account & asked for child tax status) 

I know you’re not gonna like it but you need to stop doing that ASAP before you get in more trouble! 

So if you wanna save some cash for yourself why don’t you put in an account in your name! There loads out there with good interest rates!

What I do not agree is why they have not asked before blocking the accounts about details or concerns on the amounts or transfers made. 

it's easy to assume wrong doing. it's important to consider someone circumstances, particularly of someone that no family around and wants to secure their child future. of course I have my own accounts and my own savings.  

I do not think is right to say that complaining and requesting a response within and individuals right is wanting something ASAP, I've been only following their advice, that for the complaint I would be contacted within 48 hours and for the blocked accounts would be 10 days. 

Masha_2

eskbanker said:

Masha_2 said:

Later that last request, I found my account, my saving account, my child account all frozen.

When I called, I was told it would be for 10 days. I had made a complaint in regards of my child data handling demanding compliance with processes around it. I had to be contacted about my complaint. I called again to know about my rights and about the complaint. In the call with the bank I found out that they do not have records of the conversations with the bank and the records said that they did not get to contact me, so they decided to freeze my accounts.

I wanted to complain about the missing records of the conversation held with me. Initially I was told that it was going to be joined to my initial complained. I was made clear also that I should have been told that my account was in review when I talked to them. To speak on behalf of my child, they said they required my child to be with me. Then later I called with my child, but they advised differently of what I initially had agreed. They did not want me to tell what they have in their records as my complaint, and they said no other information was added to the complaint and that I cannot edit the complaint and that as it’s only one complaint at a time. I had a very unpleasant conversation.

I am very concerned; I am not sure what to do. I do not know if sending a letter by post will make any difference, the complaint they have in their records is not accurate, and I was denied to clarify their records. 

I cannot believe the bank is entitled to treat people like that. Is there anything I can do?

I'm struggling to understand why you seem to be so focused on one or more data handling complaints rather than reinstating access to frozen accounts, but if you want to ascertain exactly what data the bank holds about you (including the complaint records) then you can submit a subject access request to their data protection officer, details of which will be shown in their published privacy policy.  They're then legally obliged to send you copies of the personal data they hold about you within a month, but this wouldn't seem likely to help you with access to the accounts?

Are the regular funds transfers being made between UK accounts, and are all parties concerned UK residents?

Because in the way they are doing it. I understand that if they were not happy with my response. that is okay. 
but they state I was not reachable to talk to them and therefore they have frozen the account. that is not right to me. mainly because they say they do not have records of any of my calls, however they say they will investigate. 
I do not know what can I do about the frozen accounts, unless there is the risk they find something illegal and are entitled to have the money, but I suppose before that happens I shall be given the opportunity to provide proof of all the movements and the money source, etc. 
We are all UK residents and have no accounts elsewhere in the world or US. 
For me my child's sensitive information is most that I care for and before they continue making mistakes I wanted them to revise and correct any misinformation or miss information they have. 
but thanks, surely SAR will be the way to go. 
thanks!

p00hsticks

Masha_2 said:

GTR_King said:

When they suspend/block accounts they don’t like activity being done on it for example fraud or business money on personal accounts! 

Only way to unblock your accounts is supply proof of funds & activity then let them do the CIAFS money laundry checks etc!

nothing you can do at the moment & they legally can’t tell you why your accounts are blocked! So no point ringing up! 

open bank account with different bank, they might let you take cash out in branch with id for blocked accounts!

They asked for your employment as want to know your doing a legit job etc! & that money from you’re partner is not dodgy! 

We want the real reason why you’re transferring money from your account to your other account then to your child’s account! As That account isn’t for you to use for yourself, it for saving for your child’s future!  (That’s the main reason they blocked your account & asked for child tax status) 

I know you’re not gonna like it but you need to stop doing that ASAP before you get in more trouble! 

So if you wanna save some cash for yourself why don’t you put in an account in your name! There loads out there with good interest rates!

What I do not agree is why they have not asked before blocking the accounts about details or concerns on the amounts or transfers made. 

If it's because they suspect money laundering (and moving money from one account through another to a third in quick succession as you appear to be doing would be a red flag) then legally the bank is not allowed to speak to you or warn you prior to freezing the account.

Ayr_Rage

You say you are UK residents but are you of British or other nationality?

Transfers from some countries often trigger markers for suspicious activity.

Masha_2

Ayr_Rage said:

You say you are UK residents but are you of British or other nationality?

Transfers from some countries often trigger markers for suspicious activity.

British and European. no transfer from or to other countries. 

born_again

Many reasons why there is a issue here.

Do you get benefits?

Ergates

Olinda99 said:

you mention FATCA - are you US citizens?

FATCA-CRS - covers most of the world (FATCA is the US, CRS is everyone else).