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The Top Regular Savers Discussion Thread

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Comments

  • kermchem
    kermchem Posts: 98 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    WillPS said:
    Kim_13 said:
    As they want less ID to apply by post than in person, I wonder if that is the reason for insisting on a cheque - effectively counting the cheque as the second piece of ID.
    Would make sense, except they don't seem to demand the cheque is drawn from an account in the same name?

    Last tiny font line of the application form says "For postal applications your first deposit must be made by cheque and must be issued from a UK Bank or Building Society Account in your name"

    Now it doesn't specify who the cheque must be made out to! I hope "Scottish Building Scoiety a/c name" will work.
  • gt94sss2 said:
    fuzzzzy said:
    Kim_13 said:
    I applied for the Scottish BS RS this morning by email.
    Just had an email from them advising that the account is now open and ready to be funded. They have asked me to post them a cheque. I have emailed them back advising that I don’t have a cheque book, and  have asked if I can do a bank transfer from my nominated bank .
    Thanks, please let us know what they say. If it's necessary to post a cheque then there's little point to an emailed application, as it doesn't save the postage.
    Just had the following email response from them 

    Regrettably, for postal applications, the initial payment must be made by personal cheque drawn from a UK Bank or Building Society account in your name. This requirement is stated at the bottom of our application form.

    Please confirm whether you are able to provide a cheque from an account held in your name. Unfortunately, if this is not possible, we will be unable to proceed with your application.

    Cheque only?, how archaic 
    I would not be so bothered about the cheque requirements, I can dig out my old cheque book. I'm more bothered by the ID requirements. Does everyone need to supply ID, can they not verify anyone electronically? 

    My reading of Scottish BS's requirements was that you didn't need to email your id documents to them and that were only needed if electronic verification failed.

    I could be wrong. Their website/pdf on this is unclear..
    Scottish BS RS 

    That's my interpretation, too. I'll try on Friday via email and null ID (apart from my driving licence number).
  • masonic
    masonic Posts: 28,689 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 2 October 2025 at 5:49AM
    gt94sss2 said:
    fuzzzzy said:
    Kim_13 said:
    I applied for the Scottish BS RS this morning by email.
    Just had an email from them advising that the account is now open and ready to be funded. They have asked me to post them a cheque. I have emailed them back advising that I don’t have a cheque book, and  have asked if I can do a bank transfer from my nominated bank .
    Thanks, please let us know what they say. If it's necessary to post a cheque then there's little point to an emailed application, as it doesn't save the postage.
    Just had the following email response from them 

    Regrettably, for postal applications, the initial payment must be made by personal cheque drawn from a UK Bank or Building Society account in your name. This requirement is stated at the bottom of our application form.

    Please confirm whether you are able to provide a cheque from an account held in your name. Unfortunately, if this is not possible, we will be unable to proceed with your application.

    Cheque only?, how archaic 
    I would not be so bothered about the cheque requirements, I can dig out my old cheque book. I'm more bothered by the ID requirements. Does everyone need to supply ID, can they not verify anyone electronically? 

    My reading of Scottish BS's requirements was that you didn't need to email your id documents to them and that were only needed if electronic verification failed.

    I could be wrong. Their website/pdf on this is unclear..
    Emailing the postal application form is a non-standard way of applying. It is not an online application, as you cannot apply for this account online. Therefore the relevant section will be for postal applications:
    They are using the licence number to run electronic checks, which a few other savings providers do, but they also ask for a photocopy for some unknown reason. If electronic verification fails, the un-certified photocopies are insufficient, so they will follow up and ask you to get the document certified.
    Then there is the issue of the cheque, which I agree with others forms a second piece of identity verification for a postal application (this is also something other providers use). You cannot provide a photocopy of your cheque in an email. Although a sending a photocopy of a cheque by email is safer than sending a photocopy of your passport or driving licence.
    Easiest and safest option, although not cheapest, is to post the application, ID and cheque together. One person mentioned getting them to send an application form by post. Perhaps this would arrive with a postage paid return envelope.
  • topyam
    topyam Posts: 373 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 2 October 2025 at 6:23AM
    Am tempted to leave this one a few days to see how it plays out and what's expected

    Though is it too good a rate to take the risk as they could end up pulling it....
  • masonic said:
    gt94sss2 said:
    fuzzzzy said:
    Kim_13 said:
    I applied for the Scottish BS RS this morning by email.
    Just had an email from them advising that the account is now open and ready to be funded. They have asked me to post them a cheque. I have emailed them back advising that I don’t have a cheque book, and  have asked if I can do a bank transfer from my nominated bank .
    Thanks, please let us know what they say. If it's necessary to post a cheque then there's little point to an emailed application, as it doesn't save the postage.
    Just had the following email response from them 

    Regrettably, for postal applications, the initial payment must be made by personal cheque drawn from a UK Bank or Building Society account in your name. This requirement is stated at the bottom of our application form.

    Please confirm whether you are able to provide a cheque from an account held in your name. Unfortunately, if this is not possible, we will be unable to proceed with your application.

    Cheque only?, how archaic 
    I would not be so bothered about the cheque requirements, I can dig out my old cheque book. I'm more bothered by the ID requirements. Does everyone need to supply ID, can they not verify anyone electronically? 

    My reading of Scottish BS's requirements was that you didn't need to email your id documents to them and that were only needed if electronic verification failed.

    I could be wrong. Their website/pdf on this is unclear..
    Emailing the postal application form is a non-standard way of applying. It is not an online application, as you cannot apply for this account online. Therefore the relevant section will be for postal applications:

    Easiest and safest option, although not cheapest, is to post the application, ID and cheque together. One person mentioned getting them to send an application form by post. Perhaps this would arrive with a postage paid return envelope.
    Scottish BS. I was told they do provide a pre-paid envelope with the application package, so hopefully this is correct. I went ahead and applied by email yesterday but my plan is to send the cheque, plus any additional ID if they request it, using their envelope when it arrives.
  • s71hj
    s71hj Posts: 1,095 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    masonic said:
    gt94sss2 said:
    fuzzzzy said:
    Kim_13 said:
    I applied for the Scottish BS RS this morning by email.
    Just had an email from them advising that the account is now open and ready to be funded. They have asked me to post them a cheque. I have emailed them back advising that I don’t have a cheque book, and  have asked if I can do a bank transfer from my nominated bank .
    Thanks, please let us know what they say. If it's necessary to post a cheque then there's little point to an emailed application, as it doesn't save the postage.
    Just had the following email response from them 

    Regrettably, for postal applications, the initial payment must be made by personal cheque drawn from a UK Bank or Building Society account in your name. This requirement is stated at the bottom of our application form.

    Please confirm whether you are able to provide a cheque from an account held in your name. Unfortunately, if this is not possible, we will be unable to proceed with your application.

    Cheque only?, how archaic 
    I would not be so bothered about the cheque requirements, I can dig out my old cheque book. I'm more bothered by the ID requirements. Does everyone need to supply ID, can they not verify anyone electronically? 

    My reading of Scottish BS's requirements was that you didn't need to email your id documents to them and that were only needed if electronic verification failed.

    I could be wrong. Their website/pdf on this is unclear..
    Emailing the postal application form is a non-standard way of applying. It is not an online application, as you cannot apply for this account online. Therefore the relevant section will be for postal applications:

    Easiest and safest option, although not cheapest, is to post the application, ID and cheque together. One person mentioned getting them to send an application form by post. Perhaps this would arrive with a postage paid return envelope.
    Scottish BS. I was told they do provide a pre-paid envelope with the application package, so hopefully this is correct. I went ahead and applied by email yesterday but my plan is to send the cheque, plus any additional ID if they request it, using their envelope when it arrives.
    Is there a way to get them to send you an application form with envelope - I can only see a link  to download the form. 
  • s71hj said:
    masonic said:
    gt94sss2 said:
    fuzzzzy said:
    Kim_13 said:
    I applied for the Scottish BS RS this morning by email.
    Just had an email from them advising that the account is now open and ready to be funded. They have asked me to post them a cheque. I have emailed them back advising that I don’t have a cheque book, and  have asked if I can do a bank transfer from my nominated bank .
    Thanks, please let us know what they say. If it's necessary to post a cheque then there's little point to an emailed application, as it doesn't save the postage.
    Just had the following email response from them 

    Regrettably, for postal applications, the initial payment must be made by personal cheque drawn from a UK Bank or Building Society account in your name. This requirement is stated at the bottom of our application form.

    Please confirm whether you are able to provide a cheque from an account held in your name. Unfortunately, if this is not possible, we will be unable to proceed with your application.

    Cheque only?, how archaic 
    I would not be so bothered about the cheque requirements, I can dig out my old cheque book. I'm more bothered by the ID requirements. Does everyone need to supply ID, can they not verify anyone electronically? 

    My reading of Scottish BS's requirements was that you didn't need to email your id documents to them and that were only needed if electronic verification failed.

    I could be wrong. Their website/pdf on this is unclear..
    Emailing the postal application form is a non-standard way of applying. It is not an online application, as you cannot apply for this account online. Therefore the relevant section will be for postal applications:

    Easiest and safest option, although not cheapest, is to post the application, ID and cheque together. One person mentioned getting them to send an application form by post. Perhaps this would arrive with a postage paid return envelope.
    Scottish BS. I was told they do provide a pre-paid envelope with the application package, so hopefully this is correct. I went ahead and applied by email yesterday but my plan is to send the cheque, plus any additional ID if they request it, using their envelope when it arrives.
    Is there a way to get them to send you an application form with envelope - I can only see a link  to download the form. 
    Ring them up and ask?
  • allegro120
    allegro120 Posts: 2,344 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Scottish BS
    I've sent the application with ID by e-mail.  I inserted a picture of my signature in the relevant box instead of printing and scanning.  I didn't think they will notice because it looked as signed and scanned.  I was wrong. Got e-mail this morning:
    "Unfortunately we are unable to accept your application as we require the application to be signed with a wet signature and are unable to accept a digital signature or a signature added electronically in any way. Please print out and sign the completed form with a wet signature. You can then scan and attach the image to an email to send back to us, alternatively you can post the form to one of our branches or the head office."

    I called them.  They confirmed that sending the cheque is unavoidable, so there's no advantage of sending the form and ID by e-mail.  Requested the form and envelope and will be now applying by post.  They also confirmed that a photocopy of passport will be sufficient (no need to send original or certified copy).
  • BestSeagull
    BestSeagull Posts: 265 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 2 October 2025 at 10:11AM
    s71hj said:
    masonic said:
    gt94sss2 said:
    fuzzzzy said:
    Kim_13 said:
    I applied for the Scottish BS RS this morning by email.
    Just had an email from them advising that the account is now open and ready to be funded. They have asked me to post them a cheque. I have emailed them back advising that I don’t have a cheque book, and  have asked if I can do a bank transfer from my nominated bank .
    Thanks, please let us know what they say. If it's necessary to post a cheque then there's little point to an emailed application, as it doesn't save the postage.
    Just had the following email response from them 

    Regrettably, for postal applications, the initial payment must be made by personal cheque drawn from a UK Bank or Building Society account in your name. This requirement is stated at the bottom of our application form.

    Please confirm whether you are able to provide a cheque from an account held in your name. Unfortunately, if this is not possible, we will be unable to proceed with your application.

    Cheque only?, how archaic 
    I would not be so bothered about the cheque requirements, I can dig out my old cheque book. I'm more bothered by the ID requirements. Does everyone need to supply ID, can they not verify anyone electronically? 

    My reading of Scottish BS's requirements was that you didn't need to email your id documents to them and that were only needed if electronic verification failed.

    I could be wrong. Their website/pdf on this is unclear..
    Emailing the postal application form is a non-standard way of applying. It is not an online application, as you cannot apply for this account online. Therefore the relevant section will be for postal applications:

    Easiest and safest option, although not cheapest, is to post the application, ID and cheque together. One person mentioned getting them to send an application form by post. Perhaps this would arrive with a postage paid return envelope.
    Scottish BS. I was told they do provide a pre-paid envelope with the application package, so hopefully this is correct. I went ahead and applied by email yesterday but my plan is to send the cheque, plus any additional ID if they request it, using their envelope when it arrives.
    Is there a way to get them to send you an application form with envelope - I can only see a link  to download the form. 
    I called yesterday morning and they offered to send the form/envelope/info. But your freepost address looks like a winner if you just need the "stamp"
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