how to find if i have missing bank accounts (i have tried MSE recommended)

jungleboy123

Hello,

I am looking to see if i haven't missed any accounts. I've been so busy chasing saving rates from different banks, plus i have done a lot of account switches to maximise the cash incentives. Except for my current account and a few savings accounts I've forgot what i have opened/closed.

I have kept a running spreadsheet but sometimes i confuse myself!

Some of these accounts are probably earning or have accredited interest from previous years sat there.

Tried the MSE recommended sites but they have been of no use. They cant even find a single account. I think that's because some of them ask you for specifics that i don't know.

How can i find bank accounts that i may have forgotten about?

Thanks.

SiliconChip

Why do you think your spreadsheet is incorrect? That should be your starting point, you should be able to at least verify which of the accounts listed in there exist, or existed at one time. After that almost all accounts I've had either send a paper statement or email to say a statement is available at least once a year, so searching your emails and paper records may reveal some accounts that had gone missing - the only likely exception is any app only bank that alerts you in the app but not anywhere else.

PRAISETHESUN

Without knowing what you've already tried, I'd start here: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/reclaim-lost-assets-free

Failing that, it could be worth checking your credit files form all 3 CRAs to see if anything is being reported that you don't know about. And if that fails, I guess you could just go around submitting DSARs to every UK bank you think you might have had an account with and see if they come back with any information...

jungleboy123

SiliconChip said:

Why do you think your spreadsheet is incorrect? That should be your starting point, you should be able to at least verify which of the accounts listed in there exist, or existed at one time. After that almost all accounts I've had either send a paper statement or email to say a statement is available at least once a year, so searching your emails and paper records may reveal some accounts that had gone missing - the only likely exception is any app only bank that alerts you in the app but not anywhere else.

My spreadsheet is correct, at least I'm 90% certain. The issue is some of these accounts i may have forgotten to close or not followed it up e.g. savings.

I probably have a few quid lying in these as overlapping interest, which would be good to move to my current account and also close them at the same time.

jungleboy123

PRAISETHESUN said:

Without knowing what you've already tried, I'd start here: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/reclaim-lost-assets-free

Failing that, it could be worth checking your credit files form all 3 CRAs to see if anything is being reported that you don't know about. And if that fails, I guess you could just go around submitting DSARs to every UK bank you think you might have had an account with and see if they come back with any information...

tried that but nothing came up at all, put all my detail in as i would when opening a new bank account too.

The DSAR looks interesting, i'll try that.

Nasqueron

jungleboy123 said:

SiliconChip said:

Why do you think your spreadsheet is incorrect? That should be your starting point, you should be able to at least verify which of the accounts listed in there exist, or existed at one time. After that almost all accounts I've had either send a paper statement or email to say a statement is available at least once a year, so searching your emails and paper records may reveal some accounts that had gone missing - the only likely exception is any app only bank that alerts you in the app but not anywhere else.

My spreadsheet is correct, at least I'm 90% certain. The issue is some of these accounts i may have forgotten to close or not followed it up e.g. savings.

I probably have a few quid lying in these as overlapping interest, which would be good to move to my current account and also close them at the same time.

Just FYI most, if not all, banks will send you letters if they're looking to close an unused account - usually inactive for 1-3 years depending on policy - that doesn't mean no money in, but lack of activity 

TheBanker

jungleboy123 said:

SiliconChip said:

Why do you think your spreadsheet is incorrect? That should be your starting point, you should be able to at least verify which of the accounts listed in there exist, or existed at one time. After that almost all accounts I've had either send a paper statement or email to say a statement is available at least once a year, so searching your emails and paper records may reveal some accounts that had gone missing - the only likely exception is any app only bank that alerts you in the app but not anywhere else.

My spreadsheet is correct, at least I'm 90% certain. The issue is some of these accounts i may have forgotten to close or not followed it up e.g. savings.

I probably have a few quid lying in these as overlapping interest, which would be good to move to my current account and also close them at the same time.

If you already know where the accounts are and have the account numbers then you don't need to use the Lost Account service. Just contact each bank and ask if the account is still open. You might need to write or go through some ID process, but I'd start by calling. 

wmb194

jungleboy123 said:

SiliconChip said:

Why do you think your spreadsheet is incorrect? That should be your starting point, you should be able to at least verify which of the accounts listed in there exist, or existed at one time. After that almost all accounts I've had either send a paper statement or email to say a statement is available at least once a year, so searching your emails and paper records may reveal some accounts that had gone missing - the only likely exception is any app only bank that alerts you in the app but not anywhere else.

My spreadsheet is correct, at least I'm 90% certain. The issue is some of these accounts i may have forgotten to close or not followed it up e.g. savings.

I probably have a few quid lying in these as overlapping interest, which would be good to move to my current account and also close them at the same time.

These banks and BS' don't have online services? Can you not just log in and have a look to see what's there? 

If you give it enough time i.e. probably after the summer you could call HMRC and ask it to send you the list of accounts that have reported interest against your name for the 24/25 tax year.