I've two cash ISAs by no identity documents

[Deleted User]

I've enough money to open the Lloyds fixed rate 6.5% ISA, but don't have any documents to prove identity (passport is expired and I don't drive) so they can't sell me the deal.

I've looked through this site, but can't find a 'best buy' table written by Martin. My current ISAs are with Abbey and NS&I. Do I really have to buy a passport to be able to get a decent rate ISA?

Considering Lloyds can't help me open a new account I guess everywhere else that I don't have an account with will be the same? Am I really limited to opening an ISA with my current account provider or through one of my savings account providers?

Can anyone advise how I might proceed.

Aegis

You'll have difficulty becoming a bank customer without a form of ID and a document that verifies your address. A bill will do for the latter, but the former requires a passport, driving licence or another form of photo ID. This is all part of their anti-fraud methods.

Online accounts are a bit different because they often do a search on the electoral roll or through your national insurance number, then the bank will sometimes require another bank's statements to verify your residence at your address.

Hope that give a little insight!

TomsMom

I don't have any photo ID other than my passport but I have just opened an account (not ISA) with the Coventry and they sent a list of documents you could send to confirm who you are. Besides driving licence and passport they listed

Inland Revenue PAYE coding notice (P2) for current tax year
Inland Revenue tax assessement - most recent year
Inland Revenue statement of account for current tax year
DSS benefit book or official notice issued by Benefits Agency
Residence permit issued by Home Office
Shotgun or firearms certificate

I sent the Inland Revenue statement of account from this group (as I didn't want to send my passport and a photo wouldn't be particularly useful anyway as it was a postal application!) and a credit card statement from the other group to confirm name and address.

Maybe you could enquire whether one of these Inland Revenue documents would be acceptable to Lloyds.

Wolfhound

After reading a few of the posts on here I was a bit wary of Lloyds TSB's cash ISAs. Yesterday I was in the local branch with Mr Wolfhound as he wanted to transfer a few ISA's over to Lloyds, he has a savings account with them.
I casually mentioned that I was thinking of switching to them from Abbey but I was not a customer and I didn't have my passport with me.
All I had on me was my Abbey bank card and that was all he needed. He checked my name on the electoral roll and that was it.

We didn't get the hard sell that some people have experienced. Twenty minutes later our two cash ISA's were set up and the transfers were in motion. Excellent service.

[Deleted User]

I'm searching for a vehicle to take next years 3600.

I'm looking at internet accounts and companies for whom I already have accounts - though at 5.55% and 5.35% rates so far, it's a bit depressing.

Can anyone advise where I can find a 'best buy' table please.

Hiphouse

Stompa

Deleted_User wrote: »

...but don't have any documents to prove identity (passport is expired and I don't drive) so they can't sell me the deal.

Yes, I'm in the same situation. FWIW they have a list of alternative acceptable proofs of ID here:

http://www.lloydstsb.com/stand_alone/proof_id.asp

though I don't have any of those either! Perhaps it's worth contacting them to see if they'll accept anything else.

The whole system is crazy. On the other hand I've never had a problem opening internet accounts, where physical proof of ID is (generally) not required.

TomsMom

Deleted_User wrote: »

I'm searching for a vehicle to take next years 3600.

I'm looking at internet accounts and companies for whom I already have accounts - though at 5.55% and 5.35% rates so far, it's a bit depressing.

Can anyone advise where I can find a 'best buy' table please.

Hiphouse

Kazza updates this regularly on this forum http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=401374

Martin has this article http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/best-cash-isa

Then there's this http://www.moneyfacts.co.uk/savings/bestbuys/mini-cash-isa.aspx

Also http://www.moneysupermarket.com/isa/IsasResults.asp

You need to decide if you want a fixed rate, variable rate, are transferring old money in or whether it is new money only. Lots of choice.

suelees1

We each opened an TSB ISA today and although we took passports in they didn't need them as they said we checked out ok on the electoral register

They told us the 6.5% offer might be withdrawn next Friday 11th April

PBA

Some banks are piloting electronic ID checks, the same sort of thing the online banks do to avoid having to bring ID. Suelees suggests Lloyds have this system, so might be worth a try.

Alternatively, as you've already got an ISA with Abbey, you could change it to Direct ISA issue 2 paying 6.25% and transfer your other ISA in to that. No ID would be required as you wouldn't technically be opening a new account.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for everyone's response. I'm very grateful for the support. It can get frustrating, so it's great to have this board.

I've been given definite negatives from banks that others have had luck with. So, I've gone with the Abbey ISA 6.25% - agreed this morning at the branch itself that I don't need ID. Should all be sorted by the end of the week (yeah, right)!

Thanks for everyone's responses. Aegis, thanks for the clarification about the ID documents. Thanks to everyone else for the support, advice and links. Much appreciated.

Good luck to others!
Hiphouse