Very Odd....(nb)

[Neraida]

My bank (Lloyds TSB) decided to freeze my debit card on Friday and after chasing the issue up with them on the phone and being told that there is no problem, they want me to go into a branch with my passport and a couple of utility bills to 're-identify' myself in order for them the take the block off the card.

I find this quite intrusive, my account has been running as it usually does, no erratic transactions. Anyone familiar with this and know what it's about?


Claire

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/postlist.pl?Cat=&Board=wanted>Stuff Wanted </A>

 

[AlexL]

I could be something to do with the new money laundering laws. Are you in the process of buying a house or another large transaction? The new laws require all solicitors, estate agents and probably banks to officially identify people using passports etc.

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[Neraida]

Nope....

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[longjohnsilver]

Definitely money laundering, but suspect someone at their end has misunderstood wot is required.

Why not ask them to come out and see you? That may make them change their mind!

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[Mirelle]

Any transaction over £10,000.00 triggers an interest in "money laundering" and your Bank must show that they know who you are. If you have made any such transaction, even on another account, this might explain it.

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?

 

[penfold]

banks suck was Re: Very Odd....(nb)

hmmm.
Money laundering laws or otherwise, my gut instinct would be to tell them to sort it out pronto if they wish to keep my custom, and they can forget about me visiting them with a passport or whatever, inconveniencing myself for their convenience; there's plenty of competition out there, along with any number of folk wishing to give me unsecured loans at a gazillion percent APR, or secured loans where the small print allows them to send the bailiffs round for my soul........

banks are big pants.

cheers,
david

<hr width=100% size=1>What we are dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law....

 

[Joe_Cole]

banks suck was Re: Very Odd....(nb)

I'll second that!

Joe

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[rickp]

banks suck was Re: Very Odd....(nb)

Agreed. When Barclays told me that they couldn't setup a CHAPs transfer over the phone, despite them having accepted telephone instructions for BACs transfers of a larger amount before - I pointed out that if I came into the branch it would be to do one thing - close the account.

They held their ground. I now happily bank with someone else.

Rick

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[milltech]

....but shouldn't your bank know who you are?

It amazes me that my bank, (same Lloyds TSB), asked me for ID some weeks back. I've only been a customer for 41 years. Just because they've got staff rotation that's faster than the shit house door when the plagues in town isn't my fault.

I expect to be recognised.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[milltech]

....but shouldn't your bank know who you are?

It amazes me that my bank, (same Lloyds TSB), asked me for ID some weeks back. I've only been a customer for 41 years. Just because they've got staff rotation that's faster than the shit house door when the plagues in town isn't my fault.

I expect to be recognised.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[Neraida]

I duly turned up this afternoon with credit card bills from another bank for ID, plus my passport and they have sorted it, however, they haven't told me me why they blocked my card for 3 days, apart from that it was to 'protect' my account and that it was for 'security reasons'.

I feel a stroppy letter coming on.........

Whilst calling them over the weekend and today, I had to go through all the usual security questions to prove who I was. 'Isn't that enough'? I asked, apparently not!

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/postlist.pl?Cat=&Board=wanted>Stuff Wanted </A><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Neraida on 17/05/2004 18:21 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[A_7]

Just tell them if they're not careful you'll take your overdraft elsewhere!

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[Twister_Ken]

Banks are hacked off by this as well. It's to do with the Treasury making rules about ID requirements as a part of an anti-laundering push. As usual, whichever bunch of uncivil servants drafted the requirements had never worked in banks. I've just had much th esame thing with a joint account with SWMBO. The only proof of ID they held for her was in her maiden name, so they were required by HMG to ask her to supply something in her married name. This, after xx (where xx is a very big number) years of marriage!

As to them blocking your account, either they'd detected something they considered suspicious or they screwed up.

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[Peppermint]

Re: Do write in

A letter still gets more respect than phoning in.

If you were inconvienienced by there actions and by having to visit the branch, work out a reasonable cost basis and ask to be compensated. Add fifty quid to the costs for your distress when your card didn't work infront of your friends too.

They charge you pretty quickly if you breach your obligation to them.

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[cliff]

Any CASH transaction over £10,000.00 must be reported to HMG and any odd credit card transaction will have your bank asking questions. Say your card is used for general household purchases in "dibblework by the Sea" for example and suddenly there is a transaction from "Juicy Lucy's Tiger Den", Bangkok, Thailand naturaly your bank would be suspicious and freeze the account until resolved.
Today there is so much "cloning" of cards it is becoming extremely difficult to prevent fraud.

As for threatening to take your business elsewhere when asked for ID, A, the bank couldn't really care less unless you have mega bucks on deposit with them and B, the "new" bank will require all the same ID and more to open a new account.

BTW it helps if you also hold a business account or two in the same branch.

I am afraid the days of personal service are all but gone and joe public is unfortunately does not seem to help matters. If the law is you need ID then there is no point complaining to the bank but if it is only one particular bank demanding ID then you have a case and a valid grievence.

Remember that when you phone a bank you are talking to a receptionist, if you go in you wind up talking to a teller, neither if which has any powers of discretion. Try talking calmly and quietly to the manager, I mean there is no use talking to the monkey when it is the organ grinder who selects the tune.

Personally I think you will find ALL banks are in the same position as regard to the anti laundering laws and the need for ID



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[whisper]

I've just had two stupid occurences with Lloyds TSB and have this week changed to HSBC.
I have a Power of Attorney over my mother's affairs and she has had an account at Lloyds for about 60 yrs. She sold her house and on a Monday a.m. I deposited a 6 figure cheque at Lloyds, in my home town, not hers - her account was "based" in Stratford on Avon.
I had lent her a 5 figure amount as a bridging loan so on Weds. late p.m. I deposited a cheque, from her, at my bank thinking that it would get presented on the Thursday so allowing 4 days for the first cheque to clear. Couple of days later I was notified by both banks that the cheque was not being honoured as there were not sufficient funds in her account !!!! ????.

I decided that instead of me dealing with enquiries via Stratford I'd be better off having contact with LloydsTSB in Loughborough where I could call in at the branch easily. So, as one does, I tried to make an appointment to see someone there. The girl at the call centre took all the details and said "I'm sorry but I can't put you through as the Loughborough branch haven't seen a copy of the Power of Attorney and are therefore not allowed to discuss your mother's account with you"
Surprisingly I managed not to lose my temper and said " Hang on a minute, I'm not asking them to discuss anything yet, I just want an appointment. Then I'll take the document with me and all will be fine"
Reply was - "I see your point but they are not allowed to speak to you so I can't arrange an appointment, you'll have to call in instead"/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif WHAT A LOAD OF B*****KS !!!
There's more but I won't bore you with other details of their woeful customer relations.

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[Capt_Marlinspike]

Having banked with Lloyds for 30 years I finally got fed up with their complete incompetance. Moved all my accounts to Smile, the coop internet bank.
Smile are excellent, everything works, no cock ups so far in 3 years and they pay good interest on the current account.

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[Tomsk]

A couple of months ago, the day after payday, Lloyds TSB decided to close my bank account and cancel or platsic, DD's and SO's etc. This was all in error, and within 3 days all was open again and sorted...

EXCEPT

During the three days, a loan repayment was due out of my account to same Lloyds TSB, who in there wisdom at discovering that account had been closed, issued a notice of default against me!

GIVE ME STRENGTH!

<hr width=100% size=1>Tomsk -

What the hell... it's only money!