A question for bankworkers

[righty]

I have just finished a telephone conversation with a mother who's now 18 year old son has had a bank account since being a small child (his gran opened it for him)

On his 18th birthday he decided & did change his surname by deed poll to reflect the name of his step-dad who's been his proper dad since he was 4years old

He & his gran visited the bank to see what would be required to change the name on his account & was informed by the manager that his deed poll plus proof of address would be sufficient.

However when he next went to the bank he was told by the same manager that it' wouldn't be enough & that he would need a passport which of course he doesn't have as he has never been abroad.

Does the bank really expect an 18 year old who's just left school to pay £80 for a passport when a) he can't afford it & b) he isn't required by law to have one.

Before I tell you my response I have a question ................is this lawful and are the government trying to introduce ID cards via the back door by 'encouraging' the banks to insist on such ID evidence

[natweststaffmember]

Re: A question for bankworkers

Is he working or studying?

[Amethyst]

Re: A question for bankworkers

From the BBA leaflet on opening a bank account (proof of identity which I assume will be same proving old identity in order to use the deed poll info to change)

What if I can’t provide the documents
suggested?
There are exceptional procedures in place to
help customers who cannot provide the
preferred documents. Don’t be put off by the
mention of passports and driving licences.
These tend to be the documents that are
preferred because they are official documents
and most people can provide them, but they are
not the only way of enabling a bank to satisfy
itself of your identity.
Many people have reasonable grounds for not
being able to produce the recommended documents. For example, they may have never
been abroad, so do not have a passport, have
never learnt to drive or their spouse may pay the
council tax bill. To help in all these cases, all banks
and building societies have procedures that
permit other proofs of identity to be accepted.
These procedures may, for example, include a
letter from the matron of a residential care home
for the elderly or a housing association tenancy
agreement.
Discuss with a member of staff what sorts of
documents you can produce. If necessary, the
member of staff can refer your application to
someone who is authorised to decide in
exceptional cases.
Please remember though, the law requires that
you must provide satisfactory proof of your
identity. If you cannot meet this requirement, then
under the law the bank or building society must
not open an account for you.
The British Bankers’ Association publishes a
separate leaflet for international students and this
is available from banks, universities and colleges.

[Happyolddog]

Re: A question for bankworkers

I guess he must have a birth certificate and proof of his name change, they should be evidence enough.

[righty]

Re: A question for bankworkers

From the BBA leaflet on opening a bank account (proof of identity which I assume will be same proving old identity in order to use the deed poll info to change)

Thanks for that .......Q under which law? ........& if they are referring to money laundering that's wrong, there is only guidance which is NOT part of statute

He's only just finished his schooling & not yet working though he has applied for a clerical job at Scotland Yard
------------------------------- merged -------------------------------

I guess he must have a birth certificate and proof of his name change, they should be evidence enough.

Yes but they changed their minds & have now refused to accept this evidence