Identification or lack thereof. What will they accept?

[leclerc]

One of my friends went into their bank and was told that they needed to produce proof of identity despite the fact that they have banked with HSBC for years and have got card and pin number etc etc.
They have asked them to provide proof of themselves. This is the stuff on their website: http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/contact-an.../hsbcsafeguard

Here's the problem: they don't drive and never have done, they don't travel abroad and never have done. They have absolutely no photo ID and they don't know where their last HMRC tax notification is. They have been told that a letter from the Doctor's confirming who they are is acceptable for proof of themselves but latest council tax/utility bill is not for proof of address. The latter bit I think is billhooks by the bank .

How can they prove that they are human to the bank who are happy to take their money, charge interest on their overdraft and process their card payments?

[Kati]

Re: Identification or lack thereof. What will they accept?

I had no driving license or passport when I opened my (Lloyds TSB) bank account a few years ago ... I had just moved house too, so didn't have much for my new house. I took in about 25 'other' things (jsa sign-on booklet, new rent agreement, letters from the gas and elec company for the new address plus old post office account statements and letters etc... from the old address) and still got an account in the end :lol: I suppose it just depends on the bank tho'

[Barnet]

Re: Identification or lack thereof. What will they accept?

Try approaching another bank and see if their POI is more relaxed. If so, change banks!

[charitynjw]

Re: Identification or lack thereof. What will they accept?

I had no driving license or passport when I opened my (Lloyds TSB) bank account a few years ago ... I had just moved house too, so didn't have much for my new house. I took in about 25 'other' things (jsa sign-on booklet, new rent agreement, letters from the gas and elec company for the new address plus old post office account statements and letters etc... from the old address) and still got an account in the end :lol: I suppose it just depends on the bank tho'

Ah, but that's Lloyds TSB............they'd take anyone...........:bolt:

[Kati]

Re: Identification or lack thereof. What will they accept?

Ah, but that's Lloyds TSB............they'd take anyone...........:bolt:

true msl: ... they took ME

[charitynjw]

Re: Identification or lack thereof. What will they accept?

When I opened a bare-bones account with Metro, although they did need initially to see the usual ID, they also took a photo of me.

Now they just refer to that if necessary.

[des8]

Re: Identification or lack thereof. What will they accept?

I think we appreciate that all banks have to ensure identification in an attempt to prevent money laundering.
When the branch asks for identification from an existing known account holder who wishes to open a second account it becomes a ridiculous jobsworth incident.
My OH has banked at Barclays for more years than I can remember, so when she wanted to open a savings a/c she was amazed to be asked for identification proof from the cashier who served her almost weekly.
Not wanting to return home for documentation (15 mile round trip) she complained loudly and at length in the banking hall and threatened to move her other accounts.
They managed to agree she was she!

On another occasion we were in Margate. Kent sorting out late aunt's effects etc.
Lloyd's Margate opened an account for her in their Cardigan branch, on sight of the will only.

Difference in attitude amazing.

[leclerc]

Re: Identification or lack thereof. What will they accept?

That is the thing, they have a shyte credit record and really won't move banks but they've been asked for this by the bank yet they have yet to write out asking for it. They won't do anything unless the bank starts being an arse and then they'll sort it but I did think it was a bit much and they were saying things such as proof of address were not suitable for that bit(I'd have enjoyed that argument with them, if truth be told!!)