Starlingbank has closed my account.
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 8
Starlingbank has closed my account.
I have been working for Xerox Emirates for the past few years, and due to the economic downturn have decided to come back to the UK.
I have about £25k in my Starlingbank account which has been frozen.
They have closed my account until i can verify where the funds are from, since i was consulting for multiple companies i am finding it difficult to get paperwork, we all know what the ME is like for paperwork.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Richard
Information has come to light which is of concern to Starling Bank, as such we are closing your account.
Under the terms and conditions of your account, we can withdraw banking facilities by giving you notice in writing, and in-line with company policy, we don't elaborate further on how we've reached this decision.
Your account has now been closed
We can’t provide any further information on this decision and unfortunately our customer service team will be unable to provide any further clarification on this matter.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Team Starling
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I cannot access my money what is the best action to take.
I have about £25k in my Starlingbank account which has been frozen.
They have closed my account until i can verify where the funds are from, since i was consulting for multiple companies i am finding it difficult to get paperwork, we all know what the ME is like for paperwork.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Richard
Information has come to light which is of concern to Starling Bank, as such we are closing your account.
Under the terms and conditions of your account, we can withdraw banking facilities by giving you notice in writing, and in-line with company policy, we don't elaborate further on how we've reached this decision.
Your account has now been closed
We can’t provide any further information on this decision and unfortunately our customer service team will be unable to provide any further clarification on this matter.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Team Starling
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I cannot access my money what is the best action to take.
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: bute
Posts: 9,740
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
Old hands in Saudi always advised newcomers to ship money out as soon as it arrived in your local bank account.
I think that advice applies to all over, but Starlingbank is a new one on me.
I think that advice applies to all over, but Starlingbank is a new one on me.
Last edited by scot47; Jul 27th 2020 at 8:51 pm.
#3
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
I have been working for Xerox Emirates for the past few years, and due to the economic downturn have decided to come back to the UK.
I have about £25k in my Starlingbank account which has been frozen.
They have closed my account until i can verify where the funds are from, since i was consulting for multiple companies i am finding it difficult to get paperwork, we all know what the ME is like for paperwork.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Richard
Information has come to light which is of concern to Starling Bank, as such we are closing your account.
Under the terms and conditions of your account, we can withdraw banking facilities by giving you notice in writing, and in-line with company policy, we don't elaborate further on how we've reached this decision.
Your account has now been closed
We can’t provide any further information on this decision and unfortunately our customer service team will be unable to provide any further clarification on this matter.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Team Starling
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I cannot access my money what is the best action to take.
I have about £25k in my Starlingbank account which has been frozen.
They have closed my account until i can verify where the funds are from, since i was consulting for multiple companies i am finding it difficult to get paperwork, we all know what the ME is like for paperwork.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Richard
Information has come to light which is of concern to Starling Bank, as such we are closing your account.
Under the terms and conditions of your account, we can withdraw banking facilities by giving you notice in writing, and in-line with company policy, we don't elaborate further on how we've reached this decision.
Your account has now been closed
We can’t provide any further information on this decision and unfortunately our customer service team will be unable to provide any further clarification on this matter.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Team Starling
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I cannot access my money what is the best action to take.
Your case is a text book example of why I have been telling people on BE for years, to contact their bank in the UK before wiring substantial funds into the account, otherwise the result may get ugly for at least a couple of reasons, as you may be about to find out!
* You need things like pay vouchers, invoices, contracts, task/ work descriptions (including locations), and all need to show thigs that can be checked - company names and registration numbers, addresses, phone numbers, names of owners and/or directors, etc.
BTW you say they have "frozen" your account. From the letter you have quoted, it looks more to me like they have closed your account, and the best you can hope for is that they'll send you a cheque. If a bank says they have "closed your account" I would not expect them to reopen it.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jul 27th 2020 at 8:05 pm.
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,654
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
That is one heck of a stark message from the bank. No indication of what they are doing with the money, and informing you that Customer Support cannot help you.
..... they did put a nice 'friendly' Richard though..... just the type of address you get from a scam artist !
..... they did put a nice 'friendly' Richard though..... just the type of address you get from a scam artist !
#5
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 19
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
We don't 'all know what the ME is like with paperwork'.
If it was all legit then I really don't see how you can not have any paperwork to show? Do they just deal cash in hand in the ME? Doubt it.
Sounds like they made the right decision to close your account as if you can't show a paper trail it sounds like dodgy work already.
If it was all legit then I really don't see how you can not have any paperwork to show? Do they just deal cash in hand in the ME? Doubt it.
Sounds like they made the right decision to close your account as if you can't show a paper trail it sounds like dodgy work already.
#6
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 8
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
We don't 'all know what the ME is like with paperwork'.
If it was all legit then I really don't see how you can not have any paperwork to show? Do they just deal cash in hand in the ME? Doubt it.
Sounds like they made the right decision to close your account as if you can't show a paper trail it sounds like dodgy work already.
If it was all legit then I really don't see how you can not have any paperwork to show? Do they just deal cash in hand in the ME? Doubt it.
Sounds like they made the right decision to close your account as if you can't show a paper trail it sounds like dodgy work already.
Please have some empathy as i spent most of my salary and this was my nest egg.
#8
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 8
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
I showed they my advertising, but they did not accept this they want evidence that is notarised, or they intend to confiscate my money.
Invoices and records of hours are not acceptable to them.
If Starlingbank had a branch then i could go to see them, as they are a mobilephone bank i have to email them or send them information on the app.
Invoices and records of hours are not acceptable to them.
If Starlingbank had a branch then i could go to see them, as they are a mobilephone bank i have to email them or send them information on the app.
#9
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 8
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
Going to see them wouldn't help. You are in a hole and no customer service staff are likely to be able to help you.
Given the wording of the letter you quoted, who told you they won't accept invoices and records? And if they told you anything, didn't they tell you what they will accept? I would expect that "basic records" of contracts (i.e. naming the paying party, the services to be provided, and the location) and invoices (dates, amounts paid, verifiable name of the payer, etc.) would be exactly what they are looking for.
At this point, retaining a solicitor in the UK may be your best option, but I am sceptical that most solicitors would be much help, and of course it won't be cheap, but at least it would lay the ground work if the funds are forfeited and you have to go to court to try to get them back.
Given the wording of the letter you quoted, who told you they won't accept invoices and records? And if they told you anything, didn't they tell you what they will accept? I would expect that "basic records" of contracts (i.e. naming the paying party, the services to be provided, and the location) and invoices (dates, amounts paid, verifiable name of the payer, etc.) would be exactly what they are looking for.
At this point, retaining a solicitor in the UK may be your best option, but I am sceptical that most solicitors would be much help, and of course it won't be cheap, but at least it would lay the ground work if the funds are forfeited and you have to go to court to try to get them back.
I am at my wits end, so will probably have to give up.
#10
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,654
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
Hang on though.... surely the bank just cannot take the money... ?? confiscate it without a reasonable explanation e.g money laundering, tax evasion ?
This bank has had some excellent reviews - surprised it could/would get away with this.
Banking Ombudsman....?
I'm assuming the bank is keeping the money - although the message to the poster does not say this. The OP's post gave me the impression he was in danger of losing the money.....
This bank has had some excellent reviews - surprised it could/would get away with this.
Banking Ombudsman....?
I'm assuming the bank is keeping the money - although the message to the poster does not say this. The OP's post gave me the impression he was in danger of losing the money.....
Last edited by SanDiegogirl; Jul 28th 2020 at 8:43 pm.
#11
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,654
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
People on the web are suggesting contacting the following organisation:
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
#13
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 8
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,654
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 526
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
I have been working for Xerox Emirates for the past few years, and due to the economic downturn have decided to come back to the UK.
I have about £25k in my Starlingbank account which has been frozen.
They have closed my account until i can verify where the funds are from, since i was consulting for multiple companies i am finding it difficult to get paperwork, we all know what the ME is like for paperwork.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Richard
Information has come to light which is of concern to Starling Bank, as such we are closing your account.
Under the terms and conditions of your account, we can withdraw banking facilities by giving you notice in writing, and in-line with company policy, we don't elaborate further on how we've reached this decision.
Your account has now been closed
We can’t provide any further information on this decision and unfortunately our customer service team will be unable to provide any further clarification on this matter.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Team Starling
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I cannot access my money what is the best action to take.
I have about £25k in my Starlingbank account which has been frozen.
They have closed my account until i can verify where the funds are from, since i was consulting for multiple companies i am finding it difficult to get paperwork, we all know what the ME is like for paperwork.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Richard
Information has come to light which is of concern to Starling Bank, as such we are closing your account.
Under the terms and conditions of your account, we can withdraw banking facilities by giving you notice in writing, and in-line with company policy, we don't elaborate further on how we've reached this decision.
Your account has now been closed
We can’t provide any further information on this decision and unfortunately our customer service team will be unable to provide any further clarification on this matter.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Team Starling
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I cannot access my money what is the best action to take.
Citizens Advice
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/de...ing-societies/
https://www.gov.uk/complain-financial-service
The Gov site Informs you about the financial ombudsman and tells you to apply for a copy of Bank's complaint procedure. I think that is vital. There seems to have been no due process .
It's best to write and send a registered letter asking for a copy of their complaints procedure and keep a copy and the tracking receipt as a first step. You must now document all your dealing with them, if you have not done so already.
Their address is : Starling Bank, 3rd floor, 2 Finsbury Ave, London EC2M 2PP
https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/
how to complain which guide
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rig...udsman-service
OR before using the Financial Ombudsman you could try Katie Morley- if your case is already with Ombudsman she cannot take it up.
Katie Morley investigates, at Money Telegraph, is good at these sort of issues where there is no sensible communication between HQ and customer. You will need to write a letter for her signed and addressed to the bank authorising them to speak to her and to disclose your personal information.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/ka...-contact-form/
You are up against the AML people in the back office ( anti money laundering) who are not empowered to apply common sense.