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. |
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. |
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
Originally Posted by richarddance
(Post 12888215)
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. 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! :eek: * 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. |
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 ! |
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. |
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
Originally Posted by FlameAura
(Post 12888673)
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. Please have some empathy as i spent most of my salary and this was my nest egg. |
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
Invoices. records of hours worked .... ?
|
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
Originally Posted by SanDiegogirl
(Post 12888751)
Invoices. records of hours worked .... ?
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. |
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
Originally Posted by Pulaski
(Post 12888764)
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. :unsure: 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. |
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..... |
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
Originally Posted by richarddance
(Post 12888768)
All the format i provided the evidence was not acceptable, but they did not say what was acceptable, i am not a solicitor so do not understand the laws here, not sure what to do,
I am at my wits end, so will probably have to give up. |
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
People on the web are suggesting contacting the following organisation:
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/ |
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
Originally Posted by Pulaski
(Post 12888776)
No they're not, like I said, it will be forfeited.
As i cannot provide evidence the money is mine, |
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
Originally Posted by Pulaski
(Post 12888776)
No they're not, like I said, it will be forfeited.
....meaning what? The bank itself does not keep the money, but it goes where... ? the government, HMRC ? Boris Johnson's slush fund ? |
Re: Starlingbank has closed my account.
Originally Posted by richarddance
(Post 12888215)
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. 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. |
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