Hello, recently my NatWest bank account was unexpectedly closed due to an apparent commercial decision by the bank.

So as I've only now got 1 bank account I apply to open a basic bank account with HSBC which was accepted.

I received the pin and was waiting for the card to arrive and today I receive this letter.

It states that following a review of my application, we regret to advise you thar we no longer wish to provide you with a bank account and that they are closing it.

Closing a basic bank account seems extreme, feels like I've been blacklisted or something.

It's signed by the fraud operations, financial crime risk operations team.

This is really concerning as I know I haven't done anything wrong, but something strange is going on here.

Makes me wonder if my main account where my income goes will end up being closed too?

Will this kind of thing affect my disability benefits?

I have enough to deal with given all my health problems let alone all of this.

Who is your current account with now ?

Lloyds, I've had the account for 8 years, I also had the natwest one for about the same amount of time until they unexpectedly closed it down.

Anyone have any idea what's going on here?

Seems very random, never has any issues like this before.

It also revealed that the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) was dealing with 20 to 30 complaints a week about bank account closures. However, when Money spoke to the FOS this week, it estimated that the figure was now nearer 80-90 a week.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/feb/03/natwest-closed-my-account-with-no-explanation

Thanks for that, I read that after reading up when my NatWest Account was closed down, shouldn’t be allowed and it’s very concerning because if I lose my Lloyd’s account as well, I won’t be able to receive my income, this kind of thing seems to be getting worse.

Hmmm Send DSAR to the 2 banks that closed your accounts - Also go and check CIFAS

i have had the same problem with lloyds tsb about 4 years ago. they close it without any reason, just got the letter. tried opening bank account with other banks but, all declined. i haven't had the bank account since. i have to use my wife's account.

i have had the same problem with lloyds tsb about 4 years ago. they close it without any reason, just got the letter. tried opening bank account with other banks but, all declined. i haven't had the bank account since. i have to use my wife's account.

Then you need to get in contact with CIFAS and see what the deal is. That will be the reason for you not being able to open an account - Even a basic one.

thanks for the reply. i will get in touch with them.

My daughter cannot even get an account in her name due to a fraud from 2004. Someone tried to open an account in her name but got the middle name wrong. Her middle name is Julie however the fraudsters used Jane. Another trick they used was to order stuff in her name at an old address and when the delivery wasn't completed (as she wasn't there) the courier tried the next door neighbour (the fraudsters). The amount of debt collectors chasing her for these debts has been unreal but now they are all Statute Barred.

The damage has been done though. She has no credit history so the banks (as well as CIFAS) refuse her an account. She uses her husbands account.