Worried - Spanish bank says I'm 'overdrawn' on a closed (while in credit) account!

[Tallships]

This is my first post here, so hello all. I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this.

 

We recently returned to the UK from Spain, after 5 years. Shortly before we left Spain (about 8 weeks ago) we (me and my husband) went down to our bank in person to close down our 2 accounts, one joint, one in my name.

 

Both accounts were in credit at the time of closing, and we withdrew all the remaining funds in cash at the same time. All this was done in person with our account manager. We had previously cancelled all direct debits on both the accounts. Both accounts had been in credit throughout our time in Spain. As far as I am aware, we do not owe anyone any money in Spain, we never owned any property in Spain, have no Spanish mortgages, no credit cards, or loans, and we have no debts in the UK.

 

Last week I got a strange email from the account manager, asking me to contact him urgently because my account was 'overdrawn' because there was an 'embargo' on the account. There was nothing on the email identifying it from the bank, except I recognised the name of the manager and there were some legal disclaimers at the bottom.

 

How can I be overdrawn on an account that is closed? An account that was in credit at the time of closing, with all direct debits cancelled? An 'embargo' apparently means that the account is frozen, presumably because of some alleged debt, but I have no idea what this could be, and have not received any demands for money.

 

I don't even know if I should reply to the email. I certainly don't want to give my telephone number (as the email asked) or details here in the Uk. The email did not say how much the account was 'overdrawn' by, so now I'm sick with worry, I don't understand this at all.

 

Any ideas welcome

[SabreSheep]

Sounds like the right thing you did was not phone and give any details.

 

Im guessing this account is also run under Spanish law so im not going to be much help here. Sure someone around will be

 

Best thing I could advise is WRITE to your old bank manager, enclose a copy of the email and send to the branch where you held the account. I would keep calm about it all until you get more information. Maybe create a new email and enclose that with the letter so it gives you some more reassurance that only the recipient of your letter knows it.

[unclebulgaria67]

Sounds like the right thing you did was not phone and give any details.

 

Im guessing this account is also run under Spanish law so im not going to be much help here. Sure someone around will be

 

Best thing I could advise is WRITE to your old bank manager, enclose a copy of the email and send to the branch where you held the account. I would keep calm about it all until you get more information. Maybe create a new email and enclose that with the letter so it gives you some more reassurance that only the recipient of your letter knows it.

 

Agree, write to the bank and ask for a copy of the last statement of account. If you have ever paid by debit card, it could be that some company has been late processing an amount or there is a continuous payment amount gone through. If you pay by debit card, because you have authorised the payment, it can go through even if the account is closed. This is what happens in the UK, so I should imagine Spain would be similar.

[Tallships]

Many thanks for your replies. I've done what you suggested so am waiting for more information...