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AIBU?

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Original poster

Bank worker has just lectured me on my spending

236 replies

kissfromaroses · 17/09/2026 17:15

I have been saving for a big shopping day for a while now. I’ve realised I hate going out to the shops so have instead done it online.

I transferred the savings into my spending account this morning and through the day have ordered bits and bobs. I tried to order something this afternoon and the card got blocked.

No worries, I call them to clarify.

The worker went far beyond fraud protection, in my eyes. She told me I was irresponsibly spending, I need to be careful as it looks like money laundering, and I’m now a red flag to lenders!

I didn’t ask for any of this. I’ve saved for six months to spend about £1,200. AIBU to consider a complaint?!

OP posts:
dogproblems1 · 17/09/2026 17:30

Put in a complaint about this person.

Londongent · 17/09/2026 17:29

Which bank?

FannybygaslightinGovan · 17/09/2026 17:28

Definitely complain. The agent perhaps didn't mean to come across as scolding but it needs to be fed back to her and her line manager that she cannot speak to customers like that.

I worked in a bank call centre many moons ago and heard one agent on the phone to a customer saying, 'no sir that product is for our valued customers only' 🫣😂

Original poster
kissfromaroses · 17/09/2026 17:26

LavenderDisco · 17/09/2026 17:25

Well it sounds like an unusual spending pattern for your account. Banks have responsibilities to notice and investigate unusual spending which could be fraud, money laundering, financial coercion etc. Having investigated by speaking to you they should have been able to either set their record straight or if they had any concerns about your explanation, either pursue it now or keep an eye on your account for further odd activity. The person told you how to avoid being flagged in the future. The "irresponsible spending" comment is the only thing in your OP that oversteps into plain rudeness. That's a personal opinion and a judgement. If you're going to complain, I'd focus just on that bit

And as I’ve said I completely agree that they have anti fraud duties. I’m not bothered by that. It’s the lecture that annoyed me

OP posts:
notthatoldchestnut · 17/09/2026 17:25

How rude! I regularly spend that sort of money when I’m shopping as I also hate the shops and I know that everything is needed in different sizes.

she needs to pipe down

LavenderDisco · 17/09/2026 17:25

Well it sounds like an unusual spending pattern for your account. Banks have responsibilities to notice and investigate unusual spending which could be fraud, money laundering, financial coercion etc. Having investigated by speaking to you they should have been able to either set their record straight or if they had any concerns about your explanation, either pursue it now or keep an eye on your account for further odd activity. The person told you how to avoid being flagged in the future. The "irresponsible spending" comment is the only thing in your OP that oversteps into plain rudeness. That's a personal opinion and a judgement. If you're going to complain, I'd focus just on that bit

MummyOre · 17/09/2026 17:25

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
kissfromaroses · 17/09/2026 17:21

CivilservicesuccessStories · 17/09/2026 17:18

How ridiculous I don’t understand their point of view at all. Blocking yes for unusual activity to potentially protect you if theft has occurred, but we should be able to do what we want with our money without accusations like this.

I suppose if it was a repeated pattern of behaviours then maybe a quiet investigation would take place behind the scenes as the telling off would surely alert any potential criminals?

I completely understand that it comes across a bit off - a larger payment into my account than usual and more transactions than usual. Fine.

What I don’t like is being scolded like a child

OP posts:
TFImBackIn · 17/09/2026 17:20

I'd make a complaint about that. What's it got to do with her what you spend your money on? The call should have been recorded so I'd ask someone to listen to it.

SirenScream · 17/09/2026 17:19

'does your boss know you speak to customers like that?'

CivilservicesuccessStories · 17/09/2026 17:18

How ridiculous I don’t understand their point of view at all. Blocking yes for unusual activity to potentially protect you if theft has occurred, but we should be able to do what we want with our money without accusations like this.

I suppose if it was a repeated pattern of behaviours then maybe a quiet investigation would take place behind the scenes as the telling off would surely alert any potential criminals?