Bank worker has just lectured me on my spending

Misinformation, social media strikes again. It had been debunked.

Over 60s are statistically more likely to fall for scams and be victimised. Banks and finance providers are more cautious when flagging fraud on their accounts

I'm not aware of this either, I'd be interested to hear more.

What is the new over 60s rule, I’ve not heard of this?

They told me the same but the account for me with same bank same as rest of my accounts so come up with with internet banking log in - I get notifications when transations happen as well - and I and my parents got regular bank statments on saving account.

A few years after graduating the bank called me to a meeting - I had loans with them - well one paid back and one graduate one I was saving to pay back earlier. I assume it was about that. No it was investment advice as they thought it was a lot of money in my cash isa.

I pointed out I rented had twice had two month notice to move and then needed 1 and half month rent for deposit and first months rent and as family were getting older moving firm costs - and that was in ball park of amount in ISA - while the young man nodded along older woman suggested I could just take out a loan with them if that happened- which TBF I had done to take up first graduate job - and I was like I'd rather just have access to my own money thank you. So I do think this is a bit of an ongoing trend.

I do get banks are increasingly under pressure to stop fraud and money laundering but it does get annoying.

Make a complaint but don’t be surprised if the handler was doing what’s advised to her internally. Regulators are increasingly holding banks accountable for customers falling victim to fraud. It was a constant frustration of mine when I worked in retail banking that it seemed they placed more accountability on banks to stop this. Banks are best able to protect themselves from this by demonstrating robust procedures to prevent this. Often having to go over the top to “demonstrate” they protected customers from themselves.

My very savvy well heeled 85 year old uncle told a bank clerk enquiring about why he was withdrawing sizeable cash amounts (which he does frequently as gifts for young family members) that he intended to spend it all on drink and loose women. They’re aware that’s what he always says 😀

Apparently it's because if you aren't using the bank account you wouldn't know if fraud happened. So they do it to protect it. That's what I was told

That's so annoying april like maybe you just want savings to sit for a bit?

There another thing banks have started to do that annoys me is threatening or actually freezing savings accounts after for me 6 month and for my parents 12 months.

These were ready access funds that were supposed to sit there till needed which apparently is an alien consept these days. I do understand people forget about accounts and no access for years then yes get in touch but in so short a time seems mad.

Made my parents panicked and move money to bemusement of bank - DH told me to just set up a direct debt for a tenner and move it back if needed - it's what he does.

I guess that's to stop paying cash in hand to tradesmen.

Odd, I spent £20k other day on a car and didn't get told off. Chip and pin.

Back in the day I did a mortgage application and the broker went through my bank statements and commented on how much money I spent one month at a certain department store. I pointed out that was the month I moved into my flat and needed curtains, kitchen items, bedding etc. I thought as it was my money and I could afford it what did it matter to him? They weren’t recurring payments that would reflect my ongoing ability to pay a mortgage (and don’t even get me started that my mortgage was lower than my rent anyways).
Unless you are a vulnerable person this was definitely overstepping.

I wouldn’t think it was a minor annoyance to be informed by a bank employee that 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’d be extremely worried about potential financial repercussions.

NRTFT but 24 years ago I borrowed £50k from my dad as a bridging loan. We were buying a flat for MiL but her house sale was protracted by a woeful Estate Agent and we needed to complete on the purchase. As soon as we completed the sale, literally 3 weeks later, I tried to pay dad back. Except Barclays didn't allow it, even though we were both Barclays customers with the same sort code! They said it sounded "dodgy"! I told them to look back at my transaction history - £50k came in from dad's account, this was the repayment. They still didn't believe me. So I told them to ring the branch and speak to the long-serving and truly wonderful cashier there who knew both of us personally. The transaction went through.

I had a payment stopped recently because I made x purchase in a specific location and then under an hour later tried to buy something else in a different location - they’ve obviously not heard of motorways lol
A while ago was unable to make a payment to a car dealer for a used car for DP - the annoying thing was I’d gone into the bank the day before to discuss best way to make the purchase and they said bank transfer was fine and would note on system etc etc
Thankfully car dealership were very amenable and let us drive away in a vehicle which we hadn’t paid for! Although they did have our old car as security
Finally bank blocked a large amount jewellery purchase - despite having plenty of funds
I made a complaint and was given compensation for inconvenience/embarrassment the dealer said it was very common for anything over £10k

I've had the bank stop my card when they said I was spending an "unusual amount" - it was mid December and I was doing Christmas shopping, and only had one day to get things done.
Difference between that (which I thought was reasonable) a d the OP is that for me the bank unblocked my card after my explanation and that was that. No lecture about spending money or that I should be going to charity shops rather than the high street to buy gifts.

Booking a weekend away and spending a few hundred on clothes after 6 months saving doesn't seem an unusual thing to do. Weird that this caused a block.

Fabulous. I've often imagined about saying something similar on winning a TV game show 😄

did she outright just say that or did you ask her questions and she was just answering them?

Did they actually scold you, or did they simply point out why your card was blocked and give you an explanation of what caused it, I.e. your unusual spending pattern that particular day.

The worker simply pointing out what/why the system flagged your account isn’t them scolding you, nor judging you, they were simply giving you an explanation (possibly poorly worded) as to why you card got blocked today.

That would go down very well I’m sure. Some companies have been known to end services of customers who are abusive to staff. Swearing at a worker is never appropriate, it’s immature and shows low intelligence. OP should file a complaint if she isn’t happy with what was said.

No reason OP should dilute what she is concerned about to highlight other people's concerns. Of course, if OP is worried about that too, that's a different matter.

Tell them to fuck right off

Years and years ago when i was in college i went overdrawn briefly. I was new to having a bank account and hadnt learnt to manage money properly. I went into the branch to talk to someone behind the counter and the man said the most extraordinary thing to me. He said " I'm not surprised you are overdrawn. You students are terrible. You eat off the floor dont you. " I was shocked. To this day I dont really even know what he meant. I suppose he just wanted to have a go. I switched banks !!!