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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:
Original poster
kissfromaroses · 17/09/2026 18:40

bingobangs · 17/09/2026 18:34

It’s typical MNs that the OP has posters telling her she is lying/exaggerated & asking whether she is actually money laundering!

I might have to start with the cost of basic clothing these days!!!

OP posts:
Dumbledora8 · 17/09/2026 18:41

So you have put money into your savings account, and then transferred it to your main account when you have been ready to spent it. Bank worker has told you that this looks like money laundering?! She sounds shit at her job tbh. Definitely complain. Sounds like she needs more training. X

cornflakecrunchie · 17/09/2026 18:42

@kissfromaroses I had the same, minus the telling off, for buying several unrelated things.
It was in the weeks leading up to Christmas.. #rolls eyes..

Busymorn · 17/09/2026 18:42

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Busymorn · 17/09/2026 18:43

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BEAchDays2 · 17/09/2026 18:44

Did she aye.

tommyhoundmum · 17/09/2026 18:45

kissfromaroses · 17/09/2026 17:21

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

Show quote history

Fortunately they will have a recording of the conversation

SueFlay12 · 17/09/2026 18:45

TheWytch · 17/09/2026 17:34

Had you actually been money laundering, this would count as "tipping off" and she would be in no end of trouble herself.

Exactly! This is very true

Original poster
kissfromaroses · 17/09/2026 18:48

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I had to call them as my card was blocked for fraud

OP posts:
Dumbledora8 · 17/09/2026 18:49

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I didn't mention anything about her making the call!

shuggles · 17/09/2026 18:50

@kissfromaroses 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 find it somewhat laughable that a bank worker clearly does not know what money laundering is.

Busymorn · 17/09/2026 18:51

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Dumbledora8 · 17/09/2026 18:53

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You literally do not know that!

Busymorn · 17/09/2026 18:53

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Dumbledora8 · 17/09/2026 18:54

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Nah you don't though. You weren't involved with the call at any point, so unless you are mystic Meg, then you really don't know.

Mapletreelane · 17/09/2026 18:56

TheWytch · 17/09/2026 17:34

Had you actually been money laundering, this would count as "tipping off" and she would be in no end of trouble herself.

Came on to.say this. The agent should not have mentioned money laundering at all if there was any suspicion about your account. Go online and log a complaint.

JustSawJohnny · 17/09/2026 18:57

The blocking of the card makes sense.

Having to explain yourself to get it unlocked makes sense.

General advice that would ensure your spending habits don't result in similar incidences in the future makes sense.

Anything after that would be an immediate complaint for me.

This person overstepped and clearly needs retraining.

Luckily, as we are all reminded every time we sit through the absolute hellscape that is ringing pretty much any company, 'calls are recorded for training purposes' so you can ask for your call to be reviewed and expect an apology.

Quicklydoesit · 17/09/2026 19:06

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CantHaveTooMuchChocolate · 17/09/2026 19:08

MistressoftheDarkSide · 17/09/2026 17:50

Interesting.

Just wait until we end up with CDBC and "social credit" type monitoring.....

Completely agree, it’s scary and yet very few seem to actually realise this.

aliceyyyy2654 · 17/09/2026 19:14

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Exactly there will be more to it. Customer do tend to have a selective memory until call recordings and transcripts prove them otherwise

WearyAuldWumman · 17/09/2026 19:15

ThreadGuardDog · 17/09/2026 18:28

I’m mid sixties and l’m convinced l look mid eighties because l’ve had the same thing when making large bank transfers to pay for home improvements. I’m stealing this response for when l’m next asked !!

Show quote history

Apparently, the protocol now is to query any largish transaction made by someone over the age of 60.

I was 61 when (as DH's executor) I wrote out cheques for his daughter, son and grandchild.

I got a phone call from the bank: had I signed a cheque for x amount (a few thousand) if so, to whom?

"Well, yes. Two cheques. Inheritance from my husband, sent to his children by our solicitor. One to [SS] and one to [SD]. Which one is being queried?"

Bank confirmed that it was the one for SS. Fine. Went through some security questions. Told them I'd be under general anaesthetic the next day, so they'd not be able to get me but there should also be a cheque for SD and a smaller one for SGD.

Fine. All sorted.

A week later I got an email from the solicitor. The SD had phoned to say that her cheque had bounced...5 minutes later, while I was trying to get through to the bank, another email. The SGD had phoned to say that her cheque had bounced...

In spite of my previous conversation with the bank, letting them know about the two cheques, someone had decided that I was being defrauded.

I got it sorted out, but could have done without the added stress.

momager22 · 17/09/2026 19:17

Yeah I would put in a complaint about this, do it asap as their calls will be recorded but may only be stored for a certain length of time

MrsCartwrigth · 17/09/2026 19:19

Santander did this this to me the other day! All because I transferred some money from my savings account to my Monzo.

I received a text asking me to ring the fraud line and received a million questions about why I was transferring, why that amount, what I was buying, how long I’d had the Monzo. Then she proceeded to tell me Monzo are basically a crap bank and people only use them to scam people.

Quicklydoesit · 17/09/2026 19:19

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seahorsessky · 17/09/2026 19:25

Over a certain amount/certain patterns possibly auto trigger. Just as a doctor/nurse/teacher has to report certain things, it might be compulsory. You could check all the documentation for your account; the info is probably available online, to see what the situation is and whether this is relevant to your situation.