Bank worker has just lectured me on my spending

Yes, to be triaged by a receptionist over the phone - none of my foreign friends believe me, they think I laugh at something that should never be laughed at.

Partly, yes, because a lot of people,especially elderly, are conned out of huge cash sums by dodgy “tradesmen” who’ve done shoddy work or no work at all - the common roof repair con! The con men love cash because there’s no evidence. Some also take cash for work they did do and then go back again a few days later claiming they hadn’t been paid - no evidence if in cash, so insist on being paid again!

I once had a card stopped after making several small payments for sons for my iTunes - I doubt the total was more than £25. I was told that apparently when a card is stolen it's quite common to do something like that to test it out, which seemed reasonably credible to me.

Mind you, I was surprised when it was stopped another time after I paid for replacement tyres. I pointed out that if I'd nicked the card, surely I would have found something more exciting to spend my ill-gotten gains on.

Not just that, but they argue when you try to get them to do something the GP or consultant had told you to do/get! Ie an appointment in x days/weeks time, or a blood test x-ray/scan appointment, or a prescription for something new. They just won’t accept you know what you’re doing and what you’re asking for and make all kinds of stupid suggestions.

DH has had cancer for 8 years so is a regular user of gp surgery, oncology dept, various x-ray and scanner units, diagnostic centres, pharmacies, etc. He had constant problems because the receptionists and appointment clerks constantly fob him off when he tries to organise things he’s been told to do by the oncologist, consultant, gp, etc. Often with the patronising “I know best” attitude, and they seldom even listen to what to tells them. He’s been doing it 8 years and knows their systems better than they do!

I've been lectured in the actual ñbank before when I went in to put a cheque into my bank account, that I shouldn't have so much money in my account. I told the cashier she might be better focussing on customers who are overdrawn.

There is no new over 60s rule.

I don’t think it does come across that way at all. I’ve spent £3k on various medical tests this month and nobody has called or blocked me and that’s very unusual for me.

The thing is that if a person is scammed or has their card nicked and used, quite often the bank is required to reimburse the customer and loses the money themselves, even if they warned the customer.

No wonder the banks are going over the top to protect their money. Perhaps this would all stop if banks weren't made responsible for refunding the money that their customers have lost, would people prefer that?

I bypassed this last year

went to the cash point and took out £750 at a time and then gave the builder cash - he didn't ask for cash or particularly want cash (I made him wait whilst I counted it out in front of him, as then we both know I gave him the correct amount)

but after the first time of being questioned about paying another workman I now just take the cash out for several days in a row. The bank can't stop me and they don't know where it is going.

Yes there are problems with paying cash - but im not being told what I can or can't spend my fucking money

I have a new bathroom, its lovely and didn't pay until he job was finished, in fact the builder was away and busy and I was more eager to pay him than he seemed to be concerned

there is taking care and being over the top with questions and then telling you no, you coq't have the money to pay for the work to be done

Complain, it is not her place to tell you how to spend your money.

Can I ask what is irresponsible about it? I could easily spend that in one day doing ‘home admin’ (I like to get all the tasks done in one go!) say, sorting gift buying for Christmas and upcoming birthdays/celebrations, booking a short break, redecorating a room (in fact thinking about it, any one of those could come to the amount OP spent!).
I do have a mortgage but looking to borrow more to move somewhere bigger and the last thing I want is being refused and seen as irresponsible because I bought new carpet and booked a holiday on the same day…

The sum you mentioned, frankly, doesn't scream "money laundering" to me.

There’s the difference. You regularly spend like this so it’s a known pattern. This poster did it as a one off so it flagged. I’d rather be safe than sorry.

It is your money. Spend it if you want. I'd raise a complaint about the behaviour of the bank clerk with the bank itself. Calls are usually recorded anyway so there should be supporting evidence.

If it is true that a sudden spending spree might be detrimental to you in relation to borrowing then she is right to warn you of that.

Transferring a large sum then spending it all on multiple, small, online purchases in one go, does look like irresponsible/compulsive spending. Especially if it is unusual for your account. If you were to apply for a mortgage in the future, they do look at spending habits, so she isn't wrong to say it might be a "red flag". This would more likely be a red flag for compulsive spending, rather than money laundering, but both could be considered.

Without hearing the call itself its hard to know whether the staff member is in the wrong, or whether it is how you have interpreted what she said.

If you aren't happy, make a complaint.

Yes, I agree it could be a bit of an overstep but I couldn't arsed making a complaint to be honest.
I would have moved on long before now tbh

but it's not the bank's job or remit to flag for irresponsible or compulsive spending! OP wasn't applying for a loan, she was just spending her own money, so it is none of their business what she spends it on or how often.

They're the fraud protection division, not the Martin Moneysaver is this a prudent and sensible purchase division.

I would file a complaint, since this is not the way to talk to a client - and anyway, tipping you off that you may be suspected of money-laundering is ridiculous, because it would put you on the alter - and also, mention this in your complaint. HSBC were asking why we want to withdraw funds, and there is always the 'remodelling' thing...

She was trying to protect you and they monitor unusual spending patterns

I lived in Japan for a while and my UK bank was fully aware - they had our phone numbers and postal address and we had had various conversations with them before we moved. Yet still they used to block my card approximately once a quarter ‘because it has been used in Japan’ 😭😭😭

They are duty bound to look for suspicious activities. When I bought a lot of new clothes (unexpected weight loss) my bank app asked me if I knew how much I’d spent on clothes in the last month. I just ticked yes. 🤷‍♀️

Fraud flags are fine, but this person had no right whatsoever to tell you what is responsible or irresponsible about how you use your own money. This internalised patriarchy stuff is absolutely unacceptable and needs to be called out. I’d absolutely make a complaint.

patriarchy?? 🤣🤣