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Original poster

Opening a bank account

58 replies

dadadeedadada · 21/03/2022 15:53

Just as the title says really. My son (18) is trying to open his first bank account because he has a job offer. At the moment he is still a student and we are waiting for his provisional driving license to come back (sent in December they sent the form back 2 weeks ago because he hadn't crossed one of the boxes, he crossed the box and I sent it back) he does not have a passport.
I went down to the bank with him to explain why he does not have photo ID, yet.
I had his birth certificate, a child benefit letter that he's named on, my tax credit award that he's named on, his national insurance number letter that is addressed to him and my own photo ID.
The lady at the bank said she couldn't help, he has to have photo ID. She did say he could get a letter of confirmation from his college and a letter of introduction from the GP. The letter from the GP (who wouldn't know him if she fell over him to be honest) has to be very specific, letter headed paper, proper signature from the doctor etc.
I've just tried to phone DVLA, got "all our lines are busy, bye" just phoned the doctors who will print his details of the computer but the GP won't sign it and it won't be letter headed paper.
I'm worried his job offer will disappear before we can get an account sorted. Can anybody give any suggestions on what to do next, or do we just have to wait?
The bank we tried was Lloyds, would he fare better with a building society.
How do people without photo ID get bank accounts? I can't imagine somebody claiming UC or whatever having the cash to throw at the DVLA or the passport office so there must be a way.
Please help, and thanks for reading all that, I know you don't like a drip feed round here so I've tried to get it all out at once, haha.

OP posts:
Original poster
dadadeedadada · 21/03/2022 17:50

Thanks for all of your help, I'll suggest they pay him by cheque but he'll have issues cashing them I think, because, no ID.
And yes, I do think she was being deliberately awkward, running around, helping everybody and nobody at the same time if you know what I mean.
The lads been 18 for two months, and they seem to think he's trying to commit some kind of fraud. I even asked if he could open the account so the wage had somewhere to go but the bank could freeze it until he's provided his driving license. It's literally a matter of weeks.
I think most of these problems are because computers now do all the work, computers work with logic but human lives aren't logical.

OP posts:
SmellyWellyWoo · 21/03/2022 18:19

I opened a Tesco bank account online without any ID but I already have bank accounts/credit history etc so I don't know if that makes a difference.

Original poster
dadadeedadada · 21/03/2022 18:33

@SmellyWellyWoo I think it does make a difference. It's all the petty hoops you have to jump through that's really annoying me. He's got ID, birth certificate, national insurance number, a letter from hmrc, even though they are official documents from government bodies but they are not good enough, 2 months ago they would have been. Like you're not a real person unless you've got the money to pay for ID that seems to be necessary for everything.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Benefits General health General money
Happierthanever91 · 21/03/2022 19:31

It doesn't sound like she is being a jobsworth. It's a requirement for many banks and building societies that you need to provide photo ID to open a new account

foxlover47 · 21/03/2022 19:43

OP When my son was waiting last year for his photo licence to come back Tesco where he worked part time paid his wages into my account so I'm not sure why it wouldn't be allowed
Don't worry I'm poor too and haven't always had bank accounts when they were younger

TabithaTittlemouse · 21/03/2022 19:56

A friend had similar issues, I don’t know what they did in the end.

Tiberius12 · 21/03/2022 20:09

Have you looked into a credit union account? I don't think they are as strict with regards to ID

ADayAlwaysHasToEnd · 21/03/2022 20:13

Unfortunately not being a jobsworth. All bank accounts opened are audit checked afterwards if they weren't electronically id'd.

Meaning if she did open the account for him it would only be frozen with 24 hours and then closed in a couple of days. And money can't be received in a frozen account.

So it wouldn't help your sons situation at all. And its unfortunately Goverment legislation that requires this evidence to stop money laundering, impersonal fraud and loads of other things.

Unfortunately for you the requirements are much less for under 18's. As under 18's a lot can be done from the parents which is unavailable after you turn 18.

FindingMeno · 21/03/2022 20:14

I was looking at a passport photo booth today to see if I could see the price. I did see that it was contactless payment only.
Even at the time I had a " what comes first, the chicken or the egg?" moment....if you need passport photos for a passport or driving licence you need to use a bank card that needs a passport or a driving licence to get....Confused

Allthegoodnamesaregoneffs · 21/03/2022 20:17

@TabithaTittlemouse

A friend had similar issues, I don’t know what they did in the end.
I bet the OP will be back to thank you for the help you gave Grin
Findingneeemo · 21/03/2022 20:28

Call the council tax office and get his name out on the bill. They are usually very quick to reissue the letter. Do the same for gas/ electric and water.
Call hmrc and ask for a tax code notification letter. That’s 4 pieces of ID. I’ll have a look to see if I can find someone who will take them.

Findingneeemo · 21/03/2022 20:33

Natwest will take proof of NAtional insurance for ID or a hmrc tax code notification letter.
With a council tax bill for address.

You will have to go into the branch.

Findingneeemo · 21/03/2022 20:33

www.natwest.com/current-accounts/what-do-you-need-to-open-a-current-account.html#proving-my-identity

You can verify the info I have given you here.

Good luck!

whiteroseredrose · 21/03/2022 20:42

@dadadeedadada

Oh, and his employer won't pay into my account, tax implications apparently.
I suspect it is also to do with anti money laundering legislation. The name on the bank account needs to match the name of the payee.

Most banks should offer a basic bank account. Lots of people don't have passports and driving licences. When I worked in a building society, a birth certificate would be an alternative. The address is trickier. A letter confirming eligibility for benefits or from HMRC?

Theworldisfullofgs · 21/03/2022 20:46

Which banks have you tried?

What about one of the challenger banks like Monzo or Starling?

berlinbabylon · 21/03/2022 21:00

@Theworldisfullofgs

Which banks have you tried?

What about one of the challenger banks like Monzo or Starling?

I think they are easy accounts to open but you need the photo ID (I have a Starling account and it was very easy - but I have a driving licence).
Theworldisfullofgs · 21/03/2022 21:20

berlinbabylon

Youre right, ust googled think every bank needs photo I'd.

CrotchetyQuaver · 22/03/2022 08:46

Try virgin bank
I had to open new accounts a few years ago like your son with no photo ID (passport had expired and old school paper driving licence)
Virgin were very helpful and I've no regrets about going with them.

First thing I did after finally succeeding in opening a new account was sort out photo ID for myself, it's a nightmare to organise anything without it!

sashh · 22/03/2022 08:59

but how would he pay it into an account if he doesn't have one?

There are cheque cashing places, they charge to cash the cheque but they exist.

OP

Is there a credit union near you? They work in a similar way to a bank account but they are community organisations not profit making.

They exist to help people who are in a similar situation to yourself OP, because they often deal with people who don't have bank accounts or utility bills they are often a good option.

They also offer advice on budgeting.

Oh and students DO pay tax, but they have to make enough money to go above the tax threshold. It's not uncommon to be put on, "emergency tax" for the first couple of weeks in a new job, if that happens your DS can claim it back.

www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk/

DentonsFringeArnottsWaistcoat · 22/03/2022 09:41

anybody give any suggestions on what to do next, or do we just have to wait?

Do you have any money you can spend atm? Because I think you can get a PASS card from the Post Office prey try quickly. It’s a photo card and is valid as ID but it does cost GBP30 if you need the express 1-2 days delivery.

DentonsFringeArnottsWaistcoat · 22/03/2022 09:42

www.postoffice.co.uk/identity/pass-card

RomeoOscarXrayIndigoEcho · 22/03/2022 10:28

Have you tried your local credit union? They might be an easier option. I think some may have an account that your DS could use.

dontgobaconmyheart · 22/03/2022 10:30

I think you're making it personal when it isn't OP. There was ample time to arrange this before he was of age to get a job and I don't say that to place blame at all, just that there was and it is what it is. That isn't anyone elses fault either. Student bank accounts don't require any large initial deposits. He will be taxed on his salary and pay NI as a student as anyone else would.

The bank worker was doing her job properly. The fact she didn't give you what you wanted when you wanted it isn't really her being a 'jobsworth' it is her following a policy with strict rules that she has no choice but to abide by or she might find herself out of a job. The employer is doing the same. Employment law also is what it is, it would not be ethical for him to work and the salary be payable to you. It is a good thing that some of these laws are in place to protect the vulnerable in society from fraud and financial abuse.

If the job is what a proper company I can't see a workaround other than waiting and hoping the offer still stands. I would highly doubt a PASS card would be on the list of valid ID for most banks, it is proof of age not of ID.

What ID a bank will accept will likely be listed on their website so you might be able to shop around and see if it's on the list anywhere. Given a provisional license costs roughly the same and is valid ID, I'd not waste any money on PASS.

Hope it can be sorted OP, these things are a pain but you'll get there

IOtherwise I'm sure with summer approaching there will be other opportunities.

RomeoOscarXrayIndigoEcho · 22/03/2022 10:32

I see I should have waited until I'd read the whole thread before suggesting credit union! Others have too Smile

My other idea is I have seen the Royal Mail advertising an app that gives photo ID could you check that out? (disclaimer I have no idea if it will work, but there are apps to prove ID using your camera phone if you have one)

RomeoOscarXrayIndigoEcho · 22/03/2022 10:35

Or what about Yoti? It's a free digital ID card.

www.citizencard.com/yoti-citizencard-new-id-solution-for-the-uk