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Original poster

Help! Banks frozen my account?!

44 replies

cata09x · 10/03/2023 18:38

Looking for advice more than anything because I currently have no access to any money or a car since the bank has put my account under review.
My dad transferred me a large sum of money to pay for a new car which I had already put a £500 deposit down for. Barclay's subsequently put my account under review for fraud which I understand they can do however they are showing no signs of unlocking my account and I've had to phone all the companies which I have direct debits with to ask them to extend the payment deadlines.

I already had a few thousand in the account before they put it under review but they won't allow that money to be used to pay for any bills / debits coming out of the account.

Does anyone know what I can do? Is there a way to speed up the process? Can the bank legally hold my money past the 7 working days they told me they were reviewing my account for?

It's been over a week now and pregnancy hormones are NOT helping my frustration!🤣 especially since I'm going to lose the non-refundable deposit I put down as it's been over their 7 day deposit policy.

*the money was transferred from my dad who has the same surname as me, surely the banks would notice this?

I wasn't sure which forum was the best to post this on but I'm really hoping someone will have some advice.

OP posts:
SpaceNambo · 10/03/2023 18:58

You need to go into your local branch and speak face-to-face. I did this and got the issue dealt with immediately.

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 10/03/2023 18:59

Go to your local branch, I had this and was sorted same day.

Original poster
cata09x · 10/03/2023 19:02

@SpaceNambo @MeMyCatsAndMyBooks ah I'll try and go tomorrow! I was told by Barclays over the phone numerous times that there wasn't any point me going into the branch as it wasn't in the hands of them as it was with a fraud team that worked behind the scenes for the bank or something? So confusing.

OP posts:

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General money
BelindaMelinda · 10/03/2023 19:05

the money was transferred from my dad who has the same surname as me, surely the banks would notice this?

Is your dad's bank OK? Has he checked? It's not necessarily you/your account that is the suspected problem.

Original poster
cata09x · 10/03/2023 19:08

@BelindaMelinda yes his account is all fine, he regularly transfers larger sums of money inbetween accounts so I don't believe they would think anything of it. The money had no issue leaving his account, I could see it in my account also it just went straight to pending, so I called Barclays to ask how long it would be until I could transfer the money to the car place and they informed me it had been frozen.

OP posts:
NewNovember · 10/03/2023 19:11

That's ridiculous people should be able to pay /loan/gift another person money.

Original poster
cata09x · 10/03/2023 19:20

@NewNovember I honestly didn't think it would be an issue otherwise I would've just done the transfer directly from my dads bank account to the dealership!

OP posts:
Oblomov23 · 10/03/2023 19:50

Over a week? Have you phoned and ask to be directed to the complaints dept? I would also go into branch. Complain.

Original poster
cata09x · 10/03/2023 19:53

@Oblomov23 I called a couple of days ago asking to put a complaint in and they said I was unable to lodge a complaint until the review was over. I called again today and complained as it all got too much after I spent 5 1/2 hours on the phone to different companies trying to give myself some extra time to pay off my direct debits 🤦🏻‍♀️. Such a pain.

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 10/03/2023 19:57

go down to a local branch - take your passport
You need to complain to the highest authority - a pregnant woman, unable to access any money for over a week, this is totally shocking and unacceptable

They also need to be paying out compensation for your time, stress, and losses

Barclays have frozen my account several times for suspected fraud - and on one occasion they were spot on! someone else had accessed my account

but each time it was resolved within 24 hours - in fact, within an hour except on one occasion which was about 24 hours

Original poster
cata09x · 10/03/2023 20:01

@Nimbostratus100 I'm going to do this. Thankyou for the advice, it's just been such a hassle. I really hope they resolve it soon, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that if I go in with ID they will reopen it like previous people have said however I'm not fully hopeful considering the things I've been told over the phone. :(

OP posts:
SchoolTripDrama · 10/03/2023 20:03

This is appalling and absolutely unacceptable. I'd be contacting the ombudsman

GiltEdges · 10/03/2023 20:03

cata09x · 10/03/2023 20:01

@Nimbostratus100 I'm going to do this. Thankyou for the advice, it's just been such a hassle. I really hope they resolve it soon, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that if I go in with ID they will reopen it like previous people have said however I'm not fully hopeful considering the things I've been told over the phone. :(

If it's with the fraud team this just isn't going to happen unfortunately, the branch staff (including branch manager) have no power to overrule them.

SchoolTripDrama · 10/03/2023 20:05

They can say to the fraud team that they've seen you in person and your ID. That you're real. Maybe even take your Dad in with you too with his ID and proof of his bank details of the account he sent it from. They can then tell the fraud department that they've seen you both & IDs etc.

If this didn't work I'd be screaming, shouting and refusing to leave without a resolution

Original poster
cata09x · 10/03/2023 20:05

@GiltEdges this is the impression I was under also🙁. Are they able to just hold my money for as long as they deem necessary? I have no idea who else to speak to as I can't contact the fraud team directly as they're independent people who work in the background of the bank according to Barclays on the phone?

OP posts:
Original poster
cata09x · 10/03/2023 20:07

@SchoolTripDrama hopefully this will work. I think with all my pregnancy hormones I'll be crying before anything😂. Not what I needed with just a few weeks to go!🤣

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 10/03/2023 20:08

GiltEdges · 10/03/2023 20:03

If it's with the fraud team this just isn't going to happen unfortunately, the branch staff (including branch manager) have no power to overrule them.

Show quote history

no, but the manager at the local branch can find out what is happening and release some funds. It is so much easier to be talking to someone face to face, even if they end up sitting across a desk from you talking to someone else on a phone on your behalf

Bunnyishotandcross · 10/03/2023 20:10

Maybe a few twinges in the bank would hurry things along op...
I fainted heavily pregnant in a big department store. They quickly suggested I needed some fresh air! They wanted me the hell out!!

Freshair87 · 10/03/2023 20:21

This is awful, definitely tweet Facebook etc that you're pregnant and been left without access to money for over a week now and once sorted absolutely seek compensation

Karma2023 · 10/03/2023 20:28

Where there has been delays in releasing fraud queries it could be due to a larger investigation. An an example I was aware of the bank was instructed, by HMRC to hold funds due to an investigation. This would include all accounts that money was transferred into...so you may not just be your account.

blackheartsgirl · 10/03/2023 20:43

Local branch.

this happened to me with Barclays last year when I bought my campervan with some inheritance I had. Froze all my accounts and not only mine the poor person I bought the van off. It was an absolute nightmare. It was sorted quite quickly as we both had to speak to the fraud department .
but you do need to go into the bank and speak face to face. Take your id with you etc

BT11 · 10/03/2023 20:48

It depends on the block. Branch can and can't do much.

If you've been told to go to branch then go. If you haven't it might be a wasted trip.

The branch specialise in daily banking. Accounts, withdrawals, savings etc. What you're dealing with is a account investigation which branch employees cannot access and for their protection can only find out very limited information on.

Your direct debits etc will still continue like normal unless stated otherwise. Some investigations last a few days some a few months. What time was you quoted?

I work for a high street bank if you have an questions I'll try to help 😊

BT11 · 10/03/2023 20:49

ALSO, you can speak with the investigation team on the phone rather than going to branch. However, if you feel more comfortable going in then by all means do. The same outcome may or may not apply. X

Oblomov23 · 10/03/2023 20:55

What are their timeframes? If it's been over a week already, they can't just continue a 'review' indefinitely?

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