To think it’s nobody’s business what I do with my money?

[ToffeePennee]

I went in to my bank to withdraw a large amount of cash. I explained to the cashier what I wanted to do and she proceeded to ask some security questions - all fine.

One of the questions was what I wanted the cash for so I said I was having building work done. She then started saying that I should pay by bank transfer, it was tax avoidance etc. etc. When I insisted I still wanted to withdraw the money, she sighed and rolled her eyes and I felt really judged and like I’d done something wrong.

I’m glad now that I didn’t admit the real reason is in case the banking system collapses and it’s now stuffed under my mattress.

Please tell me I’m not wrong to think she had no right to judge me and if she did, she should have been professional and not passed comment?

Just because you're asked a question doesn't mean you have to answer.

I heard the exact same conversation a few weeks back whilst waiting in the bank. It’s probably just something they have to say?

I still think that keeping money under floorboards is an option, but most ppl do not agree! Just ensure the notes are current!

It's safeguarding. Too many people fall prey to scams so they are trying to help prevent that.

I’d have just said “Sauvignon Blanc and Cheesy Wotsits”.

They ask to try and stop vunerable people being scammed, how can that be a bad thing? You are taking something personally that has nothing to do with yo.

It's an anti-money laundering thing. The cashier is obliged to ask about large or unusual cash withdrawals.

Although the logic is a bit bonkers when you think about it - because who in their right mind is going to admit that the reasons they're using cash is so that they can engage in money laundering.

Bank cashiers have stopped vulnerable people from handing over hundreds of thousands of pounds to fraudsters by asking a few questions and reacting to the answers. A little inconvenience for you but a massive advantage to the customers who don't lose their life savings.

An awful number of people get scammed by rogue builders OP, remember that the staff at your bank don't know you personally and probably have been told to alert all customers in particular situations, to try to protect them from this.

Yeah, I understand the security side of it which is why I was happy to answer the questions. I also realise this is to cover their arses if I later say I was being scammed.

It was more about her tone after I explained it was for building work, she was definitely implying that it was wrong to pay builders cash as she assumed it was to avoid tax. I’ve withdrawn large amounts from this branch before and they just asked the questions in a straightforward manner and didn’t question me further about it.

My work used to involve looking at bank complaints. We had nearly equal numbers of people saying ‘how dare you ask me questions’, and ‘how dare you let me fall for this scam’.

Banks are very far from perfect, but they can’t win on this one.

The last person I know that went to the bank to withdraw a large amount of cash, then parcelled it up and sent it off to a scammer.
She was an elderly lady in her 80s and thought she was providing bail for a cousin who had been wrongfully arrested. The scammer was praying on her trusting and loving nature. They pretended to be from the police.

I wish the cashier had asked her what she was withdrawing it for.

Thankfully when she went back to withdraw more the cashier asked and called the (real) police.

I have been asked before when withdrawing a large amount, I was buying a 2nd hand car at the time. I didn’t really think much of it other than maybe they are checking th

Checking that someone hadn’t made me go in to withdraw a large amount to hand over.

@Player001

It's safeguarding. Too many people fall prey to scams so they are trying to help prevent that.

This, they have an obligation. Watch the tinder swindler! Although the Sauvignon and cheesy wotsit idea sounds perfect 😀

I inherited quite a large sum of money and after it had been deposited into my bank, they rang me and asked me where I'd got it from!

I told them I'd had a win on the horses 😂

Well, it is often wrong to pay cash in hand? It’s frequently to dodge paying VAT and income tax. So yeah she can have her own opinion on that if that’s the reason you gave her

@WhatIsThisPlease

I inherited quite a large sum of money and after it had been deposited into my bank, they rang me and asked me where I'd got it from!

I told them I'd had a win on the horses 😂

Why didn't you just tell the truth? Unless you're joking. But lying could prompt a ML investigation. They aren't asking for your amusement, they have to do it.

Its also for your own safety encase some has coerced you to withdraw. But the eye rolling is totally inappropriate.

She was trying to protect you. And let's hope you don't have a house fire

I'd find it annoying. I know why they have to do it, but I save in cash too and I always prefer to withdraw the max from cashpoints over a period of time than deal with a cashier. I had quite a hassle transferring money online from one savings account to another one in my own name, it was less than £1k so the questioning seemed heavy-handed.

You really dont have to store huge amounts of cash in your home. If you kept less than £85k in each banking institution then you will be protected by the FSCS scheme (I may have the initials the wrong way round).

Smart to keep a decent sum in the house, but not thousands and thousands. Just keep it in a fire proof safe. That's what I do.

My mother went to the bank to transfer £3400 to a scammer and because all of the questions were asked, she didn't.

Often it is to protect you I would say.

When you work in finance it's a personal responsibility to prevent money laundering. The same as serving underage people. She's right about paying in cash and then the possible lack of insured work.

I appreciate you feel this is nosy - and it is - but the reason they ask is that sometimes people will come into the bank to withdraw large sums of cash which they are then handing over to scammers, who are often part of their own family. I work for a large high street bank and cashiers have regular training about this and are constantly on alert. It happens far more often than you'd think, and often to people a lot younger than you'd expect.

I really don't think she rolled her eyes at you, I think you perceived the judgement because your plans were to put it under your mattress!