I’ve found a bank account I forgot I had, how can I get the money?

[SoCrossAboutThis]

So in my nationwide account when I go to select pay someone you’ve paid before it has an account in my name as an option. Says ebond.

I have a vague recollection of setting it up. No idea how much money is in it. Sort code is 20 19 90 which suggests it’s linked to Barclays. I know the account number. Do I just ring up Barclays with no further details? Would they talk to me?

Call them up. Why are you even posting? You have the account number and the sort code and it's your account.

I do bank with Barclays for my current account and also an isa. Both of which I can see in the app, but not this ebond. It’s quite possibly only got £1 in it knowing my luck. But possibly might be a few k, so I’d like to check.

Seriously, how will you know unless you just call them? Be a grown up, and pick up the phone.

Not as easy as phoning them up actually. I had a similar issue - obviously knew account number, sort code etc but couldn’t get through the banking telephone security as they asked for a mobile telephone number I’d had about 20 years ago and had forgotten.
So couldn’t actually speak to anyone over the phone even in general terms about the account. They might possibly tell you how much is in the account but nothing else and you obviously won’t be able to withdraw or transfer the cash.

Had to go into a branch with photo id to prove I was who I said I was. So actually I’d advise doing that instead

Odd thread! Are you trying to get scammed? Why don't you post your bank account number too and be done with it!!

Well obviously I haven’t because that would be ridiculous. I hardly think posting a main sort code is an issue.

anyway barclays can’t find the account. So it’s a bit of a mystery.

I’ve passed security, but they just can’t find the account even with the account number. It’s not showing in my closed accounts.

When I google the sort code it says it’s barclays and also says it’s aldemore bank which I’ve never heard of. The person at Barclays reckons it’s their sort code and they’ve ever heard of aldemore either, but they do have a website so might try them next. But I’m never going to pass security for them.

Right, barclays have given up.

Try the financial ombudsman, they should help.

Sort code 20 19 90 is Barclays Broadgate in Leicester LE87 2BB phone 0345 7345345.

If it's a bond it might have been a fixed term account that automatically sent the money back to your current (or another nominated) account at the end of the fixed period and closed the account.

But you could try www.mylostaccount.org.uk/

www.barclays.co.uk/current-accounts/dormant-lost-accounts/

I came to say this, agree with @BarbaraofSeville - bonds usually have a fixed term.

Aldermore are a real bank, I have a fixed term savings account with them. Try contacting them instead and see if they know?

Aldermore is a real bank for sure, and in fact if you go to their 'Contact us' page and look at the top FAQ for how to pay money in, they even say that the sort code may show as Barclays as they partner with them for their clearing bank (whatever that means). So I would think Aldermore is who you need to try to speak to.

Sorry, I meant to post a link to Aldermore's Contact Us page: www.aldermore.co.uk/help-centre/contact-us/contact-us-personal-savings/

Thanks everyone I’ll try those lost account links and if necessary the ombudsman. But good point about it maybe going back to the account I transferred money from. I might have to go through my nationwide statements

Brilliant, thanks. Will try them tomorrow

Why on earth would posting a sort code make someone scammable? It's just an identifier for the banking company and branch.

Yes that sort code shows on my transfers to Aldermore. So I think your Ebond is with them not Barclays.

Aldermore is a bona fide bank, but doesn't belong to the inter-bank clearing system like the main big ones do, so it uses a Barclays sort code.

Bank clearing is how the banks switch money between one another. There are millions of transactions every day between all the customers with bank accounts - your bank and the supermarket's bank for instance - the net sum of which is moved about between the banks' head offices. (I used to work at Lloyds Bank Head Office Clearing many moons ago).

You didn't have a mortgage with them did you?