Proof of identity

I went through the rigmarole of opening an internet account with Birmingham Midshires, and a few days later they are making demands for multiple proofs of identity which are not that easy for me to meet. Since the account will be purely linked to my current account at Barclays, i,e, the account will be capable only of transferring money to and from that current account, and there is no earthly reason why anyone but me would wish to set up such an account, I don't see why any proof of identity should be required at all. BM say that it's the law, but I opened a smilar account with ING about 2 years ago and didn't have to go through any of this rubbish. Has the law changed in the last 2-3 years?

I am annoyed at BM because I wasn't told any of this when I went through the process of setting up the account online, and I feel like telling BM where they can stick their account, but will I have the same hassle now with everyone else?

Reply to
John Rowland
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Very pedantic organisation. I see from their application screen if you have a current account but no cheque book, eg basic or non-basic "green" they are not interested. Most organisations will have a leaflet outlining identity requirements. Ask for it, if they don't have one stuff them, if they do try to comply. If you can't comply they don't want you. Tough. Try not to feel offended.

Have you tried Icesave or Sainsbury's Bank who offer nearly the same interest rate and can do non-documentary ID verification in most cases?

Jim A

Reply to
Jim Alexander

We are having the same problem with ICICI bank. They want a copy of our passports for identification and utility / bank statement signing by Justice of the peace, Solicitor, Accountant, Member of parliament. Ironicaly the actual passport application requires a lower level and easier to obtain person to confirm the details. -in the case of a passport application it can be signed by a teacher, post ofice, nurse, chemist etc. I think banks have just gone way overboard.

Gio

Reply to
Gio

In message , Gio wrote

I bet that if the application is signed by yourself (or anyone else) pretending to be a Judge, Solicitor, Accountant or MP the signature will never be checked.

Sending your passport to ICICI bank probably means all the information will end up in India so don't be surprised if you become cloned :(

Reply to
Alan

Perhaps it is just as well we have not processed the application any further for the time being. I am still awaiting their reply re why the higher level signature is required. For me it is just too much trouble. ....................................but who the hell would want a clone of me? wife says I am free to a good (any) home anyway ! :-)

Gio

Reply to
Gio

Sainsburys and Birmingham Midshires are both Bank of Scotland, so I would have thought their ID requirements would be the same.

Reply to
Jonathan Bryce

Are you sure Sainsbury's is BoS ? Midshires, Intelligent finance, Saga, Capital to mention a few are listed on the FSA register are but I do not recall seeing Sainsbury's.

Gio

Reply to
Gio

Sainsbury's Bank is a joint venture (HBOS/Sainsbury) and has its own FSA registration so a home for 35,000

Jim A

Reply to
Jim Alexander

Sorry Jim, you are correct. I should have said regarding the protection for cash deposits. We split our funds and so some went to Sainsbury's from our BoS account because our Halifax account and the BoS account was just classed as one account. As you say we now have 30K+ protection in each bank due to the FSA registration. Well I hope that is the case ?

Gio

Reply to
Gio

X-No-Archive: yes

I asked a similar question on the newsgroup a while back after I received a similar demand in response to my applicaiton for a Post Office credit card. They wanted certified copies of my passport and various other documents as they were "required to collect this information by money laundering regulations"

I decided there and then that they could stick their card where the sun didn't shine, but for a bit of fun I wrote back to them advising that I was happy to comply provided they first supplied me proof of their identity in the form certified copies of their company incorporation certficate, 3 years of audit accounts from themselves and any other related companies as well as a guarantee that the documents I sent would not be processed outside the United Kingdom :)

That was several months ago and I'm still awaiting the knock on the door from the postman. I guess they decided not to proceed with my application :)

Reply to
Trust No One

You do not need to "pretend" to be an accountant. Anyone can call themselves an accountant! There are no required qualifications...

[Whereas if someone catches you pretending to be a Judge / Solicitor / MP, then there may be consequences!]
Reply to
Tim

icesave all you need is your passport number and driving licence number during the online registration and bob's you uncle ;o)

Reply to
Humpty Dumpty

"Humpty Dumpty" wrote

What if you don't have a passport and don't drive?

Reply to
Tim

I set up a Sainsbury account a few months ago and can confirm that I didn't need to let them have any ID.

Reply to
Yellow

You're stuffed. :-) Well, more relevantly, I'm stuffed. I've reached the conclusion that I need to get a passport even though I've no plans to ever use it (I think of myself as a world citizen rather than a Brit, and take great interest in world affairs; I've just never felt any need to visit the rest of the planet... the TV crews can do all the standing around in airports for me, :-)

I've been stubborn so far, but there seems no real alternative since the money laundering legislation started to kick in seriously.

Andrew McP

Reply to
Andrew MacPherson

"Andrew MacPherson" wrote

ID cards, anyone?! ;-)

Reply to
Tim

If you have a home and are on the electoral roll for more than 3 years and have a credit card of two most *sensible* online banking organisations will be able to ID you. If they can't in those circumstances they are not

*sensible* so avoid.

To correct something said earlier, the Icesave application says passport or driving licence, not and.

Jim A

Reply to
Jim Alexander

It is not just the law, but how it is interpreted... this is clear because different institutions have different criteria.

Unfortunately you probably cannot take BM to the FOS until you actually are a customer. But you can let them know of your intentions to do so.

Reply to
whitely525

Not true. You don't need to be a qualified accountant to be an accountant but you need to be an accountant to call yourself an accountant.

Peter

Reply to
PeterSaxton

How about a minister of religion. Jedi master perhaps?

Reply to
Rob.

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