Your Questions About Uk Banks Sort Code

William asks…

Is it possible for someone to withdraw from my bank account using the sort code and account number?

Basically as part of my new job the employer has asked me for a scan of ID (passport) and for me to open a bank account with Barclays as that is where I will make withdrawals of money that the company’s customers will deposit. Now I put £12,000 in that account yesterday when I opened it – is it possible for anyone else to withdraw money from it because he has my sort code and account number and a scan of my passport… the company’s main office is in the USA – there is no UK office. Help!
Oh dear please help! Ok the £12,000 was a random lie – I opened the account with Barclays yesterday when I turned 18, and today I moved about £450 into it because the account can’t begin with £0. The company is called Stanford & Spencer Inc. and is a “private business company” and their wed address is www.stanfordspencer.com and they said they’re looking for a few ‘administrative assistants’ in the UK and I signed an agreement and scanned it to them along with a scan of my passport. Their full US address is there and the website has been there for some time. Now the guy called me a few days ago, my manager, and I spoke to him normally and he said my first job is on Monday and he will call me about it today but he hasn’t called yet. Anyway, what do I do now? How can I MAKE SURE 100% it’s a scam? The date of the news on that site are from 2008 so the site isn’t new… help someone please!
YES they said how I have to make transfers via western union – DON’T WORRY I HAVEN’T MADE ANY YET – THEY HAVEN’T GIVEN ME ANYTHING YET OR ASKED ME TO DO ANYTHING YET – I JUST PUT £450 OF MY OWN MONEY INTO THE ACCOUNT – HELP ME WHAT DO I DO!!!
They haven’t asked me yet – but they said it’s part of my job to receive deposits into my account and withdraw them, and I apparently I will get £1,400 a month and 5% commission – please can someone email me at pharb93@googlemail.com and tell me what to do tomorrow? Argh my birthday party begins 10:30AM tomorrow I don’t have time for this I hope they haven’t touched my £450 – I put most of it in today…
WHO DO I REPORT THIS TO? IT’S 11PM!

Pip answers:

Do the sensible thing and report this in full with all the details to your bank. If you are later connected with money launding it will follow you for ever. Tell your bank, they will not think you are stupid etc but talk to them now. This is a scam and you will be found out and found liable if you continue with this.

Lizzie asks…

UK: Bank won’t give my mum a bank card. What can I do?

My mum is terminally ill. Her illness affects her memory, motor skills. Basically the entire nervous system, so she would frequently lose her bank card. Any way 4 years ago the bank refused to issue her a new bank card and she withdraws money by going into the bank and showing them a letter from the Department of work and pensions with her bank account and sort code number wrote onto it. Yeah it’s messed up. Social services set this whole thing up.

I requested a bank card for her when we went to the bank 2 weeks ago and the request was denied. It would make mine and my mum’s life so much easier. She’d be able to set up direct debits etc instead of me having to queue at the post office to pay her general household bills and rent. Also I wouldn’t have to drag her down to the bank every time she needed to go shopping and so on. What can I do? I rang up the numbers they gave me to no luck. They request that they speak to my mum yet she is no longer able to talk. And they can’t understand her. But still tell me she is the only one they’ll speak to. Also she has to sign a slip at the bank when she withdraws money but she can no longer hold a pen and I have to hold it in her hand and practically sign her signature and they’ll still allow her to withdraw the money.

How can I get her a bank card? And do the bank have the right to deny her a bank card?

Pip answers:

Hi Icarus,

To my knowledge, the Bank may refuse to issue a debit card however I cannot see any real reason for them not to issue a cash card for the account. Basic bank accounts offer cash card facility and they are offered to persons regardless of their financial past (albeit Banks are not obliged to accept customers if that person has been declared bankrupt or has a record of fraud)

First things first though it may be prudent to make more permanent arrangements regarding your Mother’s affairs. I believe that Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) was changed to Lasting Power or Attorney (LPA) so this may be something to look into for the longer term.

I know it can be frustrating at times with regards to the Bank, or any other instituation you have spoken to saying they will only speak to your Mum but it is for the protection of your Mums account/s and if that institution did disclose details to yourself, or any person other than your Mum they would be in breach of the Data Protection Act. This is why I go back to making enquiries around LPA as this should hopefully make things easier for both you and your Mum.

Regarding being able to set-up Direct Debits on the account, this can be done without the need to posess a card as the two are non-dependant on each other. The main thing though with setting up Direct Debits is how they will be set-up, usually Bank details are taken over the phone by the company your looking to set the Direct Debit up with, or you may have to fill in a mandate form, these I gather based on the circumstances at present would not be suitable as you’ve mentioned.

Hope this helps