can't get a bank account

[Glutton4...]

As a small aside regarding phone calls to service providers, I found this list showing how to bypass automated answer services. In other words, how to get hold of a human instead of cycling through ten different menus:

gethuman

Wow, that could be really useful. I nothing else, it should help keep the 'phone bill down! Thanks Paul.

[Mcbee]

i know all the security stuff is frustrating - i just try to remember thats its there for a reason - to protect me from a scumbag accessing my account. And its not just about banking. If someone manages to |"hijack" your utility account, its part way to accessing your identity. And if that happens it can take months to unravel

[Flummery]

Had this happen twice - 2 different cards. It's assumed that it was from internet transactions. I've had the money back but it's a nuisance. I've stopped doing transactions on the net. I make a note of what I want and send a cheque. A bit retro and you wait a week for it to clear but no-one else gets their mitts on your money!

[Winged one]

I have had it happen once (and I rarely use the card on t'internet). So I have decided I am going to get a seperate card, with a much lower credit limit on it, for internet shopping (cos a lot of things are so much cheaper)

[Glutton4...]

Recommendation from a friend, he says;

Use a Credit Card, not a Debit Card. The Credit card means you are using their money (until you pay it back), so they are keen to sort out any problems. The Debit Card is your money, and they're not so worried about sorting it!

OK if you remember to pay the flippin' thing each month.

[Glutton4...]

Meant to add, I've had two Credit Cards cloned; my work one in a local garage, then while waiting for that to be replaced, some lowlife tried the same scam with my own Credit Card.

On both occasions Barclaycard where quicker than expected at getting it sorted, but I did join their secure payment thing, so they check up regularly.

[LizyDrippin]

I've always struggled with the ID thing, especially if they ask for photo ID

I don't have any, I don't have a passport (and I have no intention of getting one) I only have a paper drivers license (apparently even if you use the photo one you have to take the paper one to back it up, why bother with the photo one then?)

And jus a little note provisional drivers licenses aren't valid for proof of ID, it has to be a full one

All my bills are online paperless I tried to open a couple of accounts recently one for me and one for my son, the woman was really nice but totally confused because I didn't have any proof (how did I survive?) of who I was. Son is under 18 so al he needed was a birth cert.

[Two_Sheds]

Lizy, I'm with you on this ... it's nearly impossible to prove that I exist! It makes me so mad, because if I was a crook, I'd have all these forms of ID ... I'd just buy a fake passport on the Net

If I could afford to get a new passport, I would. Ditto the Deed Poll cert. But I can't, and I don't see why I should fork out money to solicitors prove that I am me, because some bank's tick-boxes don't match my circumstances

[Paul Wagland]

Use a Credit Card, not a Debit Card. The Credit card means you are using their money (until you pay it back), so they are keen to sort out any problems. The Debit Card is your money, and they're not so worried about sorting it!

This is true. What's more, if the stuff you buy with a credit card breaks down, and the seller wont give a refund, the credit company has to give you your money back! They don't shout about that though...

Two Sheds, maybe if Mr Sheds isn't up for marriage, you could get a new surname by marrying someone else? Here's a few who seem keen:

Mail Order Husbands

Goes to show things could always be worse!

[Two_Sheds]

Great Paul, thanks
PS. I don't like the look of yours

[Paul Wagland]

Perhaps not a good idea then...

Out of curiosity, what interest rate is being offered on the account you're after?

The Halifax do 5% (fixed for a year) at the moment, provided you pay in at least �25 a month. The downside is, you can't withdraw without closing the account.

At least they should have a fairly local branch, so you can go in and explain the situation?

[Two_Sheds]

Actually Paul ... it's probably a good job that I never got that account I was after.

Mr Sheds hadn't done his sums and "forgot" he had to pay his PAYE tax this month. So we don't have any spare cash after all.

Everything happens for a reason, god works in mysterious ways, and all that

[Glutton4...]

... if I was a crook, I'd have all these forms of ID ... I'd just buy a fake passport on the Net ...

There's your answer - Buy one on the 'Net!

[Paul Wagland]

There's your answer - Buy one on the 'Net!

More expensive than getting the real one put right. Not that I've looked.