Anyone else had a problem with their UK bank and Wise?

[Blue Muton]

I've used Wise for a few years and would thouroughly reccomend them, so am extremely displeased with a recent experience.

 

My old bank closed my account last year because it was linked to a mortgage that had been paid off a few years ago.

 

I opened a new account with Natwest and my company pension has been paid into it for a few months.

 

I tried making a payment from Natwest to Wise, as I was setting them up as a payee a couple of warnings about possible scams came up, which I dismissed.

 

I was asked if I'd been solicited to make a payment through Wise, to which I replied no.

 

When I attempted to make the payment I was called by Natwest security who despite being given all of the requested information refused to process the payment and suspended my account.

 

My brother has just tried to make a payment from his bank (not Natwest) and they have also suspended payment pending him contacting thier anti fraud team.

 

Is this a new thing? Am I just unlucky or has anyone else experienced simmilar issues?

 

[themongoose]

Not had that problem myself, but sounds like a Natwest problem. You said your brothers is not Natwest, but I am assuming it is another "traditional" UK "high-street" bank. They are all the same. I have however had similar problems with HSBC business account with Wise.

 

There are so many scammers, and you only need to read online about all the duped fools who fall prey to them, but then expect their bank to bail them out. "Why didn't you stop me from being scammed, its not my fault!" That now the banks have to be on the side of caution and refuse the transaction.

 

You can get the pension paid directly into the Wise account if its any easier, and with the Wise card it functions identically as any other current account in the UK (and also pays interest as well which alot of them do not). Thats what you have to do now, if the banks give you grief, then move!

[scubascuba3]

Annoying but a good thing they are tightening up security, I've not had this issue yet. Moral, transfer money way ahead of time

[MangoKorat]

Could really be a commercial decision on the part of Nat West - in that they don't like the competition from Wise.

 

I wouldn't pay much attention to Nat West - they closed my current account without giving any reason, in fact they actually stated that they wouldn't give me a reason and I was told not to call them.  I complained at my local branch who looked over my account and agreed with me. The manager called the relevant department at their head office who told him they didn't have to give her a reason and refused to speak further!

 

I wanted to speak to them because I had always managed my account properly, I didn't have an overdraft and had never had such a low balance that direct debits were refused etc.  They clearly thought they had good reason but I am 100% sure that they were wrong. I am certain that I could have explained - if I knew what it was.  I wrote - no reply.

 

Just open an account elsewhere. I make regular trouble free transfers to Wise from my Santander and Co-op accounts.

[sungod]

Not Wise related but binned Natwest as they are now on the too hard to deal with list.

[Regyai]

2 hours ago, MangoKorat said:

Could really be a commercial decision on the part of Nat West - in that they don't like the competition from Wise.

 

I wouldn't pay much attention to Nat West - they closed my current account without giving any reason, in fact they actually stated that they wouldn't give me a reason and I was told not to call them.  I complained at my local branch who looked over my account and agreed with me. The manager called the relevant department at their head office who told him they didn't have to give her a reason and refused to speak further!

 

I wanted to speak to them because I had always managed my account properly, I didn't have an overdraft and had never had such a low balance that direct debits were refused etc.  They clearly thought they had good reason but I am 100% sure that they were wrong. I am certain that I could have explained - if I knew what it was.  I wrote - no reply.

 

Just open an account elsewhere. I make regular trouble free transfers to Wise from my Santander and Co-op accounts.

 

 

Should have taken a leaf out of Farage's book and made a public access information request

[Polar Bear]

Natwest closed my account years ago because I was overseas. Just open an account with one of the online banks like Starling or Monzo. Transfer from Natwest to there, and use that to fund Wise. 

[MangoKorat]

24 minutes ago, Regyai said:

 

 

Should have taken a leaf out of Farage's book and made a public access information request

I couldn't be bothered at the time but I did Google it and found that Nat West had closed lots of accounts in the same way.

[Robin]

My experience with Nat West has been that they are paranoid about scams and seem capable of recognizing other UK high street banks as being genuine.  Very insular attitude.  HSBC are better and acknowledge that there are other banks in the world.

[OJAS]

On 3/3/2024 at 7:01 PM, MangoKorat said:

They clearly thought they had good reason but I am 100% sure that they were wrong. I am certain that I could have explained - if I knew what it was.  I wrote - no reply.

 

Contrary to what the Thai-bashing brigade on here might like us to believe, your experience with Nat West is, I think, clear evidence that "saving face" is by no means confined to Thailand!

 

Edited March 9 by OJAS

[OJAS]

On 3/3/2024 at 7:01 PM, MangoKorat said:

I make regular trouble free transfers to Wise from my Santander and Co-op accounts.

 

Ditto with the latter in my case.

 

[Seppius]

So what was the outcome OP? Did you find out what happened?

[Blue Muton]

5 hours ago, Seppius said:

So what was the outcome OP? Did you find out what happened?

It’s just been dragging on and on, their latest advice was to go into my local branch, despite the fact that I told them I was away in Thailand.

[topt]

On 3/9/2024 at 1:55 PM, OJAS said:

 

Contrary to what the Thai-bashing brigade on here might like us to believe, your experience with Nat West is, I think, clear evidence that "saving face" is by no means confined to Thailand!

 

Saving face or more likely just covering their ass**.....

Background from last year-

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-12262905/All-reasons-bank-close-current-account.html

 

Govt. proposed actions - but search isn't turning up anything more recent.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-clamps-down-on-unfair-bank-account-closures

 

Sorry none of that helps the OP 

 

 

[OJAS]

On 3/3/2024 at 6:45 PM, themongoose said:

You can get the pension paid directly into the Wise account if its any easier

 

Certainly possible in the case of the State Pension, but not sure whether it would be in the case of the OP's company pension. Seems to be a no-no in the case of certain occupational pension providers.

 

Edited March 14 by OJAS

[Will B Good]

I’m with Halifax…..they are just as bad or worse……find it very difficult to make any kind of online payment or transfer without them sticking an oar into proceedings.