Mum has no access to cash after Halifax closes her bank account

BY JAMES TWOMEY
james@slpmedia.co.uk

A mother-of-two has been left “devastated” after Halifax bank suspended the account where she receives her universal credit and salary.

Simmone Reid, 31, of Bromley Central, said she received a message from the bank on June 3 that her account would be blocked following “fraudulent” activity connected to a £100 payment she received.

Ms Reid said she does not know where the money came from and has not been offered an explanation by the bank as to why her account has been suspended.

“I have no access to any of my money,” said Ms Reid. “I don’t know what to do. I have two children, I can’t pay any bills. I need to pay my nursery bill, which is really expensive. I can’t borrow that money.”

Ms Reid is a Lambeth council employee and said that the bank told her she could withdraw cash by visiting a branch with ID, but because of her job, children and branch opening hours, this was too difficult.

Additionally, many of her bills cannot be paid in cash.

“This is devastating,” said Ms Reid. “I’m being penalised for nothing and I’m confused.

“I’m wracking my brain about what to do, I don’t know if I can open another bank account now.

“I’ve had to go to debt services and the Brixton Soup Kitchen for help. I’m going to have to borrow money from friends and family for now.

Ms Reid said she has been a customer at the bank for 10 years and had recently recovered from depression. She added: “I was just starting to get back together and build my credit up, now I am panicking and feel lost.”

Halifax Bank is a subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Group.

A Lloyds Bank spokesman said: “We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused to Ms Reid while we complete our review, which we’re obliged to do as a regulated provider.

“We’ll be getting in touch with her to discuss soon.”

At the time of printing, Ms Reid’s account was still suspended.

 

Main Picture : Pixabay/PublicDomainPictures
and picture provided by Simone Reid