BEAT BAFFLING FORMS

ANKS and building societies re required by moneyaundering rules to check you re who you say you are when ou open an account. Opening an account online hould be straightforward ecause banks which operate nline check your identity lectronically, using your current ccount details and the oting register. But you could hit a problem ere if you have recently moved home and you haven’t yet registered to vote at your new address.

In that case, the bank will ask to see specific documents to prove who you are and where you live.

If you are going for a postal or a High Street account, phone ahead before applying to find out exactly what documents are acceptable; there is no consistency between providers.