STRAIGHT TO THE POINT
MY WIFE and I share a joint bank account, which we can each use independently. If one of us were to pass away, would the other still be able to access the account?
T. P., Tattershall, Lincs. Yes. If you are both named account holders, then the surviving partner should be able to access the money as normal and regular payments, such as direct debits, should continue to go out.
After the surviving spouse reported the death to the bank, the account would be transferred into their sole name and remain open.
I AM an expat living in France, but have held an account with Barclays since the late Eighties. I was recently sent a form to fill in by the bank’s ‘Team 57’, based on the Isle of Man. It requested personal details, such as my employer’s information. I sent it back but, two weeks later, got a nasty reminder, threatening to close my account. I sent it again by recorded delivery, but I’m confused. What is ‘Team 57’?
C. S., Esbly, France. BArclAYs says that it contacted you as part of its routine anti-money laundering checks to verify the source of funds in your accounts, which it does with all customers.
Team 57 is just the department tasked with processing these forms.
The bank apologises if the letter caused you any upset and has agreed to refund your postage costs. A spokesman adds that it takes the security of its clients’ data very seriously and it is important to keep its records up-to-date when identity fraud is on the rise.
I RECEIVED a suspicious letter from Orange about it updating its privacy policy. It referred to me as ‘Miss’ (I’m a man) and said it had already contacted me by SMS or email, which I never received. I’m worried this could be a scam.
I. A., Worcester, West Mids. ee conFIrms both communications were genuine and were being sent to customers to explain how their personal information would be used in light of the new data protection laws introduced on may 25.
The mistake with your title was as a result of an admin error when you registered your account and this has now been corrected.