Disgusting overreach of power by bank

Santander block account holder's access to online banking because they won't say where they are moving money to

By Oliver May

THERE was a glimpse into a dystopian future of complete control by banks this week as one account holder had access to online banking blocked – all because they refused to say where their money was being moved to.

The News Uncut reader, who does not want to be named, had tried via Santander’s online banking app to make a payment into TallyMoney – an account that holds savings in gold but which also provides a debit card with which to make purchases.

The account holder, as is standard practice, had to answer several security questions and confirm whether they were comfortable making the payment. Santander have a duty to ask these questions when they suspect fraudulent activity.

But despite passing all the relevant checks, Santander refused to make the payment, suspended access to online banking and told them they had to phone the fraud department instead.

That was far from the end of the matter, however.

When calling – and after going through another series of security questions – Santander asked the News Uncut reader: “Right, tell us a bit more about where this money is going.”