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Taf · 02-08-2017, 11:56

A friend of mine sold his caravan at the end of last year. He went to the bank to deposit the cash but the bank refused to accept it without proof of where he had obtained the money. Ditto his second bank. So he decided to just use the cash for everyday bills.

Last month he received a letter from HMRC demanding proof of where the original sum had come from, as they had received SAR's (Suspicious Activity Reports) from both of his banks. And "further investigations" had shown that his banking habits had changed in that he was not withdrawing cash or paying bills as he used to.

He has been unable to contact the person who bought the caravan, and it has been moved from the site it used to be parked at, so is a bit stuck to provide proof of sale.

A neighbour returned from a long winter/spring holiday abroad, and went to a Bureau de Change to change leftover euros to pounds. She was quizzed as to where she had obtained the currency, and they too refused the transaction. 4 other places did the same. Eventually she exchanged part of it in a Post Office.

She returned a few days later to exchange more, but was refused.

Knowing that we travel to France, she told me of her problem and offered to sell us the currency, but a holiday is not on the cards for us this year.

Last week she too received a letter from HMRC triggered by SAR's.

And in just our small circle of friends and family these situations are not rare.

Winnings from casinos refused by banks. Savings from "under the mattress" refused. Cash to buy a second hand car refused. Even old style pound coins saved in a jar refused!

And we're not talking about large sums at all. The caravan raised £8k, the euros were about £4k worth, the savings under £2k, the car purchase under £3k.

I understand that HMRC have told banks and vendors to report suspicious financial activity to thwart money laundering, terrorist support et all, but it all seems to have become a tad too much Big Brother.

HMG would love for us to become a cashless society so that all monetary transactions could be monitored. In fact recently there was a call for people not to pay windowcleaners, etc, in cash....

02-08-2017, 11:56	#1
Taf cf.mega poster Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Kairdiff-by-the-sea Age: 68 Services: TVXL BBXL Superhub 2ac (wired) 1Tb Tivo Posts: 9,806	Suspicious Activity Report A friend of mine sold his caravan at the end of last year. He went to the bank to deposit the cash but the bank refused to accept it without proof of where he had obtained the money. Ditto his second bank. So he decided to just use the cash for everyday bills. Last month he received a letter from HMRC demanding proof of where the original sum had come from, as they had received SAR's (Suspicious Activity Reports) from both of his banks. And "further investigations" had shown that his banking habits had changed in that he was not withdrawing cash or paying bills as he used to. He has been unable to contact the person who bought the caravan, and it has been moved from the site it used to be parked at, so is a bit stuck to provide proof of sale. A neighbour returned from a long winter/spring holiday abroad, and went to a Bureau de Change to change leftover euros to pounds. She was quizzed as to where she had obtained the currency, and they too refused the transaction. 4 other places did the same. Eventually she exchanged part of it in a Post Office. She returned a few days later to exchange more, but was refused. Knowing that we travel to France, she told me of her problem and offered to sell us the currency, but a holiday is not on the cards for us this year. Last week she too received a letter from HMRC triggered by SAR's. And in just our small circle of friends and family these situations are not rare. Winnings from casinos refused by banks. Savings from "under the mattress" refused. Cash to buy a second hand car refused. Even old style pound coins saved in a jar refused! And we're not talking about large sums at all. The caravan raised £8k, the euros were about £4k worth, the savings under £2k, the car purchase under £3k. I understand that HMRC have told banks and vendors to report suspicious financial activity to thwart money laundering, terrorist support et all, but it all seems to have become a tad too much Big Brother. HMG would love for us to become a cashless society so that all monetary transactions could be monitored. In fact recently there was a call for people not to pay windowcleaners, etc, in cash....