I have a query regarding a debt that my elderly dad ‘supposedly’ owes a bank. This is going to be long….sorry!!!
My dad is 83 years old and has two bank accounts in two financial institutions, A and B.
Account A – DSP pension paid
Account B – Private Pension
He was very independent until he had an accident in a hospital (broken leg during a routine chest x-ray). This accident resulted in him having to go into a nursing home and he is availing of the ‘Fair Deal Scheme’. It was a nightmare getting the financial institutions to release bank statements to apply for this scheme!!
His home is occupied by my daughter and her partner who moved in to care for him before his accident. They pay all the bills (electricity, gas, etc.)
As my dad was in the nursing home with mobility issues, he couldn’t physically go to the banks, but he didn’t need to, as most transactions were done automatically (payments in, payments out). When he needed money, my daughter would use his ATM card and give him the money. Everything was working fine until the ATM card snapped.
When I tried to get a replacement ATM card, Bank A insisted on seeing my dad in person. I booked a wheelchair accessible taxi for my dad for the trip to bank A, with the intention of allowing me access to his account. I had all the necessary documents (my passport, bill, payslip, letter from his consultants (stating he was compos mentis), letter from the nursing home confirming residence, etc.).
When we got to the bank they wouldn’t accept him as the account holder, as he didn’t have valid ID (his passport had expired a few weeks earlier). They refused to issue a statement as they said the account was locked pending verification of his ID.
My dad was annoyed (as was I) but we decided to let it go as it would have been too much hassle to try to get ‘official’ ID. At this stage the outgoings (Nursing Home Fees) far exceeded the incoming payments, so the balance in the a/c was rapidly decreasing. I knew at some stage the monthly payment to the nursing home would bounce back due to insufficient funds as this was much greater than the amount being credited. The nursing home was advised about the situation and promised to let me know when it happened.
This ‘bank saga’ had been playing on my mind for a few years when I got a brainwave about 4 months ago. Transfer his DSP pension and the Standing Order to the Nursing Home to Account B as I had an ATM card for this account and it works (even though it’s ancient). I contacted this bank and they were agreeable to me becoming an ‘authorised user’ (not sure what the exact term is!). They spoke to my dad on the phone and accepted that I was trying to do the best for him. I had to provide my passport, bills, proof of address, etc.
I totally understand the bank’s position re. data protection but they really should make allowances for situations that we found ourselves in. Thankfully Bank B did!!
My daughter (living at my dad’s address) got a letter from Bank A stating that my dad’s account is in arrears and that he now owes €90. I contacted them to try and resolve the situation, but as per usual, they wouldn’t talk to me….data protection, etc.
I called the number on the letter (trying to resolve the situation) and the guy was gobsmacked. The only solution he could think of was to close the account and pay the outstanding balance. But my dad can’t close the account because he’s not the verified account holder as he doesn’t have valid ID, etc., etc., going around in circles. I just want to get this sorted.
My gut instinct tells me to ignore it but I’d really appreciate any advice on the best way to proceed.
Thanks.
My dad is 83 years old and has two bank accounts in two financial institutions, A and B.
Account A – DSP pension paid
Account B – Private Pension
He was very independent until he had an accident in a hospital (broken leg during a routine chest x-ray). This accident resulted in him having to go into a nursing home and he is availing of the ‘Fair Deal Scheme’. It was a nightmare getting the financial institutions to release bank statements to apply for this scheme!!
His home is occupied by my daughter and her partner who moved in to care for him before his accident. They pay all the bills (electricity, gas, etc.)
As my dad was in the nursing home with mobility issues, he couldn’t physically go to the banks, but he didn’t need to, as most transactions were done automatically (payments in, payments out). When he needed money, my daughter would use his ATM card and give him the money. Everything was working fine until the ATM card snapped.
When I tried to get a replacement ATM card, Bank A insisted on seeing my dad in person. I booked a wheelchair accessible taxi for my dad for the trip to bank A, with the intention of allowing me access to his account. I had all the necessary documents (my passport, bill, payslip, letter from his consultants (stating he was compos mentis), letter from the nursing home confirming residence, etc.).
When we got to the bank they wouldn’t accept him as the account holder, as he didn’t have valid ID (his passport had expired a few weeks earlier). They refused to issue a statement as they said the account was locked pending verification of his ID.
My dad was annoyed (as was I) but we decided to let it go as it would have been too much hassle to try to get ‘official’ ID. At this stage the outgoings (Nursing Home Fees) far exceeded the incoming payments, so the balance in the a/c was rapidly decreasing. I knew at some stage the monthly payment to the nursing home would bounce back due to insufficient funds as this was much greater than the amount being credited. The nursing home was advised about the situation and promised to let me know when it happened.
This ‘bank saga’ had been playing on my mind for a few years when I got a brainwave about 4 months ago. Transfer his DSP pension and the Standing Order to the Nursing Home to Account B as I had an ATM card for this account and it works (even though it’s ancient). I contacted this bank and they were agreeable to me becoming an ‘authorised user’ (not sure what the exact term is!). They spoke to my dad on the phone and accepted that I was trying to do the best for him. I had to provide my passport, bills, proof of address, etc.
I totally understand the bank’s position re. data protection but they really should make allowances for situations that we found ourselves in. Thankfully Bank B did!!
My daughter (living at my dad’s address) got a letter from Bank A stating that my dad’s account is in arrears and that he now owes €90. I contacted them to try and resolve the situation, but as per usual, they wouldn’t talk to me….data protection, etc.
I called the number on the letter (trying to resolve the situation) and the guy was gobsmacked. The only solution he could think of was to close the account and pay the outstanding balance. But my dad can’t close the account because he’s not the verified account holder as he doesn’t have valid ID, etc., etc., going around in circles. I just want to get this sorted.
My gut instinct tells me to ignore it but I’d really appreciate any advice on the best way to proceed.
Thanks.