BOI Trying to open an account

Discodog

I am trying to help an elderly friend who need a Basic account with BOI. He has no photo id so he called them. The CS took details, said that she would need to speak to a manager & would call back. There was a call a few hours later but it got cut off. He tried returning the call but was told that they had no idea who was dealing with the enquiry.

He later filled out & submitted a customer complaint but heard nothing. How can he get the matter progressed ?

Spocker

Would calling to a local branch be an option? The person is not a customer of the bank yet, so I'm not surprised they didn't have a record of who dealt with the call.

As theres no photo id, it will be a lot easier to speak with the branch staff in person, who can advise on what alternatives are available

JVince

Filing a customer complaint? Seriously??

He has no photo id!

They called back as they said.

They got cut off.

Maybe they said they couldn't help and he rambled on? But to make a complaint at such an early stage is way way way over the top.

What is the complaint even about?

Tell him to do himself a favour and get official photo id. It's a fairly simple process and will avoid him having to make "complaints" that in reality are caused by his own stubborness.

Charles Babbage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122374944#Comment_122374944

Most older people have a public services card and will likely have to get one anyway.

Nigel Fairservice

Not sure a public services card can be used to open a bank account but it does satisfy the photo ID requirement for a passport. He would just then need proof of address and an Irish birth certificate. If he obtains a passport he can open a bank account. That's based on me assuming he's an Irish citizen and already has a public services card. Should probably get the passport as you can't do much without proper photo ID.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058359444/boi-trying-to-open-an-account

So the person does not have the basic documents to open an account and the staff at the bank are trying to help but there is a technical issue and the person's next move is to file an official complaint….. Well that is an excellent way to ensure a refusal will be forthcoming!

Your friend needs to withdraw this ridiculous complaint and give an apology, get property identification as required and get several refusals by banks to open a standard bank account in order to legally qualify for a basic bank account.

Discodog

It isn't a complaint. As a non account holder there's no other way to email the bank. You can't call in to the branch - you have to book an appointment which is what we were trying to do. The assumptions made here are typical Boards. He doesn't have a PSC because that requires photo id - some of you may be amazed to know that 11% of Ireland are unbanked & many people don't have a driver's license or passport. You can't apply for a passport if you aren't an Irish citizen.

The whole purpose of the Basic bank account is to cater for these people.

My post was simply a request if anyone knew how to contact the bank, in such a way, to resume the conversation. On reflection a complaint is justified because the CS said they would call back & never did - this was a week ago. If, for some reason, they can't by phone they could at least email the information.

I will take him to Mabs hopefully get some help.

Charles Babbage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122375635#Comment_122375635

If you are not an Irish citizen or perhaps British then how did you get into the country? The bank or the public service card people will accept other ID used to enter the country and if you came into the country in an irregular way then they probably do not want to provide an account.

suvigirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122375635#Comment_122375635

If someone isn't Irish, then why don't they have a passport of their own nationality? That's photo identification

coylemj

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122376971#Comment_122376971

A lot of European countries have national identity cards which are good for travel around Europe in lieu of a passport so a huge number of their citizens do not have a passport. Even Ryanair accepts this reality. It's also possible that the OP's friend is British.

JVince

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122382764#Comment_122382764

and a National Identity card from any EU country is a very valid form of photo ID and accepted by all the banks here.

JVince

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122375635#Comment_122375635

I could retort that its typical of posters who think everyone can second guess the pertinent information not included in the post.

You clearly said that the person made a complaint in relation to it and that is what people were responding to. This person was not going to add anything to the profit of the bank, if anything it would be a loss making account, so don't expect gold star service in the 1st place and don't expect any service when a complaint is made when it is totally unwarranted.

The person CAN get a passport. Banks accept passports of every nationality (and National ID cards of EU countries)

Another option that banks will sometimes accept (with additional supporting documents) is a Garda Age card.

Frankly, I think the local credit union will be the best option, most have bank style accounts thee days with debit cards and ibans.

And yes there's 11% of adults who don't bank - but in most cases they have a partner or other family member that has banking facilities that they can use.