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Frozen Bank Account Complaint Letter

A completed bank complaint about blocked payments, quantified charges and hardship, preserving anti-money-laundering limits while requesting review and an eight-week final response.

Jurisdiction: England and Wales - completed fictional worked example

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Important: This sample provides general legal information only and is not legal advice. Check the law, prescribed forms and signing requirements that apply to your exact jurisdiction and circumstances before use.

# FROZEN BANK ACCOUNT COMPLAINT LETTER

Date: 7 February 2033

Parties: Joshua Bennett and Calder Bank plc, account ending 7318

## 1. Purpose and parties

I, Joshua Bennett of 8 Larch Street, Nottingham NG3 4PW, make this formal complaint to Calder Bank plc about current account ending 7318, sort code 40-16-22. On 30 January 2033 my debit card was declined and online payments were blocked; on 31 January the branch told me that the account was restricted. I received no written reason and the account held £2,184.60 on that date.

## 2. Facts, scope and terms

The restriction caused a £780.00 rent payment due to landlord Eleanor Price on 1 February to fail, a £96.40 electricity direct debit due on 2 February to fail, and a £42.00 mobile bill due on 3 February to fail. The electricity supplier charged £15.00 and the mobile provider charged £10.00. I paid £120.00 in cash for food and travel from money borrowed from my brother, leaving the account unable to meet ordinary commitments.

## 3. Process and responsibilities

I reported the problem through Calder's secure message service on 31 January under reference CB-2033-1187 and attended the Nottingham Central branch on 2 February. I supplied my passport, proof of address dated 20 January and an explanation that the £2,500 credit on 27 January was repayment of a documented family loan. Please review the restriction urgently and correct any payment or credit-file consequence caused by an avoidable bank error.

## 4. Evidence, records and safeguards

I understand that the bank may have duties under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, and that it may be unable to disclose information if doing so would breach the law. I am not asking Calder to reveal a prohibited disclosure. I do ask it to state whether the restriction remains, what practical information or evidence is needed, whether essential payments can be enabled, and the legal or contractual basis to the extent lawful.

## 5. Review, escalation and outcome

Within five working days, by 14 February 2033, please provide a named contact, consider restoring ordinary access or a proportionate alternative, reimburse the £25.00 documented charges and £120.00 emergency borrowing if caused by the restriction, and confirm that no adverse credit marker will be reported. I also request a goodwill payment of £75.00 for distress and inconvenience, without treating that figure as a statutory tariff or a final settlement.

## 6. Reservations and practical protections

Please treat this as a complaint under your complaints procedure and send a substantive response by 21 February 2033. If it is not resolved, I request a final response within eight weeks of 7 February, by 4 April 2033, so I can refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service within the applicable time limit. I will continue to provide reasonable identification and will pay undisputed legitimate charges once access is restored.

## 7. England and Wales law and completion

This completed fictional complaint is dated 7 February 2033 and is governed by England and Wales law. It does not demand that Calder compromise fraud prevention or disclose protected information, and it does not admit any wrongdoing. Please preserve account logs, call recordings, decision notes, payment failures and correspondence, acknowledge receipt within two working days, and explain any appeal or vulnerability support available to me.

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