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Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Hello there,

I have been withdrawing on a daiy basis around £450 to my bank account for the last 4 months from various different stealth accounts.

Today, I have received a letter home regarding the transactions like where do I get the money from and what business do I own.

I was going to say, I have a business in another country but they send me the money through Paypal then I withdraw through the bank. Which is basically divident. But the stealth ebay account names are different and Im sure it will show up on the each transactions.

So can you guys please advise, what can i tell my bank about the business i own and where the money comes from?


Thanks.

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Out of curiosity, what bank are we talking about?

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

What type of account was being used?

That is a lot activity and the bank is naturally curious.

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

@OP, if you are not using a business current (a.k.a chequing) account, bank is likely going to be asking these kind of questions with stream of money coming in and out.

Was the letter you received registered?

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

It's a lloyds bank and it has been asked mainly about the withdrwal from paypal as its clearly stated on the letter.

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Typical llloyds behaviour.

Is it a basic or current account?

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Its a current account & Can I just tell them Im doing a small ebay business. Would they be okay with that or would they ask alot of information.

Just wondering, thanks

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

I think that might be your best bet. You have an eBay business that sells a lot of small items and thats why there are a lot of transactions. But you should also not withdraw daily. I know it might effect your business but thats too many deposits in a short amount of time from so many accounts.

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

****ing Lloyds, ruining it for errbody. As usual.

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

I work in financial services . It's highly advisable to be honest (partially). Banks tend not to like deception. Say that its for ebay and that you are running accounts with alias' for your own security purposes, however there is a clear audit trail and proof of ownership should they need it.

It is likely that thay could then ask you to open a business account, to which you could say that a business account is not practical. They could then force you and that would be your time to move on.

The above is far better than lying and commuting fraud to a financial institution.

Hope that helps.

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

I mean, if you are honest and bank ADVISES you to open business account, surely thats good advice and perhaps work with the bank rather than walk away because something forced you to be "more legit"?

I don't understand whats so bad about having busienss account with a bank, if you are moving business money and are a business? Surey its good to have a nice relationship with bank and work with them, rather than hop from bank to bank every time they send you a letter?

Unless you change your banking patterns and spread your money between accounts, I can see this problem happening again in the future. Unless you suddenly want to make less money than you are making now?

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Haidukken

The basic tenet is correct.

However, where users have family members involved with their "stealth" activity, a friendly relationship with a bank might not be feasible.

Despite not being resident permanently in the UK, I have business accounts and sound working relationships with my UKmbanks. The stealth me is not so different from the real me, if you get my drift.

The issue happens when the truth is stretched. Few banks will go along with that type of business.

My UK banks accept to never allow paypal to touch what is not their business. i never gave paypal the OK. For us, it is a great convenience to be on good terms with our banks.

:comp5:

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

I've just got a letter from sainsburys bank asking why there is so much money coming in as its a personal account. Time to move on :(

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

You don't move on from such situations, you find a long term solution. Spreading sales across multiple accounts is a good solution, or getting a business bank is a good solution.

By moving on to another bank, you will only get the same slack from them, and then you will become a bank gypsy - if there is such a thing. :pout:

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Oh I like THAT.... a bank gypsy.

In today's economic climate, it would be the most risly title to have.

Imagine being blacklisted by banks simply because of needing to do stealth paypal.

For sure, a better working solution is needed as Play suggests.

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

I have been to the bank today to sort out this mess and they have contacted another department and asked them about this and they printed the statement questioning about each trasactions. I have managed to answer the questions but then they have told me, they will send the answers I have given to them to the relevent department and they will get back to me.

But then They have told me to open up a business account & can I register for business or doest it involve lot of procesures. I mean do i have to have VAT registered to open up a business account?

Thanks

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

You tripped their fraud alerts. Dont suppose you use a branch to do your transactions do you?

Opening a Business Banking Account is very simple, you certainly dont have to be VAT registered but i would suggest you book an appointment with their Business Advisor and get some further details. For a Sole Trader you generally only need ID, a document from HMRC and a company letter head.

You will need to pay for Business Banking and fees will vary with most banks offering free introductory offers, so shop about.

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Just a question... Hows your relationship with our lovely Queens financial services? Do you pay taxes and does your paperwork add up?

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Some major banks won't need anything from you to upgrade to a business account as a sole trader. I remember Barclays told me I could do it on the phone with them, no need to come into branch, no ID, etc.

It really isn't as complicated as some make it out to be. If in doubt, just call the relevant bank between 9am - 5pm and they will put your mind at ease. :)

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

spreading sales means listing similar products on multiple platforms and increasing possibility of linkage

i tried to sign up to a natwest business bank today but they said they wouldn't allow me to have another business bank account open with another bank

How to work around this?

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Could you start paying your suppliers with Paypal? Perhaps could move less money into bank account and directly pay suppliers from PP?
Just an idea, as I don't know what you sell.

How many accounts do you have at the moment and how many products are you selling? Surely you could make listings look different and work on it, to try and avoid linking of the account?
Other people here do it, so perhaps its worth a shot.

It all depends how many accounts you are already selling on and how many products you are trying to sell I guess- Its all about scalability and how creative you can be, whilst pushing the limits and taking all the right steps in order to build sustainable business.


Just as an example, I can say that when I started selling on eBay I did it has a hobby and never took it seriously- Then I started making serious money and 2 weeks later I got kicked off.
I had 2 days to think about my situation and then I decided to learn from my mistakes and really imporve my business model as a whole. Been successful ever since.

These little problems are sort of reality checks for all of us- How well is out business set up and how sustainable the whole thing is.
Take it as a little learning curve and take your time solving the problem. If you take shortcuts, you will end up in a same situation or worse.

Solve the problem, don't try to avoid it.

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

HAH this is great. I feel like this when opening new accounts.

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

this is not a solution for me, for too many reasons to list

I need a new bank account that won't be a problem.

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

loyds bank is not a good choice for stealth as i recall .
or am i missing something

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

No, you are correct... Can be as painful as paypal.

Combined, the worst tummy ache you could get.

:tears:

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

If you are taking in 450 GBP that is $219,000 US Dollars per year. ANY bank is going to be curious, especially when you throw in different names. In the US the answer is easy, use multiple banks. But I understand it is easier said than done in the UK.

Any possibility of splitting that between 2 banks, or no?

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

You see, thats the real problem.

You want to keep everything the same without changing what you do, with hopes of finding a magic bank that will never question your business model and how you move money.
Every experienced user here is giving you very similar advice, but for some reason you can't take their advice.

You can't make an egg without cracking some chickens.:coffee:

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

no that's not good advice

and no i want to change what i do. I want to use a business bank

Other members mentioned UK business bank accounts as being the way forward. good advice.

But I want to ask them what banks they use and if having multiple business bank accounts is a problem? As natwest would not entertain the idea of me holding another business bank elsewhere

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

can anyone recommend a business bank?

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Op do you have various PP stealths withdrawing into ONE bank account? Thought that wasn't a thing...

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Hsbc lloyds Netwest all very good for business banking

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

great thanks

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Lloyds? You sure about that one?

I don't think I've ever heard a good thing about Lloyds in this forum. Might be different for business banking, but still... You sure?

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Lloyds are terrible - 1 mismatch name or anything similar and accounts frozen for up to 2 months, headache in itself.

Have a look on the net at the horror stories.

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Lloyd's Business Accounts are fine been using one for 6 years with different name on payments

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Been using lloyds business account for long time never had issue

Did used personal account aswell it was ok for me

Hsbc closed one of my friend account on 30 days notice they not even bother to mention reason simply says we can't offer our services it must be name issue with paypal

So far lloyds really good

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Putting stealth aside, I have heard Lloyds is a horrific bank to do your banking with. Albeit most testimonials I read were from personal customers. Maybe their business banking is worth a shot?

I noticed nobody mentioned Barclays - Whats wrong with their business banking services?

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

I found lloyds so far very good for business banking maybe just my branch!!

Barclay I tried to open in past for some reason not manage to get account as it was for Ltd banks require lot of information lloyds was quite good and fast

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

Interesting, thanks for sharing :)

Re: Bank asking where the money comes from and about my business
 

just curious.. did you solve your problem.