Is it possible to live without a Bank account?

[Alex321]

From the Citizens Advice website.

“ If you're bankrupt or have a record of fraud, you will not usually be allowed to open a bank account. Also, you may be refused permission to open a current account if you have a poor credit rating. However, if you're bankrupt or have a poor credit rating, you may be able to open a basic bank account.”

‘May be able’ isn’t a guarantee.

No, but the main reason they can refuse you is if you can't provide proof of ID or Address, or you are eligible for a "normal" bank account with them.

There are a few other reasons they may refuse, such as Fraud or illegal immigrants, and that is why it is "may" - they aren't going to list indetail the possibilities on that website.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/2038/part/4/made

 

[fossyant]

Even small traders in Manchester are card only in many places - much safer for them not having cash about. I sometimes carry cash, 'just in case', but I think I've a £10 note in my wallet that's not moved in ages ! I have £10 tucked in one of my cycling rucksacks too (somewhere).

I've even gone all 21st century and can pay on my watch now !

 

[PeteXXX]

You don’t need to buy “stuff” online

You don't necessarily need to, but you might want to.

 

[PeteXXX]

My local Chippy only takes cash. It's next door to the Tesco cashpoint, though.. But, obviously, if you don't have a Bank account, you can't use it.
My local Ironmnger is Cash Only, too.

 

[annedonnelly]

I ask small independents which they prefer. There are charges associated with using credit/debit cards. However, there are also bank charges for depositing cash. So some traders prefer one and some the other. I try to oblige.

 

[oldwheels]

You cannot get fuel for a vehicle here unless you have a card account with more than £100 as the pumps have been converted. No means of paying cash.
The machine takes £100 from your account before you can refuel and then charges for the fuel before refunding the £100. I assume if you have not enough in the account it takes the payment from the £100.
This is the only refuelling point in town.

 

[Mo1959]

You cannot get fuel for a vehicle here unless you have a card account with more than £100 as the pumps have been converted. No means of paying cash.
The machine takes £100 from your account before you can refuel and then charges for the fuel before refunding the £100. I assume if you have not enough in the account it takes the payment from the £100.
This is the only refuelling point in town.

So presumably anyone hard up that's waiting on their pay going in at the end of the month has had it then? I remember the days of being down to very little left in my account and only going in for a tenner's worth at the end of a month.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You don't necessarily need to, but you might want to.

But this about can you live without. Can you live without buying stuff online? Yes you can!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You cannot get fuel for a vehicle here unless you have a card account with more than £100 as the pumps have been converted. No means of paying cash.
The machine takes £100 from your account before you can refuel and then charges for the fuel before refunding the £100. I assume if you have not enough in the account it takes the payment from the £100.
This is the only refuelling point in town.

Not the way card authorisation works. The first bit is usually just a pre authorisation check. Funds aren’t actually taken till after the fuelling.

 

[Mo1959]

But this about can you live without. Can you live without buying stuff online? Yes you can!

I can't! ........or at least, I certainly don't want to try

 

[MichaelW2]

Only if your name is John Wick.

 

[Electric_Andy]

In this day and age no, I wouldn't have thought so. Maybe for an older person who has never had one, and sort of lived off the radar and only done cash in hand work. I wouldn't want to anyway; the benefits far outweigh the negatives

 

[dicko]

Nigel Farage has had his bank account closed for no reason whatsoever and he can’t get another no bank will touch him.

 

[Nibor]

State Pension, yes, I could collect it from the Post Office.

Technically this is paid into a bank account an withdrawn at the post office "bank"

 

[johnblack]

I was at a gig at the Bowl on Sunday, it was cashless, but the card readers weren't working due to overload and bad reception. no contingency to take cash, just thousands of people unable to spend their money on extremely overpriced cider.