Opening a Bank Account

There are some circumstances in which opening a bank account can be a challenge for people with a criminal record:

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• Lack of ID
• Record of fraud
• Undischarged bankrupts
• Poor credit rating

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The charity, Unlock*, provides guidance on overcoming these common obstacles.

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What if I don't have a fixed address?

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In many circumstances, homelessness can prevent you from opening a bank account. 

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HSBC has a ‘No Fixed Address’ account. 

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To access the No Fixed Address programme, you must be experiencing homelessness or housing difficulties and receiving support from a registered charity or organisation.  To find out if your local charity is registered, please reach out to them directly.

Source: HSBC

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Shelter Scotland are partners in the delivery of the No Fixed Address account.

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*Unlock is a charity based in England and Wales. Although much of the information on their website is applicable UK wide, some does not apply to Scotland.

They also provide a free helpline. However, if you do contact their helpline, it is important that you tell them that you live in Scotland, because many of the laws are different.