Paragon Bank
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It would be simpler to plait fog than claim your ISA with Paragon Bank
I had taken out an ISA with Paragon for the grandchildren. To avoid falling victim to scams Paragon Bank said I could freeze the ISA account and nobody would be able to unlock it without going through security measures. Thinking, Paragon bank operated like other banks, those security measures would be a series of questions that only I would know the answers to, I agreed to the account being locked. However, I had no idea how much misery and money it was going to cost to gain access to the money. After discussing it with the family it was decided the time had arrived to distribute the money between the grandchildren. I telephoned Paragon Bank to unfreeze the account. I needed to send them the following up to date documents... My Passport or exact copy My driving license or exact copy Letter from a professional person identifying me My wife and I haven't had a holiday abroad since the Pandemic, my passport has expired (travelling anywhere is out of the question due to health reasons) and will cost £100 to renew it. I understand from the Post Office, they will send copies of my passport and my license; but it would cost dearly and I have since discovered that my GP charges £25 for non-medical letters and a similar situation exists with other professional persons of my acquaintance. I telephoned Paragon bank, asking if there were other solutions to my dilemma. I was told I did not need a letter from a professional person, but I still needed to send copies of my licence; plus a copy of a recent statement from my regular bank. At 78 years of age and being unfamiliar with modern technology, my son prepared the required documents and emailed them to Paragon. Then on the 1st September I received a letter from Emily Shepherd, customer services at Paragon bank who said... [...] We are unable to verify your ID due to the documents provided not being eligible[...] And I was told to send them again. My son submitted two pictures of my driving licence, front and back and a photocopy of a regular bank statement. I had blacked-out figures as Paragon bank didn't need to see how much money I had in my regular bank. I have shown people the documents submitted and they had no problem identifying me from my driving licence and from the recent regular bank statement: my name, address, account number and sort code. It is understandable that Banks need to be vigilant and to bring about measures to protect itself and its customers from scams. However, I would suggest, Paragon bank has gone too far as its precautions might be alienating customers; either that or Paragon bank are running their own scam, keeping its customer's money out of reach of customers; it seems that way to me. I am sorry I ever put my money into Paragon bank, furthermore, I am sorry I had ever heard of Paragon bank at all. I would never tell my gentle reader what he or she should do but, having read of my experience with this bank. One might not see it as a 'paragon of virtue', more a 'fiend of malevolence' that one might treat like the plague while observing other banks are available. IN RESPONSE TO PARAGON'S REPLY I have heard from your team and we have not proceeded with my issue.