Bank Questions - Freezing/Closing Accounts | ExpatWoman.com
 

Bank Questions - Freezing/Closing Accounts

318
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 August 2011 - 13:45

Hi ladies, know there are a few threads on this but wanted to know specifically if a bank is likely to freeze your account even if all loans paid out and credit cards paid and cancelled in advance? I am awaiting my final EOS benefits/gratuity and once this hits my account I plan on transferring funds out of the country and closing the account before I leave Dubai permanately next weel. I have no debts so dont see a reason for freezing however have heard horror stories so wanted to be sure. I bank with ADCB who have been pretty decent as far as banks go.

Also, has anyone closed a bank account with ADCB and if so, was this a simple process or a time consuming one? do I have to physically go to a branch to cancel or can I arrange over the phone? how long should I allow for this, 1 day? 1 hour? thanks all

318
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 09:18
I know :( All loans paid out and CC cancelled but still so worried. There is always someone that stuffs up your plans eh!
544
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 09:14
Hi I got a final salary from my old job recently and the bank (Mashreq in my case) froze the account to the amount of our loans, so if you don't have any then you might be fine. But you never know. Unfortunately you can't really predict what they are going to do. Good luck. FFx
318
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 09:05
Rachel, I asked them if they could transfer the final settlement to my husbands account as he is staying here a little longer than me, or alternatively if they could pay it in cash/cheque and have him collect in my absence but as per 'policy' it has to be paid into my current salary account. I am so worried now the bank will freeze the funds on notifiation that this is my final pay and I wont be here to do anything about it. To unfreeze/transfer/close account apparently you have to visit a branch and I cant well do that while I am in Australia! I have a lot to lose and am freaking out. I want to call the bank and ask them about leaving account open/closing account/freezing etc, but obv this is not a good idea as you just cant trust banks! Sorry to rant, just hate it when things are left to the last minute, want to enjoy last couple of days here not be running around like a stressed out headless chook:(
1326
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 08:59
Can't you transfer the funds that are in the account now to your home account, close the UAE account, and ask your employer to send EOS to your home account? <em>edited by RachelA on 21/08/2011</em>
4000
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 08:59
I'm pretty sure they have changed the rules regarding dormant accounts and banks are no longer permitted to charge fees for that anymore.
318
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 08:53
This is so frustrating. I was told by my employer that 2 weeks would be plenty of time to get visa cancelled and receive EOS benefits/final pay. I handed my passport in a week ago and its STILL not ready for collection (I fly on Wednesday so this makes me very nervous) and now it looks like my pay wont be transfered until after I leave. IF the bank dont freeze my account (and they have no reason to) I could transfer the money to my home country account but then I am stuck with an open bank account which may attract fees. Arent you supposed to close a current account after visa and employment terminated? Arrgh I dont know what to do. Everything else relating to the move home has run smoothly but there is always something last minute to stress me out!
4000
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 08:44
Bumping a thread from a few days ago. Does anyone know if you can close an account over the phone after leaving Dubai? Or must it be in person? As its not looking likely my final salary payment/EOS benefits will be paid into my account before I leave for good on Wednesday. Thanks all for your assistance. When I closed my account, on switching banks, I had to go in person and sign forms, I would think everywhere would require the same. I'd be surprised if you could close over the phone, very much doubt it as that would be risky from the fraud aspect for customers. I would call the bank and ask about the proceedure. You don't have to tell them now you are leaving Dubai, you could be just switching banks. <em>edited by Di@DXB on 21/08/2011</em>
318
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 08:26
Bumping a thread from a few days ago. Does anyone know if you can close an account over the phone after leaving Dubai? Or must it be in person? As its not looking likely my final salary payment/EOS benefits will be paid into my account before I leave for good on Wednesday. Thanks all for your assistance.
Anonymous (not verified)
0
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 August 2011 - 14:23
dear, I don't think so....if you have no outstanding loan or credit card amount ...why should the bank do that??? I've closed my account with well known bank...staying here.... then I opened with different bank. Close yr account, don't tell the bank you're leaving the country...if you have some doubts...,. say you want open in different bank and...khalas!!!! my friend had problems with E.B only because she paid the loan, but she didn't pay the credit cards...
318
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 August 2011 - 14:14
bump..anyone?:)
 
 

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