Bank nearly froze our accounts | ExpatWoman.com
 

Bank nearly froze our accounts

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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 17:56
simpleasabc you are right. Normally we only would buy a car, as we have done in the past in our homecountry. But there is a different law and you have rights. But here I am now too scared- because of all I hear and read about sharia - frozen accounts - that it seems everyone is sending money overseas instead of saving here.......... Ditto
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 17:24
simpleasabc you are right. Normally we only would buy a car, as we have done in the past in our homecountry. But there is a different law and you have rights. But here I am now too scared- because of all I hear and read about sharia - frozen accounts - that it seems everyone is sending money overseas instead of saving here..........
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 17:10
Offer is from Hertz over 3 years. Offers are for Toyota RAV 4, Jeep Cherokee, Honda CRV and Nissan Qashqai - all between 3000 and 3600 AED over 36 months (Mod. 2010 and 2011, 30.000 or 40.000 km p.a.) - different models of each car avaiable edited by Domi on 19/01/2011 Thanks very much !
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 17:03
Sure leasing is not cheap. We have an offer for an SUV over 3400 AED per months over 3 years, which makes 122,400 AED in 3 years. After 3 years we can get a new one. When buying with loan, you pay also interests and all add. costs for maintenance, which makes it expensive at the end too and you eventually don't get a new car after 3 years. I think leasing makes it a bit easier?? so when we have to leave, we don't have to sell a car in only a months. And I think lot of people who have to leave and have to sell their cars, do it with a lot of loss? We're working on the principle that once we've paid off our loan, the car is ours and even if we sell it at less than we bought it for (which is logical as it will be, say, 3 years older, with more mileage on the clock than when it started), we will still have had use of it over the 3 years and will get more back from it than if we had been leasing it. Otherwise it's money for old rope, as it were. No?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 16:56
Offer is from Hertz over 3 years. Offers are for Toyota RAV 4, Jeep Cherokee, Honda CRV and Nissan Qashqai - all between 3000 and 3600 AED over 36 months (Mod. 2010 and 2011, 30.000 or 40.000 km p.a.) - different models of each car avaiable <em>edited by Domi on 19/01/2011</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 16:41
Sure leasing is not cheap. We have an offer for an SUV over 3400 AED per months over 3 years, which makes 122,400 AED in 3 years. After 3 years we can get a new one. When buying with loan, you pay also interests and all add. costs for maintenance, which makes it expensive at the end too and you eventually don't get a new car after 3 years. I think leasing makes it a bit easier?? so when we have to leave, we don't have to sell a car in only a months. And I think lot of people who have to leave and have to sell their cars, do it with a lot of loss? Can you telll me who is leasing suv for 3400 as I am about to give my leased car back TIA
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 16:38
Being fiscally smart about buying a vehicle depends on (a) what make/model you buy (b) condition at time of sale - mileage etc. and (c) how long you plan to be here. Toyota and Nissan have traditionally been better value overall - they are also cheaper and easier to service in that there are so many - there are lots of spare parts and mechanic shops are used to servicing them. A friend worked out that it is cheaper to buy if you plan on keeping the vehicle for 2 or more years - otherwise leasing is the way to go. Talk to people who have been here a while about incidental costs (inspections/services/insurance etc.) and keep an eye out for the asking prices for used vehicles - you'll get a feel for the market.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 16:35
What I don t understand is if you are asking hoe to clear the debt why do they want to freeze the accounts how stupid of them ??? [color=#330099'>It shows though that still people are leaving debt behind and the banks are hyper about it and obviously over reacting[/color'> The problem is we all get tarred with the same brush Yip, there was a guy from DH's work he went on holiday and never came back just a few weeks ago... turns out he has Dhs900 000 worth of debt that he left behind... think the bank is just gonna roll over and take that one? Doubt it! He had better keep his fingers cross he is never on a plane that transits via UAE in the future..... might not see himself leaving.... I feel fairly sure they will have taken that into consideration lol
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 16:10
Sure leasing is not cheap. We have an offer for an SUV over 3400 AED per months over 3 years, which makes 122,400 AED in 3 years. After 3 years we can get a new one. When buying with loan, you pay also interests and all add. costs for maintenance, which makes it expensive at the end too and you eventually don't get a new car after 3 years. I think leasing makes it a bit easier?? so when we have to leave, we don't have to sell a car in only a months. And I think lot of people who have to leave and have to sell their cars, do it with a lot of loss?
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 15:54
As we are here for a few months and still renting a car on a monthly basis, we are thinking about longterm SUV Lease or buying... but as we don't have enough cash here in Dubai, we are thinking about a car loan. But when reading your post regarding frozen accounts .... I am thinking, why are so many expats take out a car loan here instead of leasing? Sure the money is gone, but isn't it safer? I mean you don't have to sell a car, when you finish your contract here or loose your job. You don't have to sell a car possibly for a low price... Is it really so often that banks freeze accounts? Sometimes it seems without good reason... Leasing is expensive and like many of us took out loans as our jobs seemed so secure till the crash in late 2008.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 15:50
As we are here for a few months and still renting a car on a monthly basis, we are thinking about longterm SUV Lease or buying... but as we don't have enough cash here in Dubai, we are thinking about a car loan. But when reading your post regarding frozen accounts .... I am thinking, why are so many expats take out a car loan here instead of leasing? Sure the money is gone, but isn't it safer? I mean you don't have to sell a car, when you finish your contract here or loose your job. You don't have to sell a car possibly for a low price... Is it really so often that banks freeze accounts? Sometimes it seems without good reason...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 10:45
We also bank with the four lettered bank. I decided to give up my job last year and as we have a joint account they froze our bank account two weeks after I left work. My wages were minimal and my husband's are about ten times more a month than mine were. His wages had only just been paid in so they knew he was still working. They still froze our account because I would not be earning. They did this conveniently on a Thursday afternoon so we had to wait until Saturday for the bank to open. No joy whatsoever from anyone on the phone they just said 'your account is frozen'. Needless to say we were panicking all day Friday. It caused so many problems. I absolutely despise the bank system here. Most of the time the ATMs aren't working and as for internet banking, what a joke. They lost our bank transfer totally a few months back and it took ten days to sort that mess out and when they did find it they then charged us twice for sending it! If I could, I wouldn't use a bank at all. :0(
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 10:42
Its a very sad state but we cant blame the banks. It was only 2 weeks ago I was told of a chap that jumped ship as he was offered a job outside the UAE, he max'd his card and applied for aloan and got it, he withdrew all the money and did a runner. Alot of money I may add. As this was pre meditated, shocking, how does this chap sleep at night.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 10:36
I am a bit worried now, as I asked for the amount due on my car for early settlement (only 5 months left) as someone was interested in buying my car (sadly no longer ...). I have sent an email to my Personal banking contact to ensure that I am ok, and sent it from my work email so they know Im still employed!!!
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 10:34
Im still waiting for a replacement card from the world local bank, havent been able use the cash card in their machines for 16 months.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 10:32
she then tried to contact me on FB....cheeky mare perhaps you should reply with this link: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8170929/australia-uae-extradition-treaty-passed
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 10:31
And I thought I had communication problems with DEWA.... Its no wonder hairloss in Dubai is so prevalent. I did wonder at all those shampoos and got a filter and stepped up the vitamins- but the problem is bigger than just the entire city water supply- people must be literally pulling clumps out with all this cr*p to contend with!!! Thanks for the -er- heads-up. We were thinking of changing car too. How far do you think the knee jerking will go? If one asks to close an account to move funds to another bank- do you need to present a stamped letter of application from the other bank so they dont turn glacial? (we are not happy with our bank:)) Tell them nothing!!! At least until the IKEA sale is over;)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 10:01
I've been trying for a year now to get a debit card out of these people. I finally got one, but now the fight begins to get the pin number *rolls eyes* They won't let me have one, only a credit card - weird at first except then we realised that getting cash out on a credit card is hugely expensive so its obviously a ploy to make bank some money. As DH is traveling out of the UAE 80% of the time, I have to make sure I either have enough funds in my UK account and bear the cost of using an ATM here or ask him for cash before he goes. As an independent woman whose was used to managing our joint account in the UK the latter is a very very odd experience! The price I pay for retiring from work to be with DH in the Middel East I suppose. Final note from me on this: same bank has been useless here throughout the opening of a local account process... DH had to call their private banking office in London to get things moving. Things have sort of improved but not much - we still haven't got a cheque book to pay our rent with.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 09:57
What I don t understand is if you are asking hoe to clear the debt why do they want to freeze the accounts how stupid of them ??? [color=#330099'>It shows though that still people are leaving debt behind and the banks are hyper about it and obviously over reacting[/color'> The problem is we all get tarred with the same brush Yip, there was a guy from DH's work he went on holiday and never came back just a few weeks ago... turns out he has Dhs900 000 worth of debt that he left behind... think the bank is just gonna roll over and take that one? Doubt it! He had better keep his fingers cross he is never on a plane that transits via UAE in the future..... might not see himself leaving....
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 09:57
And I thought I had communication problems with DEWA.... Its no wonder hairloss in Dubai is so prevalent. I did wonder at all those shampoos and got a filter and stepped up the vitamins- but the problem is bigger than just the entire city water supply- people must be literally pulling clumps out with all this cr*p to contend with!!! Thanks for the -er- heads-up. We were thinking of changing car too. How far do you think the knee jerking will go? If one asks to close an account to move funds to another bank- do you need to present a stamped letter of application from the other bank so they dont turn glacial? (we are not happy with our bank:))
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 09:57
I think everyone knows of people who have done that but I realy thought it had all calmed down - obviously not or the banks wouldn t be the way they are But as we ve said on other posts once they ve gone they ve gone there is little the banks can do to get the oney back I know of a family who did this ( run owing lots ) over 2 years ago and have never heard a thing and they are not "underground" just living a normal life back home
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 09:54
Also know someone who did that Freckles. In addition to maxing out loans and credit cards they renewed their lease days before leaving, cashed the rent bank loan and took the rent money too. No one has even tried to find them yet! In this case the police were after them as they interviewed people at work (my dh's work) but no idea if they were ever caught
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 09:52
Also know someone who did that Freckles. In addition to maxing out loans and credit cards they renewed their lease days before leaving, cashed the rent bank loan and took the rent money too. No one has even tried to find them yet!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 09:48
I knew a couple a few years ago who took out loads of credit cards and loans, maxed them out, told his work they were going on holiday and hightailed it to Australia. It was all thought out before. They bought loads of furniture etc to get shipped to australia on the cards. she then tried to contact me on FB....cheeky mare
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 09:44
What I don t understand is if you are asking hoe to clear the debt why do they want to freeze the accounts how stupid of them ??? [color=#330099'>It shows though that still people are leaving debt behind and the banks are hyper about it and obviously over reacting[/color'> The problem is we all get tarred with the same brush Yip, there was a guy from DH's work he went on holiday and never came back just a few weeks ago... turns out he has Dhs900 000 worth of debt that he left behind... think the bank is just gonna roll over and take that one? Doubt it! Wow thats a serious amount to owe jeez how stupid were the banks to let him owe that much !
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 09:40
... glad I'm not the only one a little miffed.... funny end note... got a call from them later to say that they have reviewed our accounts and we are eligible to move to the premier/premieum whatever account... from frozen to promoted, all in one day. go figure
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 09:40
What I don t understand is if you are asking hoe to clear the debt why do they want to freeze the accounts how stupid of them ??? [color=#330099'>It shows though that still people are leaving debt behind and the banks are hyper about it and obviously over reacting[/color'> The problem is we all get tarred with the same brush Yip, there was a guy from DH's work he went on holiday and never came back just a few weeks ago... turns out he has Dhs900 000 worth of debt that he left behind... think the bank is just gonna roll over and take that one? Doubt it!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 09:37
I am still waiting for a replacement cash card 10 months from when one of their machines took it as I supposedly put in the wrong PIN. I hate having to as DH for cash.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 09:35
What I don t understand is if you are asking hoe to clear the debt why do they want to freeze the accounts how stupid of them ??? It shows though that still people are leaving debt behind and the banks are hyper about it and obviously over reacting The problem is we all get tarred with the same brush
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 09:11
I've been trying for a year now to get a debit card out of these people. I finally got one, but now the fight begins to get the pin number *rolls eyes*
 
 

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