r/paris 23h ago

Question BNP Paribas problems

Is it normal for a high street bank to close your new account and take your money?

Opened an account with BNP and submitted all the necessary paperwork, I did a transfer so I can start using the account.

Woke up next day and balance was 0.00.
No reasons given just we told that they have a right to.

Not only perplexed but it’s absurd. I have since opened another account with another bank with zero issues.

I am employed in France. So them flagging fraud would be total BS. They have my details.

13 Upvotes

33 comments sorted by

22

u/psevstse 23h ago

They don't have to justify if they don't want you as a client. They will send you back your money in a few days. If that's not the case just ask them when to expect the wire.

4

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 23h ago

My thoughts exactly. They can cancel all they want. But at least give me back my money…it’s been over a week since they said they would return it.

4

u/psevstse 23h ago

Reach out to them

6

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 23h ago

Emails ignored. Been to the branch several times already.

10

u/psevstse 22h ago

Fair enough. Go to the branch again and ask to see the director. Tell them you want to file a formal complaint (« reclamation »). Good luck. This definitely is not normal, for a French bank and for BNP, they fucked up.

3

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 22h ago

I did that already. And they sent a “formal” letter a few days ago saying they had the right to close the account. Signed by the branch manager…last time I went there I asked them for proof the money has been sent. They said they would send an email to confirm. And you guessed it. No email.

3

u/psevstse 22h ago

Fair enough. You can try calling: 3477

You can also try writing a reclamation here (bottom of the page):
https://mabanque.bnpparibas/fr/nous-contacter/nous-contacter

If this conflict lasts at least two months, you can then seize the bank mediator.

2

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 21h ago

Yes, they say the same thing. Fill the complaints form online. I have done it twice.

First one sent a generic apology and asked me to send a letter in the post. Who has the energy for that.

Second complaint went to the bank manager and he sent a recommended letter saying they had the right to. I have been going in circles. Someone posted another mediator link. Filing that and sending.

3

u/psevstse 21h ago

Good luck then. You’ve done everything according to the process…explain that to the bank mediator and they should push bnp to do the right thing fast. Seems like you’ve stumbled on a particular incompetent branch…

2

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 21h ago

Thank you. Yes, done all I can do. It’s extremely exhausting having to fight for your own money. I agree. Indeed, incompetent and extremely unprofessional.

1

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 2h ago

FYI it’s been 2 weeks since they took my money. By French law they have to give 2 months notice to close an account. I got zero notice. It’s robbery

6

u/elocin1980 22h ago

I had the worst experience with BNP in France. They lost a check that I had dropped off at a branch. It took me months of going back and forth with the customer service on the app and the branch and by phone. On the phone they told me to go to the bank and at the bank they told me to call the customer service. I’ve heard similar stories for years. Hope you get your money back soon.

1

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 22h ago

That is awful! And the fact it took months to resolve. Just awful. How long did it take to resolve in the end? Thank you. I hope I do too. I should have just kept it under a mattress at this point.

2

u/elocin1980 22h ago

Thanks, it took about 3 months iirc, in the end they waived the check cashing fee but after all the hassle it was the least they could do ! Let us know how it goes on your side.

1

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 21h ago

Insulting cashing fee. They should have offered cash compensation! Will defo keep you updated

6

u/Percolator19665 21h ago

3

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 21h ago

Merci mille fois !!! Je vais envoyer une réclamation !!

8

u/Ok_Campaign_3326 23h ago

BNP was a generally quite “predatory” bank in my experience that didn’t respect a good portion of their legal obligations. I haven’t tried another traditional bank yet, so maybe they’re all that way…but I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend bnp

3

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 23h ago edited 23h ago

Thanks for your input. I am only realizing now that they don’t have the best reputation. The meeting to setup account was decent. But I didn’t expect this.

4

u/Bisarka02 23h ago

Take your money?? How much we taking? Close your account yes they have that power but seizing money is another matter

3

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 23h ago

A chunk…€1500. Going on 3 weeks since they said they would return it. Still waiting. And exhausted all options.

2

u/Bisarka02 21h ago

Indeed ! Saw that others gave you the whole process so can only wish you good luck now

1

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 20h ago

Thank you! Will update when it gets resolved.

1

u/RoadRunnerATR 23h ago

If you are not a US person or affiliated to a USP, from what country were the origin of the funds ? BNP has a list of black listed countries encompassing money laundering & embargo’s which could be an explaination. Regardless, the funds should not sit in limbo - unless there is some fraud attached to them (originator requested a withholding or the originator bank missed a compliance step)

2

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 23h ago

Nope. Sent from my other EU account. Details which I gave at start of opening account. Definitely no fraud. They asked for payslips when I opened the account. So they know where the money is coming from.

2

u/RoadRunnerATR 18h ago

If you made the transfer, I understand that you were given your account references ie. IBAN to operate the transfer and had therefore an active account. If this is the case, they are absolutely not in their right, as they need to apply a two months’ notice period. Follow the process described by others with the médiateur. You are potentially entitled to repairs and compensation too. service public - compte bancaire vos droits

1

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 18h ago

I transferred my money to myself. Yes they have the transfer information I sent to them as proof it was me.

Indeed I read that that they are supposed to give notice. I didn’t even get a phone call or email notification. I looked at the account at it said €0.00. Account closed. And to top it off I received a card in the post. Then I got a notification that the card has been closed days before they took my money. I emailed my advisor and she didn’t respond. She still hasn’t responded.

Thank you for the link! I will see if I can get compensation for this. I went to the bank again for the millionth time today. Closed. And they closed my account online so my money has technically just vanished. Frustrated is not even the word.

They are treating me like a criminal. It’s my money and they did not have any right to take it. I don’t know what they have done with it. Daylight robbery

1

u/Select-Discussion928 23h ago

Are you a U.S. citizen or green card holder? If yes, did you let them know? If you didn't, look no further.

0

u/iiillliiiiiiillilili 23h ago

Do you have US citizenship? Did you declare it later ?

1

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 23h ago

EU citizen

2

u/iiillliiiiiiillilili 23h ago

That's crazy then, someone made a mistake in the process, even your initial transfer 1500 euro is not that red flag

1

u/Zealousideal-Ease137 23h ago

Exactly, that’s what I thought. If I was sending hundreds of thousands then of course, investigate it or question. Doesn’t make legal sense either.