Bank want details

[overthehill]

Hi peeps,
I have just been emailed by deputy manager of Bankia wanting confirmation of earnings proof eg tax return/ salary slip. Has anyone else been asked for this? I am owner of property, without mortgage. Not quite sure why they want this.

Thanks for any help.

[Mark]

How do you know it really is the bank manager and not a scammer ?

Tread carefully as banks don't ask for personal details by email and email is not secure and can be read and intercepted on the way.

Never click on links in emails or provide information.

Look at it another way, if a total stranger wearing a smart suit knocked on your front door and said he needed your verify financial details would you hand them over ?

have a read of this:
Phishing Scams - Anti-Phishing Information

If the email had any pictures or logos in it then it was HTML and just reading it can be risky from trojans etc.

I would run an anti virus and malware scan to be sure.

You can make your home network much more secure for free with open DNS name servers as this will block most of the dodgy websites that scammers set up so even if you are tricked into clicking a link the scam site will be blocked and you will be taken to a warning page at open DNS.

All that is needed is the 'premium' DNS which is free and nothing needs to be installed in your PC just some settings to change in router and PC.

OpenDNS for Homes and Families

[overthehill]

Thanks for your reply.
Yep, I wouldn't dream of sending anything until all this was checked out properly. Just wondered if anyone else had been asked, whilst I try to get hold of branch by phone - never easy- no one picking up as yet!!

[majprop]

The best way to check is to phone Marie Antonia at the bank who is the under manager and ask her, leave it till tomorrow (Friday) as they are on strike today and have been striking on and off in the past week to protest against the staff reductions throughout Spain !!!!.

[lollipop]

I do know the banks are asking for this information it is all tied in with the tax declarations etc. and the exchange of information between UK and Spain.

[whaleywanderer]

I had a letter off Bankia requesting the same information, when I didn't respond Maria sent me an email to request it. If you're not sure you should call the branch, they will explain why they want it.

[gpm]

Yes, I got it as well. The letter mentions the "black economy", we don't rent out the apartment, but I wonder if this is the tax authorities trying to find out who does and where your money is coming from. A bit too intrusive for my liking, I only use the account to pay Gas and electricity, I wonder if I can pay it from a uk bank and close the account.

[overthehill]

Thanks everyone for the responses. It shows how the forum can help! It is all to do with the authorities checking that we have income from UK.

I rang Maria to explain more about it to me. It seems we should have got a letter back in September, but we didn't receive it. When we called in to pay the yearly tax bill in early December, nothing was mentioned to us then either. So not very impressed with their customer service at all. Now they want this info in a rush (not prepared to wait until our next visit in March), to satisfy the authorities that they are checking their customers as they should and getting their paperwork in order!!

I suppose she's only doing her job but someone slipped up somewhere!

Methinks maybe a change in bank would be a smart move. Can Barclays arrange for the transfer of the direct debits for us as we only use the account to service utilities & community charges. Can't be doing with this hassle!

[whaleywanderer]

I think you'll find all banks are required to collect this same information.

[majprop]

I have spoken to a Spanish lawyer in Palma and he tells me this is all related to a new regulation brought in last week and the information is required by the tax authorities who are working hand in hand with the U.K. authorities. All Spanish banks are required to collate the information as are the U.K banks in relation to Spanish residents in the U.K. !!!!.

[alcanadakid]

We have heard nothing from our bank - La Caixa

[gpm]

Are Bankia owned by the Spanish Government? Whereby the other banks are still owned by shareholders. In other words is this the two Governments getting together to pry into our details, or am I just paranoid!

[Mark]

Originally Posted by gpm

Are Bankia owned by the Spanish Government?

A few old links:

Spain takes over Bankia to fight crisis | Reuters

Bankia bailout an investment not a loan, says lender - Telegraph

Bankia shares plunge as bailout looms - Dec. 27, 2012

In other words is this the two Governments getting together to pry into our details, or am I just paranoid!

Nothing to worry about it's most likely just to help collect some more tax for the European Union slush fund

[Tiggy]

In the future, any person who is resident in Spain, to disclose their property abroad: bank accounts, life insurance policies, stocks, mutual fund shares, real estate. Those who do not fulfill this obligation must expect hefty fines, should the Spanish tax authorities get wind of it.

The new rule applies only to residents, ie persons who are fully taxable in Spain. The main criterion is the length of stay: Those who spend more than 183 days a year, is staying here, is considered resident. Must expose the affected their assets abroad, which are divided into three categories:

1) Cash at bank
2) life insurance policies, stocks, fund holdings (and so on)
3) property. Than € 50,000 limit applies to each of the three categories.

The declaration must be made this year to the end of April. This is only possible via the Internet on the side of the tax authority, which can be reached at Agencia Tributaria - Inicio. There is the "declaraciones informativas 2012" all the information and the form to be completed.

Requirement for the submission of the declaration via the Internet, however, is to install a so-called "security certificate", which again is a bit cumbersome. Also experience with Spanish authorities required forms (in this case, "Modelo 720").

Before informing the IRS about his assets abroad, you should ensure that these are properly taxed. Those who failed to report the income tax return data, this can take as self-display in order. Who in the disclosure of his assets abroad does not give correct information, you can expect a fine, which may exceed the actual asset. (jm)

[pollensa]

As mentioned above this only applied if you are deemed to be 'resident' and does not apply if you are a property owner who visits a few times a year.