How To Get Money From A Closed Bank Account?

Having your bank account has its benefits. You get to save your money in one place while earning extra income in the form of savings interest. Other benefits of having a bank account are that people also invest in fixed deposits, open current accounts for businesses, etc. People even go to the extent to open multiple bank accounts to avail of different benefits from different accounts. 

But what if your account were to get frozen or get shut because of bankruptcy? What happens if you send money to your closed bank account? Would it be possible to recover money in such situations? All of these situations are very uncertain and people should be aware of the above. Let us now understand how we can tackle these situations and recover our money. 

Reasons Why Your Money Gets Stuck

There are numerous reasons why your money gets stuck in the bank. Following is the reasons:

1. Frozen Bank Account

The biggest reason why your money may get stuck is since the bank has frozen your account. Usually, the bank blocks your account when they discover that there are some problems with your account. By freezing your account, the bank forbids you from carrying out certain activities. Although you are allowed to deposit your money into your account, you cannot withdraw your money. In short, your money is stuck with the bank until your account starts functioning back to normal. 

2. Account Is Closed

Your money will get stuck in your bank account if it shuts down due to bankruptcy or if you have shut your bank account and forgotten to withdraw money. If you shut down your account there are chances that you can still withdraw your money up to the permissible limit. 

3. Dormant Account

In any case, if your account remains inactive or dormant for a longer duration, the banks will transfer your money to any fund that it may have. The process varies with every bank, about handling inactive accounts. Check with your bank if you are unaware of it, or it is better to clarify with the bank before opening an account there. 

Step By Step Process To Get Your Money From Closed Bank Account

We have already addressed various reasons why your money may be stuck in the bank account. But in case a customer wants to withdraw or claim his deposits, what should they do? The following are the ways you can get your money back:

1. Unfreeze The Bank Account

As discussed earlier, if your account is frozen by the bank on several grounds like the bank suspects fraudulent activity, court’s orders, outstanding debt, or using funds for illegal work. If your account is frozen due to legal problems then it will take a while to unfreeze it. But if in any case your account gets frozen for unknown reasons or suspected fraud, you have to contact your bank and provide clear identity proof. Once you are cleared of not having any connections in fraudulent activities your account will unfreeze and you will be able to withdraw your money. 

2. Withdrawing Money From A Closed Account

Many people make the mistake of not withdrawing their money from a closed bank account. Before closing the bank account, you must ensure that you transfer your funds to your latest account. But make sure you have a minimum balance required by the bank otherwise they will slap you with bank charges. Sometimes you may end up transferring your money to a closed bank account. In this case, the transaction will not be accepted and hence you should get your money back. If the bank goes bankrupt then the depositors may be insured in some cases.   

3. Claiming The Unclaimed Deposits

If your account has been dormant for a longer-term, the bank will transfer your unclaimed deposits. However, that does not mean that you cannot get your money back. You will have to fill a claim form, know your customer (KYC) form and show the receipts of your deposits or simply your passbook. Once the bank gets all of your identity proof and account proof, they will get the unclaimed deposit credited to your account which can be withdrawn. However, check with your bank for their specific process in handling dormant accounts. 

Also Check: How to Use An ATM Machine 

Final Thoughts

In short, you must ensure that you maintain an active bank balance, fill all the required KYC documents, keep a track of your transactions and use your money as and when it is required. Please ensure that you repay all your loans or report any suspicious transactions to your bank. By following all the rules, you can easily avail all the banking facilities that make your life easy. 

Frequently Asked Questions