A UK Co-op Customer Was Told They Couldn't Get Their Will Updated Because They Were Born in Russia
Despite having dual nationality with the UK and Germany, a customer was recently told that their will-writing service had been cancelled because of their Russian birthplace. The customer, who has lived in the UK since childhood and revoked their Russian citizenship over 20 years ago, was shocked when they were asked to provide proof of renunciation.
In an effort to comply with potential sanctions regulations related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Co-op advised that it had received specialist legal advice instructing them not to provide services to anyone born in Russia. However, experts have questioned whether this is a lawful approach.
According to the UK government, individuals are not prohibited from financial and legal services simply because they were born in Russia or connected to someone who is sanctioned under Russian regulations. The customer's assets would be left to their partner and daughter, neither of whom have any ties to Russia.
The Co-op claims that its decision was made with safety in mind due to the serious consequences of non-compliance with sanctions regulations. However, it has been criticized for taking a "no-risk" approach, which appears to prioritize business protection over customer rights.
In light of this incident, questions are being raised about whether companies can lawfully discriminate against customers based on their place of birth. The HM Treasury's response suggests that while there is more emphasis on where an individual lives rather than where they were born, it ultimately falls up to the company to decide how to comply with the regulations.
The Co-op customer has been left frustrated by this outcome and highlights a broader issue in which individuals may be denied services due to factors unrelated to their current nationality or connections.
Despite having dual nationality with the UK and Germany, a customer was recently told that their will-writing service had been cancelled because of their Russian birthplace. The customer, who has lived in the UK since childhood and revoked their Russian citizenship over 20 years ago, was shocked when they were asked to provide proof of renunciation.
In an effort to comply with potential sanctions regulations related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Co-op advised that it had received specialist legal advice instructing them not to provide services to anyone born in Russia. However, experts have questioned whether this is a lawful approach.
According to the UK government, individuals are not prohibited from financial and legal services simply because they were born in Russia or connected to someone who is sanctioned under Russian regulations. The customer's assets would be left to their partner and daughter, neither of whom have any ties to Russia.
The Co-op claims that its decision was made with safety in mind due to the serious consequences of non-compliance with sanctions regulations. However, it has been criticized for taking a "no-risk" approach, which appears to prioritize business protection over customer rights.
In light of this incident, questions are being raised about whether companies can lawfully discriminate against customers based on their place of birth. The HM Treasury's response suggests that while there is more emphasis on where an individual lives rather than where they were born, it ultimately falls up to the company to decide how to comply with the regulations.
The Co-op customer has been left frustrated by this outcome and highlights a broader issue in which individuals may be denied services due to factors unrelated to their current nationality or connections.
, can you imagine having your will updated and then being told it's not allowed because of where you were born? 
I mean, I get that sanctions and all that jazz can be serious business, but shouldn't companies just focus on who the person is today and what they've done for themselves? 
Born in Russia doesn't define someone, especially if they've lived here their whole life like this customer has. It's just so unfair! 
And it's not like they're going to harm anyone or break any laws... it's just a personal document! 
What's next? Are we going to be denied services because of our ancestors' country of origin too? That's some crazy logic right there... 
I get it, sanctions regulations and all that, but come on, 20 years ago the person renounced their Russian citizenship, that's like, a lifetime ago 
. And what about dual nationality, doesn't that even matter anymore? 
"Oh, I was born in Russia, can't serve you"? what if someone was born in like, a small island nation that doesn't even exist anymore? 
.
Some UK company thinks they can just cancel a customer's will writing service because of where they were born?! 
The Co-op is so worried about sanctions regulations that they're basically saying "forget your family and assets, we'll take our chances with the law". And what even is this nonsense about proof of renunciation? It's not like being born in Russia is a security risk or anything! 
you're going through this, but I have to say, it's just not right 
. It's not fair to companies either, I mean, they're supposed to be serving their customers, not playing it safe and losing business 
.
... i guess it's all about 'safety' and trying not to get fined or whatever 
... but what about the customers rights?! shouldnt they just be able to update their will without being treated like some kinda pariah? 