Co-op Will-Writing Service Refuses Client Due to Birthplace
A UK resident who was born in Russia has been unfairly denied the Co-operative's will-writing service due to her place of birth, according to a recent complaint.
The individual, AK from London, had previously used the service and was asked to update her will with her partner and daughter as beneficiaries. However, after two months, she received an email stating that her request had been cancelled because she was born in Russia.
AK explained that she moved to the UK as a child and renounced her Russian citizenship in 1999, but still holds dual British and German nationality. Despite this, the Co-operative told her that they would only serve her if she provided proof of her renunciation certificate.
A spokesperson for HM Treasury was asked about the lawfulness of such discrimination, stating that while their regulations do not explicitly ban service providers from refusing clients due to birthplace, it is ultimately up to companies to decide how to comply with the rules and who to do business with.
The Co-operative has argued that receiving "specialist legal advice" has instructed them not to provide advice to anyone born in Russia, regardless of their current citizenship or ties. However, many experts argue that this approach could be seen as discriminatory.
The controversy highlights the complexities surrounding sanctions imposed on individuals connected to the Russian government and its war aims. While AK is not directly affiliated with the sanctioned regime, her birthplace has led to unfair treatment from a financial institution.
Critics argue that such restrictions should be based on individual circumstances rather than place of birth, particularly in cases where citizenship has been renounced or does not reflect current connections.
A UK resident who was born in Russia has been unfairly denied the Co-operative's will-writing service due to her place of birth, according to a recent complaint.
The individual, AK from London, had previously used the service and was asked to update her will with her partner and daughter as beneficiaries. However, after two months, she received an email stating that her request had been cancelled because she was born in Russia.
AK explained that she moved to the UK as a child and renounced her Russian citizenship in 1999, but still holds dual British and German nationality. Despite this, the Co-operative told her that they would only serve her if she provided proof of her renunciation certificate.
A spokesperson for HM Treasury was asked about the lawfulness of such discrimination, stating that while their regulations do not explicitly ban service providers from refusing clients due to birthplace, it is ultimately up to companies to decide how to comply with the rules and who to do business with.
The Co-operative has argued that receiving "specialist legal advice" has instructed them not to provide advice to anyone born in Russia, regardless of their current citizenship or ties. However, many experts argue that this approach could be seen as discriminatory.
The controversy highlights the complexities surrounding sanctions imposed on individuals connected to the Russian government and its war aims. While AK is not directly affiliated with the sanctioned regime, her birthplace has led to unfair treatment from a financial institution.
Critics argue that such restrictions should be based on individual circumstances rather than place of birth, particularly in cases where citizenship has been renounced or does not reflect current connections.
... I get what they're saying about needing to follow the rules and all that, but this is just ridiculous! If AK has moved around so much and holds dual citizenship, shouldn't she be able to use their service like everyone else? It feels like a lot of hassle for no reason. I'm not sure what's more frustrating - the fact that they're refusing to serve her or that it's happening at all 
.
this is crazy! AK gets denied will-writing service just cuz she was born in Russia... like, isn't that just great? 
I mean, come on, if you're living here and holding dual citizenship, shouldn't that be enough? And renouncing her Russian citizenship is a big deal, it's not like she's still loyal to the Motherland or anything! 
I get that sanctions and all that jazz, but to deny someone basic life advice services just cuz of a little birthplace thing? No thanks! 
. They're not even taking into account that Russia is like her second home or something 
. And now I'm wondering if other financial institutions are doing the same thing 
. This is getting out of hand...
especially when it comes to something as important as planning for the future and making sure your loved ones are taken care of.
like, what's next? asking for passport stamps from every country she's ever visited? 
I feel like AK is being totally messed with here! 
But nope, they're stuck on this birthplace thing. 
. I mean, who decides what's fair and unfair anyway? It's just ridiculous that a company like Co-op can turn her down like that because of where she was born. Like, what even is the point of having dual nationality if they're not gonna use it? And two months?! That's ages to be waiting for some basic service. I bet they never thought about how it would affect someone who didn't exactly have a choice over their birthplace 
.
. What if she had no idea she was Russian-born until, like, 5 years ago? Would they still turn her down then too? It's all just so confusing and unjust 
I'm kinda surprised they're doing this 
They should be looking at what's in it for them, right? Like, how's this gonna affect their business if they're being super strict about these kinds of things? 
i mean what about people who were born in usa but moved to canada or australia and still want to make a will? shouldn't they be able to get help too?