Mum-of-three left with £9 to look after family for a week after bank suddenly froze her account

A mum-of-three says she has been left with less than £10 to live on for the next week after her banking account was frozen without warning.

Lisa Cullen, 41, from Northenden, said she discovered her Suits Me account was frozen on Sunday (July 26) after her debit card was declined. She said she was given no notice and has since tried to get an explanation.

The account, which had over £120 in it when it was frozen, was used by Lisa to buy essentials for the family. Without that money, Lisa says she now has £9 to her name until next week. Her children, aged 15, 13 and 9, have also just broken up for the school holidays.

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“I went to the shops on Sunday with my daughter and my card was declined,” Lisa told the M.E.N. “I knew there was money in there, so I tried calling the bank and couldn’t get anywhere with them.”

Suits Me describes itself as a 'hassle-free alternative to traditional banking' and provides customers with an e-money account and a contactless debit card. Lisa said she has been given no reason why her account has been frozen, and said she has been told the issue is with Suits Me’s Compliance Team to investigate.

In the meantime, Lisa claims she has been told she will have to wait up to 60 days to gain access to her money.

“My DWP payments were paid into there,” Lisa explained. “They said they’d sent me an email to say my account had been frozen but I’ve had nothing and no notice that it was going to happen. They’re just holding onto my money and I can’t access it.

“I’ve explained to them that I have three children and I’ve got no money to feed them. I must have emailed them around 40 times but