Why you might not be able to change money at the Post Office (2024)

When you're out and about in town and need to change a note for some change for the car park you might want to think twice before heading to your local Post Office to do so.

A shopper from Stroud tweeted his disbelief when a post office in Worcestershire refused to change a £10 note for coins, saying that their reasoning was 'nonsense'.

He wrote: "I called into Post Office today and asked if they could change a £10 note for coins. They refused saying they couldn't change money because it might be money laundering. Have you ever heard such nonsense?"

But the Post Office HQ responded saying that the branch were correct.

They said: "Sorry, you feel that way, but the branch is correct. It's not something we offer to help prevent Money Laundering. The only exception is our Change-Giving service which is set up through a Business Bank Account - Stephen."

It does seem however that there is always an exception to the rule, as another person from Gloucestershire said: "If you were trying to get change for £50 notes then the Post Office could reasonably argue that you could be trying to process hot money. But a tenner?! That's silly.

"My bank in Glos changed a £20 into pound coins recently without batting an eyelid. But then they'd seen my ID."

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We contacted the Post Office to ask to clear up the confusion about the rules on changing cash and they said that it was in fact down to the individual branch's discretion.

A Post Office spokesperson, said: "Post Officesare not required to change notes for coins to customers, however, branches can do so at their own discretion.

"A branch may be reluctant to provide change as they want to ensure they have enough for their own tills. It is also a measure to help prevent money laundering.

Business customers can use our Change Giving service at some of our branches.”

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Why you might not be able to change money at the Post Office (2024)
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