And if you want to cause some trouble for Monzo or anyone else that has gotten under your skin, then this is how it is done:
You can make a valid request for an SAR over the telephone. A verbal request is perfectly acceptable. Very few people seem to realise this – and in particular bank staff don't. Their staff development such as it is has been to advise customers to make request in writing or to fill out particular forms et cetera blah blah blah.
Wait for all this hassle to die down.
Having read our customer services guide so that you record the conversation
Telephone Monzo.
Satisfy all their ID checks so that they are then prepared to talk to you about your account. Maybe even make some transfer or some request over the telephone so that it is beyond doubt.
Make a verbal SAR request.
Be prepared for a refusal by the customer service agent to accept the request. Explain to them gently that they are wrong and that they should seek advice from a manager who hopefully will understand that SAR requests may be made verbally over the phone
If there is any question of your identity, point out that you have satisfied ID checks to the point where they are prepared to talk to you about your personal banking business and so therefore they must be satisfied that you are who you say you are.
If the SAR is not satisfied – you can then start bringing legal actions if you feel that you have the energy for it.
If they come back and say that you didn't complete the formalities – then you are home and dry – because no formalities are needed.
If they come back and say that although they accept that you can make a verbal SAR, you had not provided sufficient evidence of your identity – then I'm sure that you realise by now that your position is that they were prepared to discuss your account. There are objections to satisfying your SAR are clearly simply an attempt to place obstructions in your way and to stall the process.
And of course because you have read our customer services guide, all of this conversation has been fully recorded – hasn't it?
But surely there must be more interesting things to do while we are enjoying some nice weather.