Abbey - A complaint

Hi, I had a similar experience in November. I set up a high interest savings a/c for kids in Halifax but it had to have Standing Order set up from my Abbey current a/c. First I knew that it hadn't been successful was when Halifax closed a/c because of no payment received.

I made an appt to see customer advisor in Abbey who explained their system is a shambles at the moment and advised me to put in official complaint - following instructions on their letter.

Anyway, to cut a long story short - with no hassle at all - I received £140 compensation (incl £60 loss of interest on kids a/c)

I thought this was a billy bonus!:rotfl:

Don't be afraid to complain - it didn't take much time at all.

Just pick up a Complaints leaflet and follow the blurb ... it really is that simple.

Gotta be worth a try!:o

Abbey, part of Santander, have to be the most incompetent organisation on the planet. I've had large sums in savings accounts and had nothing but hassle with them. At one point they froze one of my accounts out of the blue claiming they hadn't had ID documents. In reality, I already had two other accounts with them and despite this was asked for the same ID for the third account. It was sent and acknowledged and returned. I then found the account with a few hundred thousand in it had been frozen "awaiting ID" that they'd already had several weeks before.

Latest was two weeks ago when following a sackload of wrong information too involved to go into I paid for a CHAPS transfer. Went in at 11 a.m., took the branch a whole hour to arrange it despite having an appointment then found the next day they hadn't done it. Jeeze, in Natwest it takes 5 minutes and they do it without fail.

Decided to close main account with the intention of closing them all and phoned them. The number given for closures on the website patched me to Delhi who didn't know anything about closures.

Phoned another number. Did the security checks and fine they'd close the account. Could they put the interest in one of the remaining accounts (so I could BACS it out) instead of sending a large cheque in the post? Yes, but for some unexplained reason I would have to phone on Monday if I wanted it paid into another Abbey account which also in my sole name.

Phoned Monday and a character in Belfast now wanted a password. Which password, not my web login password? How come they didn't need it on Saturday? I could quote every transaction ever made, all three of my cashcard numbers and cashcard PIN numbers (that I never wanted), my web login passwords, login code and login PIN, my first school and my mother's maiden name, my address, date of birth and NI number, all of which they had on file.

No, now according to Master Stuart I could move hundreds of thousands out of the account as I had a few days before but couldn't close the account and get the interest until I obtained a new password by writing to them. Could I speak to a manager? No said Stuart, there wasn't one available.

Called the same number again and got "Dean". Could I close my account please and get rid of these clowns. Yes, according to Dean he will do it for me and it will take 7-10 days. I hope he's right but not counting on it without further fun and games. I'll certainly be checking their interest calculations.

Abbey is the absolute pits bar none. I've got a 3" folder full of correspondence sorting out their c*ck-ups. Unless you want nothing but aggro keep well away and use a proper bank or BS with some level of competence.