A New Age (eh?)

Today I contacted a Building Society which I opened an ISA account with £3000 some 8 years ago.
The company had been taken over by a Spanish Bank (Santander) and my enquiry was about moving my ISA over to a more profitiable account in their product line.

I was told that my present account was receiving 0.1% per annum interest rate and that the account was dormant, since there had been no recent activity and no further transactions could be done.

When I pointed out that no recent transactions had been done was because it was a savings account and I didn't require any money out or wanted to put any more in.... (I do everyday stuff like everybody else, on a current or credit card account)...so what's the problem?

Also that it is not possible under law to add money to an old ISA, since they are renewed on a year by year basis...so what are they getting at?

After an hour of listening to !!!!!!!! and getting passed from person to person who asked for the same details but could do nothing"since there had been no recent activity" and (costing 10p per minute), I finally lost it and told them I just wanted to close the account and a cheque sent to me at my registered address.

I was told this was not possible either...

I would have to come in person to their office (which would mean losing half a day's work since it is a distance away), with proof of my identity...either a current passport or new-style photo driving licence.

When I said that I did not have a current passport (since I don't travel these days), nor a photo driving license, but just the old non-photo original one I got decades ago....they said that in that case the account would have to remain dormant...since I could be "anybody".

When I pointed out that my phone number (which they saw on their screen) was the same one I had registered with and was requesting a cheque in the same name sent to the same address the original account was opened with...they maintained that it was not possible "for security reasons".

When I asked if I could email or fax any documents they requested, they said that this could not be done and I would have to appear in person.

When I explained that I actually opened the account by post, so nobody had ever seen me in person at their office, they said sorry but those are the rules.

When I explained again that I do not have photo ID, and it is not a requirement in law to have a passport or driving licence in the UK, I was told to bring in a Utility Bill...although they could not guarantee this would be sufficient, since they need a Passport or Photo Driving Licence.

So I asked if I had to give my neighbour my account documentation plus a utility bill, then he would be able to withdraw all the money in cash, but they would refuse to send a cheque in the name of the registered account holder at the registered address?

They said, yes..possibly...but that they had "security cameras" in the building and that they were doing it "for my own protection" and I should be commending them on their vigilance...

So I finally asked that if I had to take a half-day off work to bring in some documentation, would it be acceptable?

I was told that they could not guarantee that.

So what if they were not happy with Utility Bills, Birth Certficate, NI number card, Government/Council letters?

Then the account would remain dormant at 0.1% interest and I would have no access to it, I was told.

Well...no wonder the Banks are making record profits.
It doesn't take a genius to borrow money at 0.1%-0.5% and lend it out at 7%

I will go in to see them....and will speak my business in the loudest voice I have so everyone can hear...and refuse to leave the building until I leave with the dough or they get Security....

Count on it.

SANTANDER BANK SUCKS!