Cahoot Current account

sparkymark_3

Hi people
Had a phone call from Cahoot marketing their account (have the credit card), told them not really interested as have Abbey current account which I am happy with. Then asked if they could send me information instead which I agreed to. I then received a letter asking if I could supply some information for the new account I had opened ! Told Cahoot and they said write cancel across the form and return which I did. Then received PIN followed by Debit card and Cheque book in quick sucession.
1. Can they open account without anything in writing from me ?
2. would they do a credit check on me or just go by Abbey account history / other cahoot products ?
3. Have they employed a sales company similar to Utility companies who had lots of complaints about rogue "switching"?
4. Can I complain to banking onbudsman or FSA ?

Tondella

Hi sparkymark

This sort of thing drives me up the wall, especially since it happened to me with Powergen (I gave them my new address for them to send the cheque of outstanding payment to me from my closed account and they switched my energy provider without me knowing!).
If I were you I'd write them a stiff letter, outlining what you have said above, stating that you are very displeased with their actions, demand that they close the account and give you written confirmation and confirm that it has not adversely affected your credit record. The banking ombudsman states that you should first allow cahoot the chance to deal with this problem, then if they have not responded or dealt with it satisfactorarily you may contact the ombudsman. I'd state that you intend to pursue your complaint with the ombudsman if you don't receive sufficient redress in your letter. You could also mention a goodwill payment for your inconvenience. Martin has been doing a bit of that in the make me rich series.
good luck with it
Tondella

Here's the link to the ombudsman's page with some hints on how to complain
http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumer/complaints.htm