Halifax ISA Fixed Saver woes

jessicajay

Well, like all of us, I am scrambling around trying to find a fixed ISA account as my current interest rate is around 4% with Intelligent Finance. After spending a few weeks looking around this forum, I decided the Halifax ISA fixed saver suited my needs. The interest rate is 5.2% fixed for a year and you can transfer in. I applied for Birmingham Midshires and requested a form from their website, but they never arrived.

So I called Halifax last weekend and set up the account. I was told I would be sent some forms that I would need to sign and send back. After nearly a week, I received them this morning and there were countless errors on the form. I called Halifax and explained that I didn't want to have to wait another week for new forms to be sent. They told me I could go into a branch to get a new form - of course, after a visit at lunch time, my local branch doesn't stock this form!

I called Halifax this evening to request the forms by post again because the branch didn't stock them and I got through to a lady who asked me to go through security questions. Bizzarely, she asked if I had another account with Halifax and when I said no, she told me I couldn't go through security because her call centre was based in Liverpool and they are not allowed to ask personal questions. I laughed at first, but then she told me I would have to call the number again and hope that I got through to a call centre where the reps could ask me personal questions such as birth date etc. I was fuming as I'd already waited 15 mins to get through. So, like a lemon, I called back again, but gave up after 10 mins of waiting.

They agreed 5.2% over the phone, but the leaflet that was sent in the post quoted 2.7% for Halifax ISA fixed saving accounts. I queried this earlier today, saying that I had been quoted 5.2% - I was told to 'take their word for it as 5.2% is what is shown on their screen.

I am therefore back to square one. I have incorrect forms, which I cannot alter and send back so my only option is to keep phoning the number, hope I get through to a call centre that can answer my questions and wait for some new forms.

Anyone else had problems? Can anyone suggest a fixed rate ISA which you can transfer around £16k to without weeks of phone calls and waiting?

Frustrated and annoyed.

Jessica

Baldur

Unfortunately, there appear to be few FRISAs still available after the recent BoE base rate cuts, according to a search on Moneyfacts.

M&S are offering an FRISA at 5%, which accepts transfers, see http://www6.marksandspencer.com/pages/default.asp?PageId=FRS&Product=IS

justintrick

Yes, I have had the same problem. I applied for an ISA at Halifax and after waiting for the forms, every time I call them, they tell me they can't get me past security because I don't have another account with them and they don't ask personal details at the particular call centre I've come through to.

They keep telling me I need to visit a branch with two forms of ID, even though I've been able to get through security many times before. Very strange indeed. Every time I ask what the problem is, all I keep getting is 'I'm sorry, but you have to visit a branch'. They won't even answer my questions...

My nearest Halifax is miles away!

Not worth wasting your time with them - I'm going to look at the M&S option.

Lem

If you applied for the ISA with Birmingham Midshires but never received the forms you could try calling them. I have read that many others have done this and they have re-sent the forms. If they have your details on their system then they should honour the rate at the time you requested the forms. Hope this helps.