Help - new basic account with creditor

oksanauk

Hi Guys,

Wonder if anyone can help me here. I went bankrupt almost a week ago. I can't say I am feeling any better for it, - stressed to the point of despair! I now need to find a basic bank account asap, but the problem is I had so many creditors that they include places like Coop and Barclays and Nationwide - the 3 banks that are being recommended by so many.

I haven't had an appointment set up with my OR yet, but called him yesterday and asked if I could try and open a basic account now and could I try with Coop although I owe them money on credit card. He said I can try, but didn't sound all that certain if they will entertain the idea or not take the money out when I start using it. I called Coop and clearly said I went bankrupt and need a basic account now, although I owed them money on credit card. The guy I spoke to didn't see it as problem and processed my application. Now I am waiting for the outcome and wonder what will happen. I also had a call from Coop credit card collections this morning and told them I went bankrupt. A bit surprised she didn't know, as I clearly said yesterday to the guy processing my basic account application and even asked him to make sure he makes a note about it.

Now, have I done something wrong here? I beleive I am allowed to apply for basic accounts for as long as I tell them that I am bankrupt (which I did). Should Coop give me a basic account, - will they start taking money out of it because I had a credit card with them?

Where do I stand here, - have I done something wrong? Or am I worrying too much again?...Please help!!! I keep hearing you must not apply for a basic account with someone you owe money too - is that because you are not allowed or is that just not advisable for some reason?

Anyone with expereinces on this?..

philnicandamy

well I cant see you doing anything wrong?..you need to tell them your BR because they would presume your applying for standard account otherwise which you'd fail on a credit check!...Barclays were one of my biggest creditors & they offered me a basic account.....the co-op used to be the same but members here recently reported being turned down for an account if the co-op had been a creditor in the past although this has not been confirmed as yet by the co-op....different departments deal with credit card services in the co-op as barclays did as well....they shouldnt take cash from your basic account if they decide to set one up for you as the debt would be written off with your bankruptcy & if they tried this would be against the T&C's of your bankruptcy..if this did happen you would need to contact your official receiver & tell them

LilyBart

Phil is right. They cannot take money from your current account to pay a debt that is included in your bankruptcy. It's highly unlikely that the person you spoke to about opening the cashminder account will have notified the department that was managing the credit card. They're probably in different cities. You should hear the result of your application within a couple of days. If it doesn't go through, then apply to Barclays etc, but it is likely that it will go through. Don't panic before you know for certain that it's time to panic, if you see what I mean.
best
Lily

oksanauk

Ah ... thank you Guys so much! I do worry and panic a lot... Was going to ask OR again, but don't want to embarass myself by asking the same thing over again. . So why some places advise to open a basic account with a bank you don't owe money to? Is there a reason for it? Surely if they can't take the money from you account by law after you've been declared BR, - it shouldn't matter if you have a basic account with one of your creditors? .. What's your views on this? I had a credit card with Coop, but no other account...

Oh panic station again - just got a huge envelop through from OR. Looks like its going to be a telephone interview for me...Problem is, - don't know when as the date and time errored on the letter. Will call them later. But I have to return the bits by 1st Dec. . So I wonder when will I speak to them... I was so so hoping for a face to face one...On the phone is more nervous. Anyonme had a telephone interview here guys?...
I've also noticed they want pay slips form the last 3 months, unless you are unemployed. I am unemployed now and was on the date in court. I have been paid till 16th Nov and have told them I am due 2 weeks wages + holidays due. Do I still have to send my pay slips to them for the last 3 months or is it no longer applicable to me as I am unemployed now?

oksanauk

philnicandamy wrote: »

well I cant see you doing anything wrong?..you need to tell them your BR because they would presume your applying for standard account otherwise which you'd fail on a credit check!...

Oh, I did tell Coop I went BR last week, and he was saying to me it doesn't matter as this type of account was specifically made for people like me. I did insist he made a note on my application to say I am BR. He did say that they will run credit checks, but as for that it will look like application for current account. I said I need a basic account and do not want overdraft or chequebook as not allowed. He said to me not to worry, it will only show on credit check report as application for current, - in actual fact I will not be given current account. Hmmm, had a look at my Experian report today and indeed it says current account check. But again, I did apply for basic accounts recently and on the report it still said current account check, yet I only been offered basic account in the end.

Should I check with them again to make sure they don't start opening current account for me? Don't want to get into trouble at this stage, and especially due to no fault of my own....

LilyBart

It may be a good idea just to double check the Co-Op have put your application through for a Cashminder account and no other type of account. It could be that Experian have no method of distinguishing between basic, current, gold with knobs on, platinum playboy penthouse owner accounts etc on their website. As I understand it, the only check the Co-Op have to do for the basic account is identity, ie electoral roll, passport, utility bills etc, and to check you haven't done fraud or money-lending. Even so, if it will give you peace of mind to call them, do. Regarding the paperwork for the OR, just put together what is an accurate reflection of the last three months before BR date: payslips, any communication about benefits etc. You can explain it all when you speak to them. Most OR interviews are conducted by telephone. There are certain advantages to it not being face to face: they will never know about any nervous habits you might have (nail-biting, scratching, nose-picking), and you can build up just as good a rapport over the phone, without making subconcious judgements about a person's appearance. Just be aware that there will be long silences while they make notes. Please don't worry. It's not the horrible experience you fear it will be.
Lily

oksanauk

Thank you, Lily. . I gues I am nervous about tel invw cause I have an accent (not a strong one though). But i have spoke to this guy a couple of times now with my general queries:-) In fact just now to confirm the date and time of my interview. He seems to have warmed up to me now:-) I must admit, I would prefer face to face, as on the phone I get more nervous than face to face, but it is not my decision to make...

As to pay slips, yes I have no problem there, in fact I guess it will show that I was earning good money when I had a job!:-) Only problem is, my last pay slip is not here yet, and I doubt I will see it before the end of the week. . yet have to make sure the docs are to reach them by Monday. . I have nothing to hide in my last pay slip, apart from maybe I will get a bit more money than I bargained for if they pay up my bonus for which I have asked, but had no written confirmation of that it will be paid. . So will have to wait and see I guess and then honestly tell OR exactly what I've been paid in my last pay. He already asked me what wham I going to spend this money on, I said to pay towards the food shopping and bills from last month. Which is exactly what it's going to be. Me and my boyfriend pay for things over 3-4 weeks, then split the cost in half and figure round who ows who and how much.

Oh, another worry I have, - on my expenditure CAB was helping me fill in the form and put down my JSA plus partners contributions to cover the rest (although did make a note to say While I am on JSA). I have to fill in another one of those for OR now and wondered f I should put a true figure my boyfriend would normally contribute (half for the rent, bills etc) and make a note to say he will be covering the rest while I am on JSA?

Also, there are a few expenditures I didn't even mention, like hairdressing etc. Am I allowed to slightly differ to the original form I have submited to court? Not that it will make much difference right now, as I am nmot working and boyfriend will be covering it all. But thinking, shoul;d I get a job, - I will have to do another one of those and of course the contribution from partner will be not what it is now. He is only helping me out for now....

Any thoughts?

fiveyearplan

Coop used to allow BRs who owed them money to open basic account but they have been a bit stricter lately. If they do allow you an account there is no way they can take any money out of your account for old debts that don't belong to you.

It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that coop cc didn't know - internal departments do not talk to each other.

Barclays may offer you a bank account. Its worth a try.

oksanauk

thank you fiveyearplan! and thank you all guys!:-)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

fiveyearplan

I had a face to face interview and then they sent me some forms to fill in and send back. One of these forms was I&E and I did alter it to the one on BR forms. On the BR forms I left a lot of stuff out as there didn't seem to be room to fill it all in. I detailed most things on the new form and never heard a word since.

I suppose i should now tell them my mortgage has just gone up by nearly £600 per month!

finito

I owed the Co-op almost 15k and they gave me a Cashminder account with no problem whatsoever.