Not even Co-op will help me

Reenie1978

I posted a thread a little while ago asking for advice because I couldn't get a bank account. General consencus was that the Co-op would probably be able to help me since they deal with people on low incomes/no credit etc. I went to them to ask to open a basic cash account and was told that providing the information I gave them was correct, I shouldn't have a problem. They've just turned me down saying there's a discrepency with my credit history and that I need to send them a copy of my credit file so they can look into it. I'll do this since I don't have a choice, but does anyone else have any ideas? My situation is so crazy - I'm on a really decent wage and my banking history for the past year is spot on where I've been paying off debts etc. The reason I'm in this mess now is that I was paid my wages late on 3 occasions these past few months and the basic cash account with HSBC I had would not allow it and hence closed my account. I'm at my wits end...

OliveOyl_2

Does the credit report show the recent problems that you've had?

Would your employer - who paid you late - write a letter explaining that is what happened?

Good luck, and keep on trying, it must be so difficult to operate without a bank account in this day and age.

Reenie1978

yes my credit report shows everything. apparently once i've been declined from the bank there's nothing else you can do so a letter from my employer won't help. i'm literally operating using a Cashplus card at the moment which is like a credit card but using no credit, you can upload money on to it via a bank account or at various retail points/post offices. it looks like i'll have to stick with that for the timebeing which is a pain because transactions take so long with it.

philnicandamy

If its any help i've known this happen before on the bankruptcy board....people have appealed against the co-op's decisions and have after being firstly declined then been given a cash card account.....the only thing I can see thats scared them off is if you have a CIFAS marker? (fraud) as the cash card account isn't credit checked..just ID checked
i'd do as they ask & also put a complaint & appeal in writing & send it to them

Co-op Personal Banking
PO Box 200
Delf House
Southway
Skelmersdale
WN8 6GH

Jaynee123

That really strange are you sure it was a co-op cashminder account? I understood that they did no checks bar identity and address! They appear to be more than happy to take a bankrupts cash! Perhaps you actually applied for the next account up in which case you appear to be scuppered! The only thing is cashplus cards do a scheme to improve your credit ratings perhaps you could look into this?

Jaynee 123

philnicandamy

One thing as well...if you do appeal & its turned down again have you tried Barclays? they do a basic cash card account as well....

Reenie1978

i'm going to get my updated credit report and appeal because there's absolutely no fraud/identity issue and therefore i shouldn't have been declined. thanks for the suggestions

angeldiva

Jaynee123 wrote: »

That really strange are you sure it was a co-op cashminder account? Jaynee 123

Thats what I was thinking, check it was a CashMinder account, I didnt even think they did a credit check for that all all!

philnicandamy

angeldiva wrote: »

Thats what I was thinking, check it was a CashMinder account, I didnt even think they did a credit check for that all all!

it is weird....they use credit files for ID check NOT credit check with the basic account.....

only thing I can think as I said was a fraud issue? electoral role? who knows why they've refused..lets hope the OP gets some answers soon

GeorgeUK

I saw a post recently and the matter was resolved when they went to talk to the manager. It seems the "sales person" had not done as requested and tried to get the best card for the customer - which included a credit check instead of processing their specific request for a cashminder account. Once the manager looked into it, they apologised and set up the account. Probably worth checking that they actually did as requested as already advised.