Alliance & Leicester Recommend a Friend is a SCAM

SkinnyB_2

Has anyone else been in the same situation as me? I was referred by a friend to open a current A&L account, and then signed up for the switching service with A&L to supposedly make the smooth transaction from my previous bank. This was in November!!

I have had to make several phone calls since, and was told there was a backlog with the switching service and this had been noted on my file as I was concerned my account wasn't going to be funded within the 8 weeks to receive the £50 incentive.

Finally, and it's now February!!, my standing orders and direct debits have been switched to my new A&L account and my wages will go in on the first of March. I am now being told by the Accounts Opening department I won't be receiving my £50 nor the friend that referred me as my account wasn't funded within 8 weeks

-HOW UNFAIR!! as it's through no fault of my own. What a scam, convince people to move to your bank with a money incentive, then spend so long opening their account you don't have to give it to them?

sujman

I opened my A&L account around the same time as you but things moved a lot quicker. As I had some savings, I was able to fund my A&L account without having to wait for my salary transfer to take place.

Maybe you could have transfered money to the A&L account but then transfered it straight back to your opriginal account, hile you wairf for DD's, SO's to be transfered correctly.

Write them a letter, outlining your experince and hopefully they'll give you your £50 as a good will gesture.

grumbler

I think writing a letter of complaint is a good idea. However I wouldn't demand 2x£50 as 'a good will gesture'. A&L insist in using their service to get the bonuses. Clearly it is their fault.

Complaints

P.S. The infrormation about 'insist' is wrong (see my post below). However, I think you still have strong grounds to complain. And use Recorded mail.

adm_4

Is there any switching bank account requirement to getting the £50? Or do you just need to transfer £500 / month?

grumbler

adm wrote:

Is there any switching bank account requirement to getting the £50? Or do you just need to transfer £500 / month?

Oops ...:o . It is Lloyds TSB who insist in switching salary and using their switching service. Sorry for posting wrong information ...

jasongim

dear friends

I am sorry to tell you that i received these £50 and my friends too. I opend my acc last couple of months. Once opened I only funded £500 and within 8 weeks I get this money..

This is method i do..

Once oped I cash in, then i have this overdraft of £500 which make a total of £ 1000.

after 2 week i tranfer £250 into the saving acc again after 2 week i tranfer into saving acc. continue these method.until next month which i should fund another £500 I just trnfer £500 from the saving acc into my premier current acc.

within 8 week i got this £50..

SkinnyB_2

I would have funded the A&L current account with £500 a month myself if A&L hadn't recommended that I use their switching service. When I called them because they were taking so long they assured me it was noted on file it was their fault there was a delay in funding my account. If I'd have been told not to rely on their switching service to get my account funded within the 8 week deadline I would have done so, instead it was recommended to me as the simplest, smoothest and most convenient way of getting my account up and running!

bertram

I have had difficulty with Alliance and Leicester Business Account. You try to get online, I have been trying for 3 months.

Silver_Lilly

i am still really new at this and have not looked at switching current accounts .We thought to get the free money we would open one for me and one for my husband and just transfer in and out the £500 on the same day each month for a few months ands then not use the account .how long does it have to be open for?Is there a penalty to close it?as we would not actually switch current accounts.
does anyone think this would work?

QuidProQuo

birch wrote:

i am still really new at this and have not looked at switching current accounts .We thought to get the free money we would open one for me and one for my husband and just transfer in and out the £500 on the same day each month for a few months ands then not use the account .how long does it have to be open for?Is there a penalty to close it?as we would not actually switch current accounts.
does anyone think this would work?

That would work, you don't even have to do it for a few months, as follows:

1. Apply for account (just start with one account in your name)
2. You will receive documents in post to sign & return (make sure you opt not to switch your direct debits).
3. Within a few days you should receive a cheque book and a card.
4. Pay £500 into the account (I find electronic transfer is easiest).
5. Post the refer a friend form (if you know somebody who can refer you).

Voila, in two weeks you and the person who referred you both receive a £50 credit on your accounts, if not ring them and ask them why it hasn't been credited (I had to do this on one occasion and they credited the £50 the same day).

You may now withdraw all the funds or leave it in to earn 5% interest.

Repeat this process this time you refer your husband and you both get £50.

sujman

birch, get a referral some someone else when you open your account, so that you get £50. Then refer your hubby so that you both then get £50 each, £150 in total!! I think that would work...