Can't get a debit card - help please!

Katy_M_2

Hi All

Am posting this on behalf of my partner so apologies if I don't have all of the precise details to hand.

He went down the course of bankruptcy a few years ago now and should be discharged now.

We got hold of his Experian file a few months back and there a couple of items on there still that could be causing problems (a CCJ that we are in the middle of dealing with - don't think he is liable as it was an ex doing it falsely in his name) and one more creditor that should be removed by December as they were all a long time ago.

Now the problem is that his bank will not give him a debit card. He applied for a bank account as soon as he was discharged - with Nationwide and was accepted. They offered him a cash card account and said it would be upgraded to a debit card in 6 months. Well this was well over 18 months ago and they still won't upgrade the account.

Should he try and get an account elsewhere - are there any banks that are more likely to give him an account with a debit card? Or is this normal and he just has to wait for longer?

We've thought of ways of trying to improve his credit score but without a proper bank account it seems impossible.

Any help/advice would be appreciated as we are at a total loss and have not really been given any helpful information.

Thanks in advance :beer:
Katy xx

skylight

Try elsewhere. The Co-Op cashminder has a debit card and are ex-BR friendly.

There are many other basics, like the Natwest Step and Barclays. Try them too. He can have more than one basic current account if he wanted too and they all add those little green '0's to his credit file (if he maintains them in good order).

Katy_M_2

Thanks skylight.

I'm just worried that if he starts applying for accounts and getting turned down - it's going to make his credit score look bad and he's going to have to wait another 6 months for it to clear up again.

I've read elsewhere on the forums about the Co-op Cashminder one so will look into this.

So does it seem unreasonable that Nationwide won't upgrade to a debit card, or is it more a case of tough luck because of the bankruptcy?

tigerfeet2006

A lot of banks are not upgrading accounts until the BR has dropped off the credit file. Even Co-op won't upgrade to bells and whistles account. Though I have to say their Cashminder account is more than enough for me.

MicheH

I don't think i'll ever upgrade to the fully blown all dancing account. The coop cashminder is more than enough for me (bankrupt 6 weeks) can still buy online and in store with my chip and pin card.

I just don't see the point of paying extra every month for a dreaded overdraft or other 'freebies' they attach to accounts. Just my opinion, I like the Coop Cashminder account and card.

Katy_M_2

Thanks. Haven't had chance to check out the co-op cash minder account yet but will do so after work.

So you can use it instore to pay for things and set up payments and so on - like a debit card?

He's not interested in getting overdraft and current account extras - he just wants a proper payment card as all he can do at the moment with his Nationwide card is draw cash on it

tigerfeet2006

You can open it over the phone.

It has DD's and SO's, an Electron card, telephone and internet banking, if you need to pay money into your account then you can do so at any Post Office.

The only drawback with the Co-op is the internet banking is not upto date and is often several days behind. So he will have to keep an eye on that and Co-op operate a 3 strikes and you are out policy if you go overdrawn.

fermi

The Coop and Barclays basic accounts now have proper VISA debit cards as far as I am aware.

You can also set up DDs, standing orders, internet/phone banking etc..........

What basically don't get is a cheque book or overdraft. Other from that, there is no real difference than a normal current account.

tigerfeet2006

Fermi although the Co-op card now says Debit a lot of us still can't shop at Tesco's online and it is still coming up as an Electron at most places. It is being issued with the 4508 number. So untill that has been resolved I feel it is still an Electron by another name.

Katy_M_2

Thanks everyone :beer:

Will give boyf all these details later. I think he feels a bit deflated by it all and that it's not worth trying anywhere else because Nationwide have not done anything to help him, and I don't know anything about bankruptcy so can't offer him any advice.

Will get him to research the Co-op and Barclays basic accounts this evening and hope that it gives him some inspiration.

fermi

tigerfeet2006 wrote: »

Fermi although the Co-op card now says Debit a lot of us still can't shop at Tesco's online and it is still coming up as an Electron at most places. It is being issued with the 4508 number. So untill that has been resolved I feel it is still an Electron by another name.

Useless change then.

Apparently VISA are trying to get that sorted according to one website, so that they won't get flagged any more as an electron.

Barclays "connect" is OK though.