Santander Zero - Worst Customer Service

dan-_3

As this card appears to offer a good deal, I thought I should warn people of their appalling customer service.

I applied for the card on the basis that it would be linked to my alliance and leicester current account, and all the literature was branded with A&L logos. However, I was fooled. This card has no affilliation with Alliance and Leicester, other than the marketing department.

After using the card for a few small purchases, it was refused when I tried to make a 'suspicious' online purchase from well respected retailer CCL computers. A&L branch could not help and sent me to Abbey, Abbey branch could not help and told me to phone Santander. Since then, despite numerous phonecalls to various departments, the card cannot be used. I could go into more detail, but I woudl be ranting, so I'll stop now.

One other thing - If you want to speak to someone in the UK, not Bangalore, choose the option for 'Lost and Stolen'.

vansboy

I mentioned previously to NOT consider opening their 'free business banking' account.

Lots hassles from them too long to list.

But I DO maintain an account with them- balance 38p. Just so it 'costs' them to have me as a customer.

VB

catieeb06

Try asking if there is a "sticky referall" on the card.

And ask to speak to Geoban.

dan-_3

After complaining to both Santander (for being useless) and Alliance and Leicester (for tricking me into getting a useless card), I've received an offer of £30 compensation which I'm inclined to accept because it was more of an annoyance than an inconvenience.

I finally found somebody helpful in my local Abbey branch that sorted out most of the problems. They had managed to link up my current personal details with a Bradford and Bingley account that I opened when I was still at school and that I closed years ago. Somehow, the older record took precedence and hence they started calling my parents home number to say that there was a 'fraudulent' transaction on my card.

Surely there is a data protection issue here. If I close the account, shouldn't they delete my details from their systems?