Alternatives to a Current Account

B1980

Hello all,

I just wanted to check in to see if anyone can provide me with some info on my latest problem.

I am having trouble with Halifax and their new and improved charges... improved for who I ask?
Certainly not me.

My account with Halifax is no longer a current account as they decided long ago that I don't earn enough money to warrant such luxury, instead they changed my account to a basic account.
However, as I was already £100 overdrawn at this point they didn't withdraw my overdraft... this left me in the unusual position of having a basic account with an overdraft facility.
Since these new and improved charges were introduced, this overdraft facility has gone from costing 90p a month on average, to £26 per month.

As I am now currently not working and claiming jobseekers allowance, I live in this overdraft and have no means of escape.

Halifax have started taking this money from my account, and they have now taken me over my agreed £100 limit... thus I now am being charged £5 per day as I understand... so the next amount taken from my account is likely to be £130... which is more than half of my current monthly income.

Clearly this is not doing me any good, both financially or otherwise, and I need a solution fast.
I have tried talking to Halifax and they couldn't be less interested, they used the opportunity to try and sell me a paid chargeless account, which would admittedly be cheaper... but I am not about to start paying Halifax after what they are doing.

So, I would like to know if there are any realistic alternatives to the banks for an account that I can use for DD/Standing order type facilities... maybe a debit card.

Does the Post Office offer this (If not, why not?!?!), I am gonna go check this out now.

What would you do in this situation?
Any answers that involve me still being a HBOS customer any longer than I can help it are not viable to me, I will literally pay someone to get me away from these vultures.

Thanks in advance. And sorry for bringing the whole Halifax charges thing up again, I'm sure people are bored of it now, so double thanks for listening to me! :T

B.

glider3560

Any solution is going to involve paying off the Halifax overdraft and charges.

There are a few accounts out there which accept standing orders/direct debits which aren't current accounts. Yorkshire Building Society have an account called Cash Transactor. It comes with a cash card and accepts direct debits/standing orders. http://www.ybs.co.uk/savings/easy_access/cash_transactor.html

B1980

Any solution is going to involve paying off the Halifax overdraft and charges.

Thanks for your quick reply, and yes I'm aware that I'm not getting away with the money I owe them, hence the reason I wish to address this now... I was going to leave it until I found a new job as I could just pay them off and open an account elsewhere... but my jobsearch is moving frustratingly slowly and Halifax are now costing me exponentially more than I can afford, I fear I will be in real trouble by the time I'm back in employment.

I'm not the type to demand special treatment, but you would think an organisation as large as HBOS would allow a bit of leeway at least to the unemployed... their bank account is a service I use minimally, can't find a way of getting rid of it and it stands a chance of causing real hardship in my life... for example, I now have to have my giro issued by hand because my account will just swallow it up come next month.

You would at least think they would suspend charges until I am back on my feet, even if it's only to retain my custom.

I'll stop ranting now! . My primary concern is finding an alternative, as I mentioned earlier my Halifax account is not useable and I need a way of paying bills, and something a doley like myself will qualify for (my hopes aren't sky high!)
I'm just really amazed by their complete ignorance though and it turned into an anti Halifax piece! Oops... I suppose I should have seen it coming, but still I think my dismay is warranted.

More suggestions most welcome!