First Direct Application - Strange Request

Isonstine

Long time lurker, seldom poster!

I have recently applied for a First Direct current account and thought I would give them a call today to see what was happening, seeing as I knew I wouldn't have to go through a load of menus or risk speaking to the "wrong" department.

Anyway, they confirmed the application was in progress but before they could proceed they would need to complete a "call back". They said they had run my home phone number I provided on the application through the system with Directory Enquiries and it didn't provide anything. Well it wouldn't because I'm ex-directory. Unfortunately I had to then go to work so couldn't wait for them to call me back but the very helpful advisor said I could do it at work.

So I phoned them from work (I work in a call centre myself) and spoke to someone else in the account opening department and he confirmed he would have to do a call back where he would look up the name of the company I worked for and call me on the number there. I had to wait a while as he got lost in our menu system (how ironic!) and was then asked to be put through to me. Once he spoke to me, he confirmed my address and date of birth again and said all was fine and a welcome pack was on its way.

Has anyone come across this before? Would they have attempted to contact me as part of this process or have I only found out because they rang me?

Not too much of a problem, re-assuring actually but never came across before and they didn't explain any more about it apart from it was "standard account opening procedure".

stclair

I had a very similar situation last year.

I applied for a first direct account im already a HSBC customer.

They called my employer to confirm how long I worked there and then asked to be put through to me.

They started asking about my landline number given on my application saying they couldnt find me etc.

However they wouldnt have done as the phone line was in my moms name (different surname).

They then started asking me whether I was having my salary paid into my new account. I said no as I worked for a bank and we have to have our salary paid into a RBS Group bank account.

I was actually that hacked off with the situation I told them to forget it :mad:

Isonstine

Interestingly I am also an HSBC customer which I found a little odd as I would have thought that would bypass the majority of usual new customer checks. I'm also on the electoral roll.

They didn't mess me about or give me the third degree - if they did then I probably would have taken the same attitude as you.

Just bothered me that they got my application form last week and it felt like I had to chase them to complete this step as I would have thought they would have tried to contact me before.

stclair

I though it would be a breeze opening a first direct account being an HSBC customer.

When I was speaking to the woman on the phone she proper grilled me, I thought i was trial for murder lol

Yeah its abit naff you had to chase them but you know what banks are like they wont do anything quickly without a push and shove..

Well done anyway for getting your new account ;-)

neil9313

stclair wrote: »

I had a very similar situation last year.

I applied for a first direct account im already a HSBC customer.

They called my employer to confirm how long I worked there and then asked to be put through to me.

They started asking about my landline number given on my application saying they couldnt find me etc.

However they wouldnt have done as the phone line was in my moms name (different surname).

They then started asking me whether I was having my salary paid into my new account. I said no as I worked for a bank and we have to have our salary paid into a RBS Group bank account.

I was actually that hacked off with the situation I told them to forget it :mad:

And you have just kissed good bye to £100

stclair

I might make another application and hopefully this one wont be so painful ;-)

stephane_2

Never had that issue when opened my account over a year ago. Applied online got papers & card very promptly

OMAR

Exact same happened to me....wanted to call me at work to personally speak to me on the works number registered via BT

heloid

I've had to be called back on a landline before but that's only because I failed a security question. No landline at home so I diverted my work number to my cellphone heh.

Isonstine

As long as I've not been the only one - was worried they may have thought I was a little suspect. The guy on the phone said the account would be opened overnight so that was yesterday (Tuesday) so does anyone have any ideas of when I would start receiving some more details?