Anyone had the First Direct threatening letter?

homersimpson_3

my friend received letter from first direct bascially saying she had not used account for some time and if she doesn't "transfer (her) main banking" to them and credit account within 30 days they will close it. she opened account and has put money into it but not in the last few months. the whole tone of the letter is threatening.

adm_4

My wife did. She doesn't use the account at all and so will be happy for them to close it. I she had a bit of money in the account I guess she might be cross if they closed it...

Turtle

The British Bankers Association states that all banks have to treat dormant accounts differently to active accounts. This is in attempt to prevent fraud. If you moved house for example and the account was not your main account its not unreasonable to think you wouldn't necessarily remember to change your details with them. You wouldn't want them to be sending debit cards, statements etc to a house where you didn't live. If the account is closed the money will be held until the person claims it (although details are only retained after closure under data protection for 6 years so you'd probably have to claim your cash before that time was up!). Dormancy campaigns are usually run once a year.

Bennifred

Yes, I received the letter today, although to be honest I didn't take it as threatening. In fact they did me a favour, as it prompted me to go and withdraw the balance, which of course included what they paid me to open it in the first place! Don't blame them for wanting to close the account, it must have cost a fortune sending out the amount of paperwork they have bombarded me with over the time the account has been open. Anyway, it's empty now so close away!:D

teb_2

Think your friend might be too much of a sensitive soul cos I got the same letter and there's nothing threatening about it either in word or tone.

It's just a factual letter telling you that if you don't want to use your account then it'll be closed. Suppose I better go withdraw my whole £10.31 that I got stashed away then. :rolleyes:

anniecave

It's fair enough, they're keeping track of what accounts are active and what aren't. Current accounts are designed to be for regular use, so if you're not using it regularly, then that seems fine to me!