Halifax are annoying me

Cashcade

I have been a Halifax customer virtually all my life. I have had a current account with them for lord knows how long.

Recently, a little extra went out my account and now i'm going to be hit with a £30 charge. Also, if that fails they're going to hit me with a further £28 charge.

I asked them a long time ago to give me an overdraft facility of £100, which would be more than sufficient in case i went over by a few quid. However, because my credit history was a bit bad then (had probs with cred card debts, all of which are now clear), the "computer" refused my request.

I have a regular wage going in each month, and has been going in for many years. Therefore, I don't see what the problem is.

My plan of action is to go down the branch and request an overdraft or threaten to close/switch my account.

Please advice me folks.

MrChips

A similar thing happened to me but with Nationwide. I had been on holiday, used the cash card a few times, and when I came back to UK, moved the leftover cash in my current account into my "e-savings" account for the extra interest. Unfortunately one of the foreign withdrawals came through late, and there was no money in my account to pay for it. They sent me a bill for £20.

I went to my branch and kindly explained the situation and asked if they would consider waiving it. They were happy to oblige, not only refunding the £20 charge but also the (small) interest charge [I also took the opportunity to set up a small overdraft facility - but it seems you've already tried this without success ]

Of course, Nationwide are probably a little "nicer" than Halifax, but try this tactic first. If they refuse to budge, follow Martin's "claim back unfair charges" article...

Good luck.

Cashcade

originally posted by Mr Chips
Of course, Nationwide are probably a little "nicer" than Halifax, but try this tactic first. If they refuse to budge, follow Martin's "claim back unfair charges" article...

I have been reading that article and am amazed that consumers are winning the battle against the corporate giants.

Hear hear.

I am going to beginning a similar process shortly myself.

capstain411

I have halifax student account and had this problem 3 times. So in total i have paid 90 pounds in fine.

Halifax is absolutely hopeless in this situation. This will not budge ( like potrayed in nationwide ad "it kind of their tip".

I wouldn't recommend threatning them to close the account. If you can then i would recommend switching ur bank. Alliance and leicester current account gives u 300 pounds overdraft automatically.

supersaversarah

I have gone overdrawn twice with my Halifax credit card, both were complete accidents. The first time I paid a bill with the wrong card (doh!) the second time I missed my payment date by one day (doh!). I rang them up and explained and both times they wavered the charge.

I know it may be different though as its the credit card company and from what I can gather it is run completely separately to the current account people.

However, my dad has also had charges wavered in the past from his current account. He usually threatens to close the account and take it elsewhere, which gets the desired result as he puts quite a bit on each month.

Don't know if this is much help, but just thought I'd let you know that they do do it, so don't take no for an answer.

EagerLearner

Cashcade wrote:

I have been a Halifax customer virtually all my life. I have had a current account with them for lord knows how long.

Recently, a little extra went out my account and now i'm going to be hit with a £30 charge. Also, if that fails they're going to hit me with a further £28 charge.

Just goes to show that sadly these days, it doesn't pay to be with one bank forever - my OH has been with RBOS for 16 years and they haven't rewarded him with anything although he has several products. I'm making arrangements for him to him to move over to A&L as we speak (earning £50 via Quidco and £50 referral - possible double this if I join too). A&L are going to introduce a 6% current account and a 12% savings account in early September if this is of interest to you - see the Current Account & Budgeting board for more info.

Good luck with reclaiming your charges! :T

CopperPlate_2

Doesn't surprise me about Halifax/Bank of Scotland - dreadful. Wouldn't touch them with a bargepole even if they were paying me.

Cashcade

i went today and refused to budge. I said i might transfer my CA over. She said fine. It's like she didn't care.

The only reason i haven't switched it over is because i don't think i'll pass a credit check for a CA. Unless when you transfer it over, they don't do one.

Which bank account would you recommed?

EagerLearner

Personally, I'd say A&L (only next month) or Halifax. Most people would pass a credit check for a basic current account - depends what debt you are in I guess.

Join Quidco.com and then you can earn £50 if you decide to open the A&L account - money for nothing.

EagerLearner

CopperPlate wrote:

Doesn't surprise me about Halifax/Bank of Scotland - dreadful. Wouldn't touch them with a bargepole even if they were paying me.

I know - interest rates are awful and they won't transfer his account from Canterbury to Brighton as he'd 'lose' his 16 year account history (opened the account in Canterbury but has lived in Brighton for ages) - can you believe that! :eek:

Cashcade

I'm saying i won't pass one because i recently applied for a job with financial services firm. Aced the interview but one of the prerequisites was that i needed to pass a credit check to open a bank account with them, which i failed.