Switching service from Halifax

littleme96

Have just signed up to open a Halifax Reward current account (via Moneysupermarket to get the £50 offer too), but having never switched bank accounts I am slightly concerned that it's all going to go wrong! Have no overdraft on either account.

How does it work with them switching over your DD's etc, do they take into account when your salary has been switched over or is there a good chance I'll go overdrawn in the meantime? Just wondering how well managed it is when they do it all for you?

Thanks in advance.

opinions4u

They offer a fee free overdraft facility for the first 120 days to ensure that you aren't out of pocket as a result of transferring.

My advice is to keep on eye on things but don't try to do part of the switching process yourself if you've already asked Halifax to manage this for you. Make sure you keep the old bank account funded until you have confirmation that everything has been moved across.

When I worked for Halifax the official line given to staff was that 98% of transfers went through smoothly. On the occasions I dealt with complaints around the transfer process it was either a result of customer interference or a direct debit to a government body or local authority for something other than council tax (e.g. HMRC).

They should provide you with a contact number. If you're concerned, call it - just don't try to take over the process half-way through!

Bosie

I'm in this process with Halifax at the moment, when I checked my old bank account (Yorkshire Bank) all the direct debits were gone on Tuesday. There was a note that said DD's transferred to another bank
I had a look again tonight on Halifax online and still no sign of the DD's, it has been 4 days. Also worried as there was a Sky DD due and a mobile phone debit due on the 23rd July.

So where are these direct debits:eek:

Azrael_1701

Bosie wrote: »

I'm in this process with Halifax at the moment, when I checked my old bank account (Yorkshire Bank) all the direct debits were gone on Tuesday. There was a note that said DD's transferred to another bank
I had a look again tonight on Halifax online and still no sign of the DD's, it has been 4 days. Also worried as there was a Sky DD due and a mobile phone debit due on the 23rd July.

So where are these direct debits:eek:

Clearly the yorkshire bank has canceled the DD before the companies have had a chance to set up the new mandate on the HFX account.

Bosie

Wouldn't they have been instructed to do this by Halifax? When the switching team contacted them? I'm a bit of a control freak and maybe should have done the DD's myself:o

Azrael_1701

Bosie wrote: »

Wouldn't they have been instructed to do this by Halifax? When the switching team contacted them? I'm a bit of a control freak and maybe should have done the DD's myself:o

They would have been, yes, but not all of them can process that chance within an instant, i have seen *a certain retailer* take up to a week to action it.

Consumerist

Bosie wrote: »

I'm in this process with Halifax at the moment, when I checked my old bank account (Yorkshire Bank) all the direct debits were gone on Tuesday.

This is unusual. It seems that Yorkshire may have cancelled your DDs etc. after having received the request from Halifax. (Spite ?)

In this situation, I would contact the DD payees and advise them you are changing banks. Ask them to contact you if any DD is unpaid so that you can arrange with them to rectify the matter quickly.

Edit
I don't advise interfering with the switching process unless things actually go wrong. Halifax has undertaken to do the job and accept responsibility for it unless you interfere.

Bosie

Just logged into my Sky account and in red letters ''your account is overdue'' so have had to pay it by card. They have also charged me £4 because the debit didn't go through?
So what should I do? Do you think Yorkshire Bank would cancel them all for spite, there's 14 direct debits.
Bit worried now

Consumerist

First thing to do is report the fact to Halifax. They have accepted responsibility for the switch so should compensate you for any losses incurred.

In the long run you may have to consider using the complaints procedure of both banks but for now monitor the situation and advise Halifax of any problems. Keep a record.

As suggested earlier, advise all your DD payees that you are changing banks and ask them to contact you in case of non-payment.

It's not clear whether Halifax has requested cancellation of your DDs at Yorkshire but you can pursue this, if necessary, after the switch is complete.

Halifax should compensate you for your losses provided you do not interefere with their process. If DDs go unpaid, however, you are quite right to sort it out with the payees yourself.

Bosie

Consumerist wrote: »

First thing to do is report the fact to Halifax. They have accepted responsibility for the switch so should compensate you for any losses incurred.

In the long run you may have to consider using the complaints procedure of both banks but for now monitor the situation and advise Halifax of any problems. Keep a record.

As suggested earlier, advise all your DD payees that you are changing banks and ask them to contact you in case of non-payment.

It's not clear whether Halifax has requested cancellation of your DDs at Yorkshire but you can pursue this, if necessary, after the switch is complete.

Halifax should compensate you for your losses provided you do not interefere with their process. If DDs go unpaid, however, you are quite right to sort it out with the payees yourself.

Thanks very much for your advice, just checked my mobile account and that hasn't been paid either!
So had to pay that by card as well! Will contact halifax tomorrow, as there are 3 more direct debits due from the 28th of this month.

Consumerist

I suggest you pay particular attention to any credit-card minimum payment DDs that may be due. It might be worth your while making separate additional payments to cover the minimum payments, just in case.