Nationwide Charges Help

.NoMoney.

I hope this is the right place to post.

I have just returned from my local branch after attempting to close my account with them only to be told that there are charges to be added to my account due to unauthorised overdraft use, and until these have been cleared I cannot close my account. He is the story.

Last week I changed my bank account and made a transfer to clear my overdraft with Nationwide. I checked my account on Monday to ensure the transfer had gone through, and at 9am noticed charges had been applied for being over my overdraft from the weekend (apparently because although the transfer went through on Friday, because at the start of the day I was overdrawn charges were applied, and these were added to as I was overdrawn over the weekend). So at lunch time (1pm) I went into the branch and paid off the outstanding charges bringing the balance to £0.00.

I then asked the cashier if my account was now cleared which she responded with a yes it is. I then asked to close my account and she said that unfortunately, without the card they couldn't do this. I responded with, well, you sent me a letter advising me that my account had been frozen and any attempt to use my card would be considered fraud. So as a result I took the from my storage cupboard at home and cut it up. Now your telling me that despite it being frozen you want it back to prevent me attempting to use it.

She advised that unfortunately this was procedure but if I returned today with the card she would close the account.

So, today, I checked my account at 9am this morning and confirmed it was still showing £0.00 and then during my lunch (1pm) I go into my branch, with my card in pieces to close my account. I am then informed that because at the start of yesterday (despite me clearing my overdraft) I was still overdrawn more charges were being added today £63) and that I would need to clear these before I closed the account.

At this point I asked to speak to the manager, as yesterday I would have been able to close the account without any issues, but in 24 hours, despite nothing in my account changing charges have appeared. I am advised that no managers are available today as she is at another branch and there are no senior staff members in today. Convenient I thought, as because these charges will be applied, more will go on tomorrow with interest.

Can Nationwide get away with this?