Are Santander adding DD in preperation to screw me over?

AnonymousForObviousReason

I've found 2 new direct debits have been added to my A&L (now Santander) account. I think this must have been in last few weeks, don't think there last time I checked about then.

One is to ALLIANCE & LEICESTER the other is BIRMINGHAM MIDSHIR

Thinking nice thoughts:
I am moving from Santander, has the A&L DD been done in order to provide me a cheque (how did they know I was closing account?)

Birmingham Midshire, I have started to open a Savings account from AA - but wasn't aware it required a DD to be set up but done so many accounts possible I've forgotten.

Thoughts based on previous experience, Are they about to completely screw me over by moving all my money to some random persons account, or let my DD be transferred over then steal it all back? (I wrote the last one in jest but having read it back ...)

Thanks

jen245

They set up a dd on mine a while ago to pay money into the linked plus saver account, so that could be what the A&L one is for, not sure about the Birmingham Midshires one though, unless it's to pay my mortgage!:p

AnonymousForObviousReason

Double checked the AA documentation and that seems to be the Birmingham Midshires. Whoot soon to be free of A&L:j

Loughton_Monkey

C'mon, Anonymous.

You know very well what's happening. Of course they are trying to screw you over, especially after your strapline that was so cruelly removed by the forum.

Your previous venemous comments about Satander probably derive from bad service. I know what you mean. If you make the dire mistake (as I did once) of shopping at Homebase, Romford, you receive the ultimate indignity of being called "Babe" by checkout staff who don't know you from Adam!

After considerable thought, I have finally come up with the ultimate and perfect solution to prevent this nasty experience ever re-occurring. I simply don't shop there!

I, too, opened an AA Account, knowing full well that these people mend cars, and don't cash cheques. Which is why I wasn't surprised to see the clear notice, during the opening process, that the account was administered by Birmingham Midshires, and nor was I surprised when I had to fill in Direct Debit details to set up a 'linked account' between Midshires and my chosen Current Account.

A word of advice. If you don't trust them, close all your accounts with them (including the one paying a generous 5% on balances up to £2,500), before they take you to the cleaners. Don't deal with them!

AnonymousForObviousReason

Loughton started a couple of weeks ago babe (couldn't resist ). I've set up a FD account and whilst that was happening I transferred the majority of my money to a holding account (in the short windows I had access to internet banking).

Keeping cash in Santander only to cover DD till they are moved, then I'm out of there :j

AA may fix cars but lets face it they couldn't be worse as a bank as Santander manage.

Thanks for your responses. I'll brace myself for the outcome.

tellmeitsfriday

I deleted them as soon as I saw them, and nothing (extra) has gone wrong.

I have to smugly report that I am just waiting for my £5 balance cheque to arrive and I shall be freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I went to the branch and made them write a note on my file that I had closed my account, and was just waiting for my cheque - hoping any silly underfunding fees could be avoided. Wonder if that will work...