Are Santander blocking my Account to stop move?

AnonymousForObviousReason

I'm trying to move to FD and my A&L Internet Banking has been blocked (again), has anyone else successfully moved accounts whilst in this position? FD account is set up and just sent off DD and SO change form.

I can manage it financially, money in A&L account will cover bills for next couple of months and I moved enough out to other accounts to live on. So if it'll go through I'll just make the single phone call to say it's okay and not fraud, when it doesn't help - I'll let it be (maybe start spamming the complaints email).

Took me weeks and weeks to sort out last time and none of the phone operators or people in the bank actually helped (all claimed to), don't actually know the person who sorted it out, I never got notification it just started working again.

Additional Info
Had suspected fraud calls about my account on Saturday. Finally got through to operator and was told sorry it was a mistake and there was nothing on the account or card which could have raised such a flag, so all okay and Internet Banking not locked (which it wasn't). Wasted a few hours but hey not the end of the world. Checked Saturday and Sunday no problems I had access (don't remember checking yesterday). This morning Blocked.

jen245

I guess you are using First Direct's switching service? It seems that when people use another banks switching service, thats when the problems with A&L start, as they dont seem to like co-operating with them. I did my switch myself, and had my new account up and running in a month, with all my dd's and payments into the account switched, with no issues, and managed to get my A&L accounts closed over the phone. I think Ive been lucky compared to the experiences some people have had!

Gav8

It took a week from posting my form to First Direct to them sending me the list of direct debits, so A&L seemed pretty quick for me.

Maybe there's some sort of issue with incorrect names on your accounts making it difficult for A&L to figure out what to do? That seems to be the basis for lots of the problems they've had, at least it was in my case. It may be worth ringing up and getting them to go through the names on each account.

Good luck. I'm nearly rid of them now, can't wait.

Degenerate

You attribute far to much competence to Santander by thinking they are capable of implementing such devious tactics puporsefully.

tgon

Gav8 wrote: »

It took a week from posting my form to First Direct to them sending me the list of direct debits, so A&L seemed pretty quick for me.

Well done. Im still in my 2nd month waiting/chasing/fretting

AnonymousForObviousReason

Okay they couldn't tell me what the suspect fraud was via the phone(and still no internet bank access). Today I got a letter from them (dated after I phoned up), so now I can tell them what time the suspect activity happened, which caused them to block my access, so I can confirm or deny it. :doh:

There is an interesting thing, the time and amount are the same as the FD transfer (they've not given enough detail for me to confirm 100% from the letter) ... no that wasn't the interest thing, it's the fact that they say they cancelled the transaction, but it had left my account when I checked over the weekend and today the money arrived in my FD account :shocked:

So there are 3 options I can see:
1 There was attempted fraud, well done Santander. :eek:

2 They let the suspect payment happen, even having identified it as possibly fraudulent. So I'll kicking up a fuss about how they let that happen.

3 I sent two payments by mistake (one turned back and one went through) and I brought this all on myself. Not sure what to make of that situation. :think:

evelyn55_2

Just one week on from taking half a day off work to visit a branch to "identify" myself and have blocks taken off my card and account....here we are...Wed evening...kids gone to French evening class....taken the people carrier to petrol station on the way to college, as I have a long way to travel to work tomorrow.......They have just phoned.....mum? Bit of a problem....the card has been refused!!!!!!!!!
I was promised it was a one off last time.......I have called the call centre....put through to FRAUD DEPT!!! Can I give security no. on card and last 4 digits? I did...........WRONG! You have failed security!!!!! How can I get my kids home? "I do understand Mrs H, but you will have to go to a branch" I have a headache.....Santander can drive a reasonable person crazy.

tazdevil01985

evelyn55 wrote: »

Just one week on from taking half a day off work to visit a branch to "identify" myself and have blocks taken off my card and account....here we are...Wed evening...kids gone to French evening class....taken the people carrier to petrol station on the way to college, as I have a long way to travel to work tomorrow.......They have just phoned.....mum? Bit of a problem....the card has been refused!!!!!!!!!
I was promised it was a one off last time.......I have called the call centre....put through to FRAUD DEPT!!! Can I give security no. on card and last 4 digits? I did...........WRONG! You have failed security!!!!! How can I get my kids home? "I do understand Mrs H, but you will have to go to a branch" I have a headache.....Santander can drive a reasonable person crazy.

For f's sake when will they learn I am glad I have never banked with them seem a right bunch of wallies

AnonymousForObviousReason

evelyn55 wrote: »

Just one week on from taking half a day off work to visit a branch to "identify" myself and have blocks taken off my card and account....here we are...Wed evening...kids gone to French evening class....taken the people carrier to petrol station on the way to college, as I have a long way to travel to work tomorrow.......They have just phoned.....mum? Bit of a problem....the card has been refused!!!!!!!!!
I was promised it was a one off last time.......I have called the call centre....put through to FRAUD DEPT!!! Can I give security no. on card and last 4 digits? I did...........WRONG! You have failed security!!!!! How can I get my kids home? "I do understand Mrs H, but you will have to go to a branch" I have a headache.....Santander can drive a reasonable person crazy.

As dreadful as the rubbish service I've had, I'm fortunate not to be in the same situation as many others like and count myself lucky for it.

Tupperware_Queen

ah ha...I had exactly the same problems in the summer, when moving from a joint A & L acc to my sole LTSB acc after separating from OH. Luckily, the LTSB was a longstanding account, they just gave me a big temp overdraft until A & L (by then as santander!!) got their finger out and sorted the issues......btw, when they rang me and asked me to go through their security, and I said, how do I know you are from A & L - answer - we are your bank, why would we lie....excuse me, isn't that exactly what a fraudster would be saying to me???

flamin eejits!!

Banksarebandits

Back in Feb 2010 I foolishly switched from Halifax to A&L who shortly afterwards sold out to Santander. I went to A&L on the basis that they would allow me to keep my overdraft facility which I assume still stood when they sold out.

Last week I received a letter from Santander stating that my overdraft facility would run out in six months time. I thought thats ok as it gives me 6 months to sort myself out. This week however I discovered that Santander have completely removed my overdraft without so much as telling me!:mad:

Can they legally do this?

My next step is to find a new bank!