Santander sends me someone's details and demands money

xyz123

update: please see post no 7 in this thread for update: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=37998618&postcount=7

cant change subject of topic so it is a bit misleading now....

hi

i received a letter today from Santender collections department saying i have an unauthorised overdraft on an account, which i must pay in 14 days.

problem is that i do not have this account neither i opened it at any time. i have another account with them but that is not overdrawn.

i called the collections department and they said all my personal details match with what they have on system so as far as they are concerned i am the account holder and asked me to contact fraud department

Fraud department told me that the account was opened in march 2009 and if this is the first time that there is a problem with this account then its probably not a fraud. they asked me to contact their applications department who are only open monday-friday.

i am thinking of doing this to try to resolve this and most importantly i am concerned about this affecting credit rating:

1- call application department on monday
2- write a letter to application department as follow up saying i dont own this account and demand that they provide proof that i own this account
3- send a letter to collections department referencing application department saying that they put this on hold - i am worried if they pass this on to a collection agency it will be a nightmare to resolve...

i have never previously received any communication regarding this account and i last checked my credit report about 4-5 months ago and everything was fine. it looks more likely to be a case of a mess up by santander rather than fraud.

anything else that i can do? when to start official santender complaints procedure?

anselld

When you say "everything was fine", do you mean that the offending account was not listed at all?
Personally, I would go into branch and camp out until it gets sorted. They must at least be able to find your application form on "the system" if indeed you made one.

As soon as sorted close all accounts, do not be tempted by £100 offers, 5% interest and other gimmics. Never darken their door again!

anselld

PS .. Check your credit report again. If they have marked any lates or defaults register a dispute with the Cred Ref agency.

jumpforjoy_2

Write to..
Antonio Horta-Osorio
Chief Executive
Santander UK
Triton Square
Regents Place
London
NW1 3AN

He must not be allowed to say he wasn't aware of the problems in
Santander UK after his pledges of July this year.

Send the letter recorded delivery so they cannot deny receipt, keep a copy for the Financial Ombudsman.

Do not phone them again as you will not have a record of the conversation, correspond in writing & keep all paperwork.

It is up to Santander to provide proof that you have opened an account, it is up to them to correct any error on their systems & also to correct any wrong information they have sent to any credit reference agency.

Santander are a bank in crisis & despite promises their service & administration are not improving.

xyz123

anselld wrote: »

When you say "everything was fine", do you mean that the offending account was not listed at all?
Personally, I would go into branch and camp out until it gets sorted. They must at least be able to find your application form on "the system" if indeed you made one.

As soon as sorted close all accounts, do not be tempted by £100 offers, 5% interest and other gimmics. Never darken their door again!

i will need to check that. i think an account was listed (but that would be my account). there were no late payments or anything at that time.

what i meant to say is that it is probably unlikely for someone to fradulently open an account in my name and then wait for 18 months to go ovdrdrawn by £150.

will try to go into branch but not sure if they will help. do they have access to account opening details for all account. my account sort code and this account sort code is different. if it matters sort code is 09 01 35 (which is not my account).

my account with santander was dormant anyway, moved to FD 6 months ago. i only have an ISA with them. i have been meaning to close my own current account anyway, but i delayed :mad:

anselld

Sort code leads to ....
Santander UK plc
Santander Ca5
21 Prescot Street
London
E1 8AD

xyz123

update:

got resolved.

What happened was that the charges were for an account with A+L which i closed in june 2010. or at least i thought i closed. i did it through telephone banking and they tranfered remaining balance to my other account.

but on their system this account was not closed. and they kept charging me underfunding fee and then charges etc.

i called their complaints department and they agreed to cancel all charges and cancel my account. i was told that i will receive a letter in 2-3 days confirming cancellation of account.

my quesiton is that will this have affected credit rating. i asked the guys in complaints department but he said he doesnt know. he transfered me to their other department which was closed.

if it is on my credit report then what do i do? do i make correction myself or ask bank to do it?

thanks

robbie1spook

Regarding Santander and some others problems I have today been rejected for my online banking connection yet again as they said someone had rung up and used the wrong reference even before the new pin had been sent to me! They admit its not me but said somene else is trying to get it by phone! Why I asked can I not have a new ID not allowed they said but if you want info. then ring us up and we can do the transactions for you! After 10 years of A & L without any problems I said I wish the system to actually work like its done before. Another try is coming Im told in about a week or twos time! How much longer am I expected to put up with this I asked reply was until we get the new system working which is now on trial and will be a few weeks time! So there we are they are doing their own thing and to heck with customer service! One more try and if it is not settled to my satisfaction then Ill be leaving them as had enough of it already

olly300

xyz123 wrote: »

if it is on my credit report then what do i do? do i make correction myself or ask bank to do it?

1. Ask the bank to do it put your request in writing to the Data Registrar.
2. If they refuse and you can prove you have made a monetary loss i.e. then threaten to take them to court. If it is a small amount take them to court.