Mum went for a new cheque book, came out with a credit card!

lindos90

My mum usually orders her cheque book at her local branch, then collects it there too. She has recently moved to live near us, so went into our local branch of the same bank to ask the same.

The assisitant was quite curt with her and said my mum would have to see 'someone in the back'.

She was then 'interviewed' by someone who tried to sell her house insurance, said it was cheper than she had currently, but said he couldnt tell her how much until she signed!! She declined.

He then asked her about her accounts, she explained she used to have a credit card, but never used it and cancelled it about 4 years ago when there was talk of 'charges' for people who didnt use the CCs. She explained she has one current account. She has a visa debit card with it, but never uses it.

He said that she would need to 'reactivate' the card, and get a new card to carry on using the account. She signed something, and came out with some paperwork. She gave me the paperwork to look at, its an application for a airmiles credit card!!!

At no point did the man say anything about appying for a credit card, or airmiles or anything, he told her it was for her current account...She is 74, poor eyesight and mobility and I think he saw her as easy pickings to meet their credit card target...im fuming!!!:mad:

Freddie_Snowbits

OK, get the sherry out and make sure your mother has it, then get the scissors out and do what you have too.

(Note Freddie advises that you use the scissors on the card)

cyberbob

I would contact the bank and complain about their selling techniques. If the bank doesn't have a branch manager (not many do now) I would go to the next point up the food chain. I would also include a letter from your mum informing them that she doesn't want the card and wants it cancelled.

lindos90

Thanks Ive called the branch, they said that they would not hve been able to make a credit card application without my mum being told what was happening, but as there was just him and my mum in the room, its her word against his. I was told that the credit card application can not be cancelled, but once it arrives, my mum does not have to use the card. Shes now worried that having an unused credit card account could mean she will get charged (which was the reason she canelled her old one years ago). The branch said he probably opened it for her because they are phasing out cheque books, and a credit card is a good alternative to cheques!

They dont get the point, she didnt ask for it, he didnt tell her thats what she was signing for!

lindos90

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

OK, get the sherry out and make sure your mother has it, then get the scissors out and do what you have too.

(Note Freddie advises that you use the scissors on the card)

Glad you clarified to use the scissors on the card Freddie....I thought you were suggesting a few snips at the bank!!

cyberbob

lindos90 wrote: »

She was then 'interviewed' by someone who tried to sell her house insurance, said it was cheper than she had currently, but said he couldnt tell her how much until she signed!! She declined.

I would also be questioning this. I would be making a big fuss as why are they targeting there sales to OAPs who generally don't have a large disposable income. If the branch don't seem to be taking it seriously I would be doing a formal complaint via their official complaints procedure.

lindos90

I know, exactly! I couldnt believe that when she told me! She was quite annoyed with him because her home insurance it with the bank already, he said if she 'signed' he could get it cheaper than she was paying now, he must have known her current premium from info on his screen. problem is, its still her word against his!

She told him that if he could get it cheaper then why had they been happy for her to pay more when she renewed it when she moved? He would not tell her how he could make it cheaper.

I'd not be suprised if he's signed her up to pay for identity theft cover on the credit card, and probably upgraded her current account to one with a monthly fee for interntional travel and car breakdown cover as well!!!:rotfl:

She says she will double check her next few statements with me to see if any unusual fees are coming out.

JimmyTheWig

I think you need a two-pronged attack.

1. Compain to the bank (and take it higher if necessary). I would ask for a written statement of why you mum was offered a credit card (because I don't think it is a good alternative to cheques!) and insure that it is recorded somewhere that you believe she was led to believe she was signing for something different (not much you can prove when it's one word against another, but at least get it recorded in case a pattern emerges witht his bank or this salesman).

2. Ensure your mum realises that she shouldn't be signing things that she can't read. In this instance it hasn't actually done much harm (an unnecessary credit search, at most) but she could have been signing up for anything. This could be a good lesson that banks are not to be trusted. She needs to understand that if someone won't let her bring the paperwork away with her to show you before she signs it then she should walk away from the deal.

lindos90

Thanks Jimmy, very good second point. Ive never really seen my mum as 'vulnerable' shes always been very fiesty and assertive, but thats because I know her, if you just looked at her she would look like a sweet little old lady. She usually sorts out all her finances and bills, ive never had to support her in that way, and I hope its not left her feeling less confident about this. In fact it was my mum that first told me about this web site as she always watches him when he's on TV! (Although shes not got computer, she thought it might help me, which it certinly has over the years!)

Im suprised she did sign there and then, but she didnt know it was a CC application form, she was told it was to reactivate her rarley used debit card to keep her current account active, I guess she felt she had to do it so she could assess the money in her current account.

smileyhaggis

A complaints letter should be sent to Head office, Customer Care......address etc from the branch.
Also ask the a 'no marketing' flag be placed against your mothers account.
This should ensure that no member of staff will approach her and attempt to 'sell' her any products.
If she is approached all she has to tell them is that she has a 'no marketing' flag on her account.
You/She may have to insist that this is done as staff are discouraging people from having this recorded.

lindos90

Thanks smileyhaggis, she does have 'no marketing' with the bank, but they must have got round this by saying she would have to speak to someone about getting a new cheque book, then its the 'while you re here...' discussion when shes sat down in the office.

She still doesnt even know if they are getting a new cheque book for her either!!!!!