Halifax Reward Account Problem

WelshRarebit

Hi Folks
I opened up a Halifax Reward current account online. Passed all the security checks and account opened and my ID confirmed online by providing details of a Credit/Debit card held by myself and online banking all set up with no problems....or so it would seem.

I transferred over £1k into the account just after opening it then set up some new payees. I then tried to pay some of the money back to another account I hold with a different bank and all I get is a message “Unable to use mandate please try later”.

I called online support and they said that I will not be able to move money out of the account until they have completed their security checks which could take up to 5 days. He also claimed the initial payment must be made over the counter in cash (complete rubbish if you ask me).

At no point during the application process did it mention this and all information presented on screen suggested that the account was fully up and running (I have screen prints). So they have now got over a grand of my money which is effectively frozen for up to 5 days. Great!!

Anyone else had this issue?

bloss0m

I opened an account 2 days ago gave them my visa debt card from another bank as ID, passed the checks got password/username can long in even got a roll number but no account number so I cant even put money in

noh

WelshRarebit wrote: »

Hi Folks
I opened up a Halifax Reward current account online. Passed all the security checks and account opened and my ID confirmed online by providing details of a Credit/Debit card held by myself and online banking all set up with no problems....or so it would seem.

I transferred over £1k into the account just after opening it then set up some new payees. I then tried to pay some of the money back to another account I hold with a different bank and all I get is a message “Unable to use mandate please try later”.

I called online support and they said that I will not be able to move money out of the account until they have completed their security checks which could take up to 5 days. He also claimed the initial payment must be made over the counter in cash (complete rubbish if you ask me).

At no point during the application process did it mention this and all information presented on screen suggested that the account was fully up and running (I have screen prints). So they have now got over a grand of my money which is effectively frozen for up to 5 days. Great!!

Anyone else had this issue?

Yes it nearly always happens. The money will be available in one or two days.

tashalove

Hi!

I've just experienced the exact same problem!

I transferred money into my account towards the £1k but I have to withdraw it to pay my mortgage. However, it has now suspended my online account and access until they contact me.

Can anyone advise on the situation? As I'm needing the money to pay my bills. I thought as it's not quite the end of the month yet there would still be time to transfer money between accounts.

No one mentioned that once the money is in the account would again be subject to further checks.

Mikeyorks

WelshRarebit wrote: »

He also claimed the initial payment must be made over the counter in cash (complete rubbish if you ask me).

He was part right. Had you done as the T&Cs require? :

Pay £100 into your account to activate it. Your account must have £100 in it for at least 24 hours before we can send your Visa debit Card. You can make the payment by cash or cheque in one of our branches or by transferring the funds from another account with us.

The bit I've made bold is important if you're not an existing Halifax customer at the time you establish the account.

WelshRarebit

Mikeyorks wrote: »

He was part right. Had you done as the T&Cs require? :



The bit I've made bold is important if you're not an existing Halifax customer at the time you establish the account.

Well the screen print I got also says you can send money by electronic transfer from an account held with a different financial institution

jen245

When I opened mine online, I transferred the £100 in from my Natwest account. It disappeared for 48 hours, but then showed up and I was able to use the account as normal from that point. It is a known issue when opening Halifax current accounts.

ironlady2022

Some banks provide immediate bank details but it's subject to further checks, basically up until they do the checks, the account is not DEFINITELY OPEN. They do this as people almost alway want hold of their sort code and account details immediately after opening. I use to work for a bank and I would never give out account details til they'd gone through 'further checks' and usually takes 2-3 working days.

rb10

tashalove wrote: »

I transferred money into my account towards the £1k but I have to withdraw it to pay my mortgage. However, it has now suspended my online account and access until they contact me.

Phone up online banking - 08456 02 00 00 - and they will reset your access over the phone.

WelshRarebit

Well at least it looks like I'm not alone with this problem. I've not got a problem with banks carrying out security checks. My problem is that Halifax have lead me to believe the account is fully open and operational, encouraged me to transfer money into it, alowed me to set up new payment details and then and only then tell me that I can't pay money out of account for what could be up to 5 days.

PNPSUKNET

jen245 wrote: »

When I opened mine online, I transferred the £100 in from my Natwest account. It disappeared for 48 hours, but then showed up and I was able to use the account as normal from that point. It is a known issue when opening Halifax current accounts.

But complaints wont admit to it!