Cannot set up new DirectDebit? Santander?

johnmcgiffin

Am I the only person sufferring this?

Since the "transition" from A&L to Santander, the sort codes and account numbers on our accounts have changed.

In the past month we have tried to set up new direct debits with our local county council, O2, and IKEA - none of which are small businesses.

Each time the application has been rejected, with the message "This sort code is not recognised" or similar.

Santander say they have written to all businesses about the change, but it seems the message hasn't got through.

So, two things:-

1) Anyone else suffering/suffered this?

2) Is there a "workaround" - it's been suggested using the old A&L sort code?

This is just the last in a long line of mess ups by A&L since the transition - think it's time to give up and vote with feet - First Direct here we come....

rb10

Most likely the problem lies not with Santander, but with the companies that you are trying to set up the direct debits with.

Santander will have created new sort codes for the ex-A&L accounts. Since new sort codes are being created all the time, banks are supposed to update their databases every couple of weeks or so.

It would appear that the bank(s) that your council, O2 and Ikea use have not updated their database since Santander introduced the sort code.

This same thing happened recently when Halifax opened a new branch - the branch had a new sort code, which was activated 6 weeks before the branch opened, to give other banks plenty of time to recognise it. It took HSBC & First Direct over six months to sort it out.

So it doesn't look like you can blame Santander for this ... but you've probably got a list of other things that you can blame them for!

[Deleted User]

rb10 wrote: »

Most likely the problem lies not with Santander, but with the companies that you are trying to set up the direct debits with.

Santander will have created new sort codes for the ex-A&L accounts. Since new sort codes are being created all the time, banks are supposed to update their databases every couple of weeks or so.

It would appear that the bank(s) that your council, O2 and Ikea use have not updated their database since Santander introduced the sort code.

This same thing happened recently when Halifax opened a new branch - the branch had a new sort code, which was activated 6 weeks before the branch opened, to give other banks plenty of time to recognise it. It took HSBC & First Direct over six months to sort it out.

So it doesn't look like you can blame Santander for this ... but you've probably got a list of other things that you can blame them for!

indeed
see if o2 can update the sort codes manually + ikea also

notbritishgas

johnmcgiffin wrote: »

Am I the only person sufferring this?

Since the "transition" from A&L to Santander, the sort codes and account numbers on our accounts have changed.

In the past month we have tried to set up new direct debits with our local county council, O2, and IKEA - none of which are small businesses.

Each time the application has been rejected, with the message "This sort code is not recognised" or similar.

Santander say they have written to all businesses about the change, but it seems the message hasn't got through.

So, two things:-

1) Anyone else suffering/suffered this?

2) Is there a "workaround" - it's been suggested using the old A&L sort code?

This is just the last in a long line of mess ups by A&L since the transition - think it's time to give up and vote with feet - First Direct here we come....

I was not aware that the account numbers would change. At the moment my sort code has changed, although I think the old one still works, but my account number is still the same.
Has your account number changed drastically and when did it happen. If they change without telling people then the results could be bad, eg no monet going into account.

sallytheteamonkey

I've had this problem too. I could use another card but the problem is that to sign up with O2 the card has to be registered to the address the broadband will be for. So I can't use a family member's card

How can O2 not have fixed this yet? They must be losing so much custom.

molerat

You don't want a card registered, that is a licence for them to rob your account. Search for continuous card authority !! DD only, you can cancel or contest a DD,