Downgrading my current account at Santander?

Pat-a-cake

Okay so basically just started work after about 9 months unemployed, I have a Santander current account which is racked with bank charges and which I'll have to have my wages paid in to but my overdrafts will swallow them up. I'm wondering if they'll open me up a basic account to deal with my wages and I can slowly pay back the charges, on my other account. I'd open a basic account elsewhere except for the fact that I don't have enough I.d., I'm still living with parents have no bills with my name on etc. and do not have a passport or birth certificate ( I know !! I do not know how I got myself into this situation!). Any advice?!?

Loughton_Monkey

If they were to open a basic account for you, then the minute your wages were paid into it they would 'steal' the money to pay off your debts on the other account (as they are legally able to do).

Degenerate

Pat-a-cake wrote: »

Okay so basically just started work after about 9 months unemployed, I have a Santander current account which is racked with bank charges and which I'll have to have my wages paid in to but my overdrafts will swallow them up. I'm wondering if they'll open me up a basic account to deal with my wages and I can slowly pay back the charges, on my other account. I'd open a basic account elsewhere except for the fact that I don't have enough I.d., I'm still living with parents have no bills with my name on etc. and do not have a passport or birth certificate ( I know !! I do not know how I got myself into this situation!). Any advice?!?

Go to the registry office or apply online for a copy of your birth certificate. This is a public record, anyone can obtain it, you do not need any other ID. With the birth certificate and a witness signature you can apply for a provisional photocard driving license. Costs £9.25 for the birth certificate and £50 for the driving license I'm afraid, but it's unavoidable, you will constantly come across problems if you don't get yourself some proper ID.

Using the driving license as proof of ID and a statement from your Santander Account as proof of address, open a basic bank account with a different institution. People seem to recommend the Co-op Cashminder.