block on nationwide account

Macnab

I recently opened a natiowide flex account, and have had 2 lots of wages paid into it, I went to use my debit card via internet shopping today and was told the card wasn't authorised. So I rang the call centre after 12 mins of hanging on finally got to speak to a girl in Northampton explained the problem, she said there was a no trace on the account and its been blocked, then I was cut off before she could say anything else! So rang back, didn't even get to speak to anyone was cut off after 5 mins of hanging on. Gritting teeth tried again 15 mins this time and spoke to a girl in Swindon who confirmed what the original girl said, but wasn't at liberty to tell me why and wasn't able to help me I had to go into my local branch, which afterall this hanging on had closed! Why if they offer telephone banking can't they help over the phone? How can they put a no trace on an active account and how can they block an account that has wages being paid into it? I've had to go even more overdrawn in my OH's account, so cross.

Bossyboots

Did you have to actively activate your card and if so, did you do it. I have an account on which I have to telephone to confirm receipt of the card and answer some security questions before it can be used. If they don't get the call within 14 days of sending out the card it and the account are blocked in case the card has gone missing. I would however get a letter asking me to ring them (thats the theory, I haven't put it to the test).

I wonder if it is something like that. When you go to the branch, it would be a good idea to take some ID with you in case they can activate the account but need to check you are who you say you are.

Macnab

As far as I'm aware I did everything asked of me when I opened the account, and received quite a bit of info from them which I duly filled out. I didn't however use the account immediately as I'm only paid during term time. The first girl said, before we were cut off ,that some post had been returned and that could be the reason. I hope its easily rectified as there's bills that need to be paid and thats where the money is.

I shall go down tomorrow with as much ID and their correspondence as I can muster and see what happens

thanks for your reply BB, just about stopped shaking now!

M_Thomson

Were the wages large amounts? Perhaps they have put a block on your account because of 2 large credits going in. They may want to talk with you in person to confirm where the wages come from.

Rafter

If the post has been returned this is a sign of a potential fraud or money laundering situation.

Nationwide are therefore obliged by law to freeze the account and verify your identity in person.

Don't be angry - they are doing this to protect your interests and also stop drug money being cleaned by the UK banking system. As well as avoid unncessary charges for Nationwides other customers if a fraud had been committed.

Remember Nationwide is a building society and not a bank - it is owned by its own members (including you). It is not there intention to make money out of you or take your funds without permission.

Go into the branch, get the problem sorted and if it is a fault their side with the wrong address or postcode put on the account then get them to apologise!

Good luck.

R.

sindy_2

Rafter wrote:

If the post has been returned this is a sign of a potential fraud or money laundering situation.

Nationwide are therefore obliged by law to freeze the account and verify your identity in person.

Don't be angry - they are doing this to protect your interests and also stop drug money being cleaned by the UK banking system. As well as avoid unncessary charges for Nationwides other customers if a fraud had been committed.

Remember Nationwide is a building society and not a bank - it is owned by its own members (including you). It is not there intention to make money out of you or take your funds without permission.

Go into the branch, get the problem sorted and if it is a fault their side with the wrong address or postcode put on the account then get them to apologise!

Good luck.

R.

I wouldn't be so sure about that!.....or am I reclaiming 'Fair' Bank charges back lol

Macnab

well have been into the local branch and she apologised, studied my ID and said the block would be removed the next morning, it wasn't. She has tried to remove it every morning since and still no luck. She's now changed my address to the same one as before but is hoping that will trigger the no trace to be removed and I have to go back in again monday with all my ID again to prove I'm still me.

My wages are a pittance as they are from teaching evening leisure classes and so I try and leave them for the term so that there's a decent amount to use for things like christmas etc, hardly money laundering - saddest criminals ever if thats the case!

So still no joy

Bossyboots

Macnab wrote:

My wages are a pittance as they are from teaching evening leisure classes and so I try and leave them for the term so that there's a decent amount to use for things like christmas etc, hardly money laundering - saddest criminals ever if thats the case!

The point is, you could have set up the account to launder money. Nationwide have no way of knowing and your payments going in could just be to make the account look genuine. If they cannot contact you at the address registered, then they have to enforce the rules.

kenshaz

Bossyboots wrote:

The point is, you could have set up the account to launder money. Nationwide have no way of knowing and your payments going in could just be to make the account look genuine. If they cannot contact you at the address registered, then they have to enforce the rules.

Wow what a wonderful free country we used to live in,now it is just rules and they must be enforced ,no common sense ,for example look at the electoral register.

squashy

kenshaz wrote:

Wow what a wonderful free country we used to live in,now it is just rules and they must be enforced ,no common sense ,for example look at the electoral register.

That would be completely impractical and could waste precious time whilst in the meantime all sorts of fraud could be going on (not by the OP I hasten to add!)

I have first hand knowledge that one of the duties of a Nationwide cashier/customer services adviser was to deal with the DAILY batch of return-to-sender letters and statements, using a computer to put a "no trace" indicator on the account, ie there is no trace of the adressee and so the account is put on hold. Pretty basic security nouse if you ask me.

I do sympathise with the OP however, as no computer program is infallible. I hope they compensate you for your trips to the branch!

Gorgeous_George

I assume they had the wrong address on their file and that mail was returned 'no longer at this address'. It may be a nuisance but it is the law and all banks/building societies are the same. It's your responsibility to tell them when you move.

The block should be easy to remove though and it does sound like they have let you down. Ask them for a free counter cheque so that you can have your money and suggest that a small gesture could keep you banking with them.



GG