Santander and Wescot

samshiles

Hi all,

I was just wondering if someone would be able to give me some advice about Santander and Wescot.

I had an A&L current account a bit back with an arranged overdraft. I stopped using the account as my main account but left it open with a small but fluctuating o/d that was well within the agreed limit. I was being charged an underfunding fee on some months, which I accept I was liable for. At no point did I ever exceed the arranged o/d limit.

I then started receiving letters from Wescot (Debt collection) on behalf of Satander for the balance (~£100) that was owed on the account. My account was still open. I paid off the overdraft and advised Satander that I wanted to close the account. This was sometime around the end of March 2011.

I spoke to Wescot and they advised that the debt had been passed back to Santander. Happy days, I thought, account closed and Wescot off my back.

Until I received a letter advising that my account could not be closed because of monies owing on the account. I phoned up Satander and they advised that I had outstanding charges on the account which I must pay before the account could be closed. For the sake of an easy life I paid the fee and they once again agreed to close the account. A month or so later, I received another letter from Satander, again stating that I owed more fees and as a result the account could not be closed.

I phoned them up again, this time I was advised that in order to close the account I would have to visit a branch. I advised that I would not have the chance to visit a branch within the next month or so due to the location of my work and other commitments but that I would visit as soon as possible.

I then started receiving letters from Wescot again, for the original o/d amount (~£100)! I spoke to Wescot who were, in a word, rude. They said I had to send proof to them that I had paid the debt. I told them I had no intention of doing so as it was their issue to sort out. The women got very angry, at which point I asked to speak to her manager about her attitude - she soon changed her tune then and said she would try and chase Santander on my behalf.

A few minutes ago, I phone Satander again. They again agreed to cancelled the charges and close the account. I asked for written proof to be sent, they said that it "normally" would be.

As you can tell, this has been going around and around in circles. I am concerned that again the account will not be closed and I'll have the same issue next month. I am even more concerned that this whole episode will be effecting my credit rating.

If anyone has any advice on this situation, whether I should take this up with the FSA/FO, how to reverse/minimise the negative effect on my credit rating, if passing an arranged overdraft debt to a collection agency without consultation is legal etc etc I would be very very much indebted to you (excuse the pun).

Many thanks
Sam