Natwest step account closing

chambta

Robbie64 wrote: »

Hi

Sorry to go off topic here with this request.

Can someone who has a NatWest Step account and is registered for the online banking service do me a favour and see if you can log onto your account without any problems?

My mum has been unable to access the account all day though it was working perfectly fine two days ago when she last accessed it. It lets her enter her Customer Number, then the PIN and Password screen loads fine and allows her to enter these details then when she enters these details she's getting a screen which says:

Online Banking
We're sorry but the service is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later.

If you continue to experience this situation please contact the online banking helpdesk for further assistance.
For a list of helpdesk numbers, please see our page of contact numbers


I don't know if it's related to the changes to the account or it's just purely coincidental. My mother is in her 70s and isn't in the best of health. She isn't able to phone the online banking contact number and the helpline won't speak to anyone else (I tried to phone them today but they were quite offhand, I do realise that there are security implications but the DWP are pushing pensioners onto payments into bank accounts even when they aren't always able because of health or other reasons manage the account themselves) so she can't find out what is going on. It's worrying her that something may be amiss but she's had this account for two years and this is the first time this problem has occurred. She was able to access the telephone banking and withdraw cash today so its obviously some online banking problem.

Thanks.

I personally had no issues earlier - the type of account will be irrelevant.

It may be an idea to make the account joint or become a third-party on the account so you can speak to the bank when necessary.

Hank_Marvin

Robbie
yeah i'm able to log into online banking. I've seen that message on the NW online banking screen but it usually works after going back to it in 10 or so minutes..

Robbie64

Hank_Marvin wrote: »

Robbie
yeah i'm able to log into online banking. I've seen that message on the NW online banking screen but it usually works after going back to it in 10 or so minutes..

Thanks for the reply, and to chambta too.

The message was showing all day yesterday (and even late last night) but she's been able to login perfectly fine this morning so goodness knows what the problem was. Anyway, it all seems to be sorted out now.

davethorp

Robbie64 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, and to chambta too.

The message was showing all day yesterday (and even late last night) but she's been able to login perfectly fine this morning so goodness knows what the problem was. Anyway, it all seems to be sorted out now.

I'm having the same issue today. I think in my case it could be down to my first reserve account due to be showing up in internet banking today so hopefully will sort itself out tomorrow like your problem did.

Back on topic I stumbled across THIS today which may be of interest to some in this thread. Probably wont make the blindest bit of difference like most epetitions but with RBS group being state owned you never know

auto-man

Lol. Silly petition. A bank is a business so if it isn't making money then too right restrict the ATM.

If people don't like it switch. Simples as the meerkat say.

davethorp

auto-man wrote: »

Lol. Silly petition. A bank is a business so if it isn't making money then too right restrict the ATM.

They made enough money to pay almost £1bn in bonuses with public money. Perhaps some of that money could have been diverted to help pay for link ATM access for all

If people don't like it switch. Simples as the meerkat say.

Don't get me started on the meerkat who has a long overdue appointment with my blender

There is the first reserve option which is what I've opted for though I am considering switching too. Of course some of the more vulnerable people with basic accounts will not be aware of the first reserve loophole (assuming natwest/rbs don't close it) and may struggle to switch especially if they don't realise that branch staff telling them they have been declined have put them through for the full account which has been known to happen quite often when people have gone in looking for basic accounts

auto-man

Lol at the meerkat blender thing. Totally agree lol

I'm also waiting to see if I've been accepted for the royalties account. Seems to give a better debit card

Hank_Marvin

Right rang the number on the back of the letter. Spoke to someone about the step account being changed. I rang because on the back of the letter it says if you live in a remote/rural area or have a disability and the removal of the use all cash machines then ring up.

So i'm in a rural/remote area of cornwall but nothing can be done over the phone because the chatham branch isnt open and they are the ones who deal with it. So is that right.??? They were happy to upgrade to the £8 a month account over the phone, but couldn't deal with the rural/remote problem on the phone.

stclair

Reading the letter it sounds as if the group are not bothered if they loose customers regarding the changes.

chambta

stclair wrote: »

Reading the letter it sounds as if the group are not bothered if they loose customers regarding the changes.

They aren't. The ones they will lose won't likely be making them money.