Santander Direct Debit Error

tadpole74

This post isn't strictly about reclaiming PPI charges but as it relates to bank accounts I couldn't see a more appropriate forum. Please feel free to move.

Last week I closed my bank account with Santander because they were charging me an under funding fee. I had a couple of Direct Debits set up on that account and realised after I had closed the account that I would need to make manual payments as I didn't have time to set up new Direct Debits.

I checked my credit card bill this morning to check my manual payment had gone through to find that I was in credit because my Direct Debt with Santander had actually gone through.

Not surprisingly I am very annoyed with Santander because they never told me that a Direct Debit would still be taken after I had closed the account. Plus this payment will now take me overdrawn so I presume they will be charging me an overdraft fee and interest when its not my fault.

Now I know the honourable thing to do would be to contact Santander, point out their mistake and pay back the money. However there is a part of me that thinks its their mistake and considering how much they took off me for underfunding fee they can "whistle for it". It would be nice to get one over on the banks considering how quick they are to rip consumers off.

Any opinions?

tadpole74

I should probably have said that my credit card bill was only for £20 so we are not talking large amounts of money. I just want to make a point to Santander because of their incompetent customer service. :-)

noh

Was your account actually closed at the time the DD was taken?
Accounts with Santander are, in my experience, usually closed a week or so after the date of request.
Have you had a letter confirming account closure?

It is possible that your credit card DD was already in progress when you cancelled the account therefore could not be stopped. It may be that the DD was refused by Santander and that has not yet shown on yor CC statement.
Check your online banking with Santander to see (closing your accounts does not terminate online access) if the account is still active and if the DD was debited.

dunstonh

Now I know the honourable thing to do would be to contact Santander, point out their mistake and pay back the money. However there is a part of me that thinks its their mistake and considering how much they took off me for underfunding fee they can "whistle for it". It would be nice to get one over on the banks considering how quick they are to rip consumers off.

Why risk them lodging your overdraft as a default and destroying your ability to get credit when all you need to do is speak with them?

tadpole74

noh wrote: »

Was your account actually closed at the time the DD was taken?
Accounts with Santander are, in my experience, usually closed a week or so after the date of request.
Have you had a letter confirming account closure?

It is possible that your credit card DD was already in progress when you cancelled the account therefore could not be stopped. It may be that the DD was refused by Santander and that has not yet shown on yor CC statement.
Check your online banking with Santander to see (closing your accounts does not terminate online access) if the account is still active and if the DD was debited.

I haven't had confirmation letter yet so maybe it is technically still open. I just find it incredible that I phoned up to close the account and I wasn't given any information like it will take so many days to close, this DD will still be taken, you will recieve a letter etc etc.

tadpole74

dunstonh wrote: »

Why risk them lodging your overdraft as a default and destroying your ability to get credit when all you need to do is speak with them?

You are right, I just like to kick off as the most stupid things especially when a bank is being useless