Halifax keep palming me off every time I try close my account?!

opinions4u

K_P83 wrote: »

If i would want to know "extras" i'd ask "is there any reason i should not close this account". If i don't ask this & i'm only asking how can i close an account, then bizarrely enough, i'm ONLY wanting to know how to close an account. I'm not interested in extras.

Jesus, this could become a dull forum very quickly.

The extras will often be what opens somebody's eyes to an alternative course of action that could provide them with an alternative or even save them money.

For example, the OP may find keeping an Electron card a good idea if he plans on booking flights with certain "low-cost" airlines. It's not easy to get an Electron card anywhere else and I'm not even sure if Halifax issue them on new accounts these days.

Mikeyorks

Going into a Halifax Branch to close accounts - can be prejudicial to your sanity. We've had to close 2 that way in the last 4 years - both turned into traumas courtesy of Halifax staff.

Closed a Probate account in Branch. Signed the closure doc with the right reference on and saw the funds transferred to my current account. Came home and transferred the funds to the beneficiaries. Online the next day noticed the Probate account was still open and the closing interest had simply disappeared. Two days later the transfer to my current account had similarly disappeared - leaving the account with all the funds still available. Rang the Branch and asked if they really wanted to gift me the money? If not to close it properly, please. Rang me back to 'check their understanding'. Two days later they closed my current account - complete with 14 active DDs etc!

Fast forward a couple of years. Sent the OH into Branch to close off her Guaranteed Saver, that had proved useless as it took up to 5 days to xfer funds to adjacent Halifax accounts. Bit of paper in her hand to show which account to be closed and where the proceeds were to go to. Returned with a receipt for the correct value - and I checked that sum (capital + correct interest) had gone into the requested account. A few days later - when the Guaranteed saver was still open - I checked more carefully. To find the transfer value had been taken from her current account! At least we got £100 compensation for that one.

WRITE to close your account - as rb10 recommends. Much safer.

YorkshireBoy

Mikeyorks wrote: »

WRITE to close your account - as rb10 recommends. Much safer.

Perhaps they recognise that themselves, being as the Cardcash account T&Cs clearly state...

You may close your account at any time by giving us notice. Notice should be given in writing to Halifax, Trinity Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX1 2RG.

http://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/pdf/cardcash-expresscash-guide.pdf (page 3 so not too much reading to do!)

Nine_Lives

opinions4u wrote: »

Jesus, this could become a dull forum very quickly.

Maybe so, but it's a bit sad that it took 23 posts before OP got an answer. Give your extras if you wish, but at least answer the question in the process. First reply didn't even answer it full stop. Your reply was to go into branch - OP had tried this. OP had also tried the phone, so what remains after that? Hello people .... as post #23 said - letter.
Give your extra information if you wish, but not at the cost of answering the question at hand. Seems too many people just plain ignored it.

EDIT: I'm not saying you didn't answer the question, as YOU did (it's just that the OP had gone in branch any way), but SOME people just didn't even bother to answer it.

jalexa

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

Perhaps they recognise that themselves, being as the Cardcash account T&Cs clearly state...

That is a helpful post. Would also be helpful if the Halifax staffers got to page 3 since that was not the advice offered by at least two members of staff.

opinions4u

jalexa wrote: »

That is a helpful post. Would also be helpful if the Halifax staffers got to page 3 since that was not the advice offered by at least two members of staff.

Not sure who the Halifax staff members are, but a form signed in a branch does the same job as page 3 of those T&Cs.

The branch staff have either been in a "can't be arsed" or "don't know cos so much has changed recently" frame of mind.

jackjones01

K_P83 wrote: »

Original Post
Original Poster
Orange Peel. Joking. :beer:


This seems to be a bit of a trend on MSE though i find - dragging things out.
Discussions could get dragged out all day long & we could end up discussing every possible eventuality, when all the OP will want is to know how to go from A to B.

If i would want to know "extras" i'd ask "is there any reason i should not close this account". If i don't ask this & i'm only asking how can i close an account, then bizarrely enough, i'm ONLY wanting to know how to close an account. I'm not interested in extras.



It's like the "for-fun" thread in the houses forum the other week when someone asked about house prices 10yrs from now (or something to that effect). It was a simple yes/no question.

Yet people had to go over the top & turn it into some sort of serious debate, which if in person, would be a "heated discussion". It's nonsense.

When since has anyone on MSE ever got a straight answer as you can imagine everyone on MSE has different opinions on dealing with certain things even the best way to close a bank account.

Nine_Lives

jackjones01 wrote: »

the best way to close a bank account.

The best way is by default the way that works If calling & going in person doesn't work, that leaves one other option. Unless hacking the system & erasing yourself is a backup option

Little_Mo_70

nantoniou wrote: »

I Agree. But my problem is, I keep getting palmed off by Halifax, saying I cant close such account in branch, I have to ring up *sigh*

Take a letter with you to the bank tomorrow and hand it in to the cashier at the counter. Then leave.

Dear bank

This is to notify you I wish to close my account number.........
I have tried, several times, to do this by telephone and personal visit, as advised by your staff. Neither method works.

I am at a loss as to how hard it actually is to close this account and would appreciate someone in authority dealing with my simple request to close it.

Please respond to this letter in writing as soon as possible.

Yours

opinions4u

Little_Mo_70 wrote: »

Take a letter with you to the bank tomorrow and hand it in to the cashier at the counter. Then leave.

Dear bank

This is to notify you I wish to close my account number.........
I have tried, several times, to do this by telephone and personal visit, as advised by your staff. Neither method works.

I am at a loss as to how hard it actually is to close this account and would appreciate someone in authority dealing with my simple request to close it.

Please respond to this letter in writing as soon as possible, confirming the account closure and proposing a suitable amount of compensation for the time and effort I have had to put in to this so far.

Yours

Good one. Added a bit!