Un-authorized closure of Bank Account

bugsy2k

Hi All,

Got something to ask, I will explain what's been going on and will then fire a question or two.

I recently did a switchover from Santander to Halifax Bank Account, when I went to Halifax (to firstly enquire about signing up) I asked them if I had to transfer everything from Santander to Halifax - they said no, you get to choose what comes over to us.

As we went through the signing up process, the chap asked me if I wished to keep my current Santander bank account open or shall we request to close it? I said, keep it open as I will be using it for other things, he then ticked the box and I had to sign the dotted line to agree.

As weeks went by, I got a letter from Halifax "All of your standing orders will transfer to us on 13th February 2012 and we have requested with Santander that your account is closed" At this point, I fled down to the Halifax and told them this must not happen, and the chap even put a note on the system, I asked him if I should go to Santander to tell them and he said "No, as that will confuse them, leave it in our hands".

I was therefore happy that my account would not go anywhere.

Two more weeks went by and I decided to check my Santander account to make sure my finances were still in order, to my horror, all my money was no longer there and my account was missing, I got in touch with Santander who said that they recieved a request from Halifax to close my account and they could not re-instate my account! They said a cheque with the remaining money was on its way to me.

Now firstly, i'm obviously going to put in a big complaint about this with the Halifax, now do you think it would be worth me going further and trying to claim compensation? At the end of the day, my Sister had to bail me out to make sure id got money to get on with my life with, and i've had all this hassle when i've never asked for it....

Can I have some thoughts and if I should be complaining elsewhere about Halifax then can you please point me in the right direction.

Many thanks.

noh

The bit I don't understand is Santander closing your account on instructions from a third party ie Halifax.
I have never closed an existing account when switching but the option was there involving your new bank providing you with a letter to sign and forward to your old bank.
There is no way that Santander should act on any instructions unless they were issued by you.

Complain to Halifax and yes by all means ask for reasonable compensation.

bugsy2k

noh wrote: »

The bit I don't understand is Santander closing your account on instructions from a third party ie Halifax.

Same thought as well, somebody else has said that to me as well.

noh

I would also put in a written complaint to Santander regarding the closure of your account without your instruction.

bugsy2k

I certainly will be doing that! Many thanks!

Mikeyorks

bugsy2k wrote: »

Same thought as well, somebody else has said that to me as well.

That is countered by para 2 of the standard Switching details from Halifax? :

http://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/switch-to-halifax/

Whilst the £100 offer has expired - these are the identical T&Cs that applied at the time. The closure of the old account (if required) is bundled into the switching document you signed in Halifax. They provide template letters for you to send to our employer etc - in order to switch Credits. There's no such letter for you to close the old account ..... because it flows from the document you signed.

Doesn't help with which party got it wrong. But it's not a separate function with Halifax.

chugalongzoe

When I switched from Santandar to Halifax they asked me if I wanted to close the account myself or they can do it for me. I advised that I wanted to do it myself so then they sent me a letter template to send to Santandar if I wanted to cancel it which I didnt and I still have my Santandar account now.

I would honestly write a complaint to Santandar because I think they should have checked with you first because otherwise anyone can close you account.

calypso_rhapsody

I would guess that the critical thing here is which box on the form was ticked ... if you have signed on a dotted line alongside a tick in a box to close then you have given Santander instructions to close (albeit via Halifax). If on the other hand the ticked box is the one to keep it open then frankly both banks are at fault. So i'd ask to see the form.

As to compensation - assuming that they are at fault - you certainly can seek full recovery of all costs incurred (mileage, parking, telephone calls etc) plus an amount for your time (I have a vague feeling that £10 an hour is accepted practice but i may be wrong) and a goodwill payment for the hassle. It won't make you rich but hopefully you can buy your sister a thank you pressie!