Can you shut down Santander accounts if you've been blocked?

Nine_Lives

* apologies if i've used any incorrect terminology that's confused anyone. Please read on as it should explain what i'm asking...

I was in my online account last night & transferred some money out as my sister needed a loan. It was a couple grand.

I then log into my account 5 mins later to find the account has been blocked. Call this number. This is the, i don't even know how many 'th time this has happened & i'm fed up of it.

Now before we drift off topic & start talking about call plans, no, 0845 calls aren't free on this phone plan. As i'm not the bill payer it's not my decision to move elsewhere. I'm sick of paying to have to unblock the account & i'm sick of just having to call time & time again.
It's ok whilst i'm off work as i can call at "quiet times", but i'm hopefully set to go back in a couple weeks, which will limit me to busy times only - and 30 minutes on hold & all the rest. The time isn't even the main issue, i'm just sick of having to constantly unblock.

I recently transferred just over £10k into and then out of my Halifax. They didn't whinge about it one bit. Unlike Santander. (for anyone who likes to stick on specifics, please don't stick on the word "whinge").

So i wont be calling. But at the same time, i know they can't lift the block in branch, as my gf tried having hers lifted & they said they can't do it.


So i'm looking at shutting everything down, closing all 6 accounts & taking the money elsewhere as i'm fed up with this.

I'm in town on Saturday, so i'll look at doing it then. Unless i've calmed down & had a re-think. Rates aren't everything.

So my question is simple - can it be done, or does the block need to be lifted first?

AidanBW

I've just had mine blocked as well.......
And I think it's only for a £160 payment coming in........

- They've got to be having a laugh....... :mad:

Sorry I can't help on whether you're able to close the account not, but why not just try going in branch and giving it a go?- since they're unable to lift the bar on online services, maybe they won't even be aware that it is there...... - Worth giving a go but doubt it

As for high- cost 0870 or any other national numbers, have you tried SayNoTo0870.com - they provide a whole database of alternative numbers (direct numbers in to the call centres) which are at cheap local rates, free or are free numbers for overseas customers (in which you can use your mobile)!

Hope this helps.
A

AidanBW

From the confirmed numbers database:
"0845 600 4388 = 01908 238013

(Santander Online Banking helpdesk - Also for 0845 6021582
(Santander Cards UK ONLY call Geo using a MOBILE !! )"

Old_Git

Is the account blocked or just the online bit.

pinkdalek

The branch may not be able to remove the block, however they should let you use their telephones to contact the relevant department. I don't work for Santander however we would offer this to our customers when such problems arise.

If the block on your account does not stop you from using it for every other day to day things eg debit card, ATM access, paying bills then I don't see why you couldn't close it down in branch as the block may just relate to your online/telephone banking.

steve1980

The large transfer will have blocked your account. You will need to speak to their Fraud department.

Raise a complaint via their website and they will call back the same day/next day with compensation.

You obviously aren't happy with them so why are you still with them?

GooliesOfFire

Oh Santander. Talk to them first and see whether they can do anything about it so it won't happen again (it's a bit of hassle to move 6 accounts after all so if they can fix it then let them). If not then go somewhere else mate. As you said the rates are not everything. You want a hassle free account.
Personally I haven't had any bad banking experiences since I left Santander. But I had only 1 account with them so easy to switch.

As for your blocked account. I think only your access to online banking is blocked and your account is fully operational and money still can be received or withdrawn from the accounts using i.e. ATMs or in branch. So I believe it can be closed in branch.

simax

I had experience of that as well during my time with them... I rang them about a FP I made to my ex-wife and the guy offshore asked me if I knew there was £300 leaving my account every day by FP to a LTSB account. I told them yes it was me as I was moving to another bank and this was the easiest way for me to move £1200. They got all sh*tty about it and said they were going to block my account because of it. I asked why? I was authorising the payments so what was the issue? The reply? They didn't want me to leave the bank.

Petty.

As it stood I had £300 left so withdrew that from the cashpoint in work 10 mins later and it let me have the money. I also successfully closed the account a few weeks later.

Nine_Lives

For anyone replying on this thread now - have a look at the date i posted this & have a look at when the first reply came in.

I gave up waiting on replies & the issue got sorted.

Santander have replied to my complaint (no compensation as suggested within this thread). Basically said that this is their system & tough luck.
Why then have such a crappy system when Halifax are quite happy for me to transfer 10k without crying about it?

As for why am i still with them - the problem got sorted the following day, plus have a look at their rates vs other providers rates. I've never had an issue with Santander's savings accounts, only their accounts which require managing (i.e. 1k per month).