Dormant Account

Euskaltel

I lived in New Zealand for a year on a working holiday. I had a First Direct account with one direct debit of £60 going out each month. This was fine whilst i was in credit but as soon as i dipped into my overdraft i was sent a letter stating that as no money had been paid into my account for a few months (even though i had only just gone into my overdraft) i would have to pay some money in asap or else they would close my account. Fair enough, so i telephoned them and asked where i could pay money in. At first they said one of the branches of HSBC in NZ but when i went to the bank they wanted to charge me a fee in NZ (30NZ dollars)and told me i would be charged also by First Direct in UK (i think £20). So i got a relative to put money in (in the UK)to get me back in credit as i wasnt prepared to pay the charges i was quoted. They then told me i would have to pay money in each month if i went into my overdraft or my bank account would become dormant. I calculated that i would be in credit until Nov and that i wouldnt be over my overdraft when i returned. When i returned in Jan i was told that my account was non-active and i had to repay the ammount (£400) i was overdrawn as, again, i wasnt prepared to pay these charges each month. My pleas for a little common sense and promises to clear the debt that day fell on deaf ears and i was sent various forms to fill and threatened with "agency" intervention if i didnt return my card (which i did) and submit a monthly repayment ammount. My question is mainly..."will this shambles affect my ability to open another account? but also "is it worth a compliant to them?"as i feel again that, considering they knew my position, a little commom sense should have been applied. I was also amazed to find, today, a letter from First Direct informing me that my mortgage application has been received and is under review. As i have been in NZ for a year and filled in no such form a telephone call revealed that this "may be a mistake on our part" and could I please return the letter to them for investigation.....So we all make mistakes!