Co-op bank, a WARNING.

Padstow

Like many I moved to them rather than my income, in my case guaranted state pension, be snatched by my creditors.
All good, took only ten minutes.

Then the problems began, and this is a highly abridged version as my card has been declined many more times than stated here.

First shame. My Co-op debit card was declined for shopping groceries on the day my pension was paid in and showing as my balance.

Explained to me at the call centre that pending debits had declined it. Two days later the internet balance showed three times the amount than the day my card was declined. No further deposits had been made. Where did that money come from? My card should have not been declined.
Now offered text service to aquire up to date balance.

Further declined cards, more shame.

Two days ago a very large deposit was made to my account. No clue as to who, though I can guess, just the date and amount.

Limped with little fuel to fill up, and card declined at the pump as invalid. More shame in front of the queue.

I am tired of the creaky old Co-op bank and so wish I'd have opened an account with such as the NatWest before I went under.

To all you of you who know where you are heading, please seek other bank accounts rather than the Co-op.

jackyann

Have been with the Co-op all of my adult life and found them excellent & helpful.
Great shame you had such bad experiences, but like the recent FD thread here, we need to share all.
Incidentally, I have never made "pay at pump" work, with any card! Always assumed there was a class you had to attend to understand it.

I do hope you sort it out.

BugsyBrowne

jackyann wrote: »

Have been with the Co-op all of my adult life and found them excellent & helpful.
Great shame you had such bad experiences, but like the recent FD thread here, we need to share all.
Incidentally, I have never made "pay at pump" work, with any card! Always assumed there was a class you had to attend to understand it.

I do hope you sort it out.

That's because you have the wrong card by what other threads have said about this offline/online saga.

Padstow

jackyann wrote: »

Have been with the Co-op all of my adult life and found them excellent & helpful.
Great shame you had such bad experiences, but like the recent FD thread here, we need to share all.
Incidentally, I have never made "pay at pump" work, with any card! Always assumed there was a class you had to attend to understand it.

I do hope you sort it out.

Hi jackyann, what is the FD thread please?

I have always been ok with Barclays as you are with the Co-op, unfortunately due to BC and all that.

I too found the Co-op staff very helpful and marked them 5 out of 5, cannot fault them. It appears to be the antiquated system that's at fault.

I've always paid at the pump till now.

There have been problems with Co-op but I thought it had been solved.

savagej

The pay at the petrol pump problem should only happen if your card starts 4508. They can only change it to a card starting 4988 if you have a current account and not a cashminder account.

The odd deposit you will have to take up with the bank.

The pending debits, either match up with the debits when they hit your accounts or 4 working days in general after the transaction.

CKhalvashi

jackyann wrote: »

Have been with the Co-op all of my adult life and found them excellent & helpful.
Great shame you had such bad experiences, but like the recent FD thread here, we need to share all.
Incidentally, I have never made "pay at pump" work, with any card! Always assumed there was a class you had to attend to understand it.

I do hope you sort it out.

I've never had [EMAIL="pay@pump"]pay@pump[/EMAIL] work on any card either, and I've got a selection of about 20 scattered around my wallet.

Co-op are used for 2 charities I am a trustee on, and I've never had a problem with them.

CK

BugsyBrowne

CKhalvashi wrote: »

I've never had [EMAIL="pay@pump"]pay@pump[/EMAIL] work on any card either, and I've got a selection of about 20 scattered around my wallet.

Co-op are used for 2 charities I am a trustee on, and I've never had a problem with them.

CK

I always thought a debit card was a debit card TBH until I read the threads which indicated that online cards were issued to poor credit scorers.

Which Is still a bit silly IMO.

callum9999

A significant number of people have moved to the Co-op to avoid creditors? Really? Why?

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

callum9999 wrote: »

A significant number of people have moved to the Co-op to avoid creditors? Really? Why?

I am also intrigued by Padstow's claim.

mjm3346

callum9999 wrote: »

A significant number of people have moved to the Co-op to avoid creditors? Really? Why?

Because the money they are trying to avoid paying is probably owed to one of the other big banks and if they bank with them as well then money can be taken direct from their accounts.

Padstow

The Co-op card is indeed a 4508 whereas the Barclays debit card always used to purchase at the pump is 4539.
Just to say, i am not avoiding my two creditors as I am in touch with them on a regular basis. they know that i have been through a sudden life changing experience and so far have been very reasonable.
There is no question of them not being paid as there is considerable equity in my home, I just need a buyer and then they'll be paid.

I changed my account on the advice of National Debtline, as BC could have dipped into my pension at Barclays, leaving me without means to live on.
Good to hear that others are satisfied with the Co-op, so perhaps just teething problems. Shame I have to withdraw cash now as i'm too nervous of having the card declined again.